Fastest External Portable USB 3.0 Drives?

[stuman74]

I am looking at getting an external USB 3.0 drive. Probably portable smaller format, but won't rule out the 3.5" versions with the power cord.

What are the fastest (and reliable) drives? Seagate? WD? Thanks!

 

[smitbret]

I can just tell you that my 2TB Toshiba Canvio Desktop gets a good sustained rate of 110MB/s to 120MB/s and will peak a smidge more than that.

 

[garym]

I have used one of these



Referral link deleted

 

[stuman74]

Thanks for both of your feedbacks. I used to have a 640 GB Canvio 2.0 and it was solid (just slow). I was looking at the newer USB 3.0 Canvio as well in 1.0 TB and 1.5 TB. Some mixed reviews. Mainly I want fast speed because I may hook it externally to a Mac Mini.

I currently use a Seagate GoFlex 1.5 USB 3.0 for TimeMachine backups to the house MacBook Airs which has worked well. I wonder how fast a USB 3.0 to USB 3.0 transfer speed would be?

 

[lagokc]

Well the fastest would be something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1DS0JJ2628

with a solid state drive inside it.

 

[Remobz]

Well the fastest would be something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1DS0JJ2628

with a solid state drive inside it.

Sweet.

Now, to find a decent reliable one.

 

[garym]

Sweet.

Now, to find a decent reliable one.

And the outlandish money to afford one with a decent amount of storage

 

[stuman74]

Well the fastest would be something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1DS0JJ2628

with a solid state drive inside it.

Correct, an SSD would be the fastest, but way out of my budget. I actually have SSD inside all of my computers, but for the backups or mass media storage, spinning USB 3.0 drive should be fine (as long as it's not a total crawl).

 

[TheStu]

I can just tell you that my 2TB Toshiba Canvio Desktop gets a good sustained rate of 110MB/s to 120MB/s and will peak a smidge more than that.

I have the 1TB 2.5" one, it gets about the same, a hair over 100MB/s sustained.

 

[lagokc]

Correct, an SSD would be the fastest, but way out of my budget. I actually have SSD inside all of my computers, but for the backups or mass media storage, spinning USB 3.0 drive should be fine (as long as it's not a total crawl).

Personally I wouldn't trust USB drives for backups or mass media storage, they tend to be hard on drives.

 

[stuman74]

Well, I just ordered this at my local BB for pickup for $60.99 (on their Clearance website). Seems like a good deal?

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Basics-Portable-Drive/dp/B005J7YBRW


ALSO, what is a good Windows disk benchmark test? On my Macs, I use BlackMagic DiskSpeed Test.

 

[smitbret]

I use HDTune but Crystal seems to get a lot of play here.

 

[tweakboy]

I am looking at getting an external USB 3.0 drive. Probably portable smaller format, but won't rule out the 3.5" versions with the power cord.

What are the fastest (and reliable) drives? Seagate? WD? Thanks!

WD seagate is cheap like maxtor. gl