A backup portable drive, also known as an external hard drive, is a device that allows you to store data externally from your computer. It provides an additional storage location that can be used for backups, extra storage space, and data transfer between devices. Portable drives are small enough to be easily transported and connected to different computers via USB, making them very convenient for protecting valuable data and moving files between locations.
What are the Benefits of Using a Portable Backup Drive?
There are several key benefits to using a portable external hard drive for backups and extra storage:
- Additional storage space – External drives provide abundant extra storage for backing up files, storing large media libraries, or expanding the capacity of a computer.
- Portability – Their small size and USB connectivity makes portable drives easy to transport between locations and use with multiple devices.
- File transfer – Quickly move or copy files between computers by simply disconnecting and reconnecting the drive.
- Backup capabilities – Store backup copies of important data as an fail-safe against loss or corruption of the primary versions on your main computer drive.
- Durability and longevity – External HDDs do not have moving internal parts like larger desktop drives, making them more rugged and durable.
- Compatibility – Portable drives can be used to transfer and access data between Windows PCs, Macs, laptops, and other operating systems with USB connectivity.
- Security – Keep sensitive files stored securely on an external source that can be disconnected from your computer when not needed.
Having a backup of your important files on a portable external drive provides protection in case of computer problems. And being able to take your data on the go and access it from multiple devices makes portable drives highly convenient and versatile.
What Types of External Portable Drives Are Available?
There are a few common types of portable storage drives to choose from:
- HDD (hard disk drive) – HDDs use magnetic platters and a moving read/write head to store and access data. They provide high capacities for lower prices but are mechanical and less shock-resistant.
- SSD (solid state drive) – SSDs use microchip NAND flash memory with no moving parts. They are faster, lighter, and more durable but typically more expensive per gigabyte.
- Flash drives – Small thumb-drive style devices that use flash memory. Very portable but lower capacities.
- SD cards – Removable flash memory cards used in cameras, tablets, and some computers. Provide moderate capacities in tiny sizes.
The most common and affordable option for basic backup and storage is a portable HDD, which offers high capacities – often 1TB or more – at relatively low prices. SSDs are faster and more rugged but the capacities may be lower and prices will be higher per gigabyte. Flash drives and SD cards are incredibly small and portable, but better suited for transferring smaller amounts of files.
What Features Should You Look for in a Portable Drive?
Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a backup portable storage drive:
- Storage capacity – More capacity provides more backup space and flexibility but increases the price. 1TB is good for most users’ basic needs.
- Connectivity – USB 3.0 or USB-C connections offer much faster data transfer speeds than USB 2.0.
- Size and portability – Compact and lightweight devices take up minimal space and are easy to transport.
- Durability – Solid state drives and ruggedized HDDs better withstand shock, vibration, dust, water, etc.
- File management software – Built-in or downloadable software provides useful tools for backing up, encrypting, organizing files.
- Security options – Password protection and encryption safeguard sensitive data if the drive is lost or stolen.
- Compatibility – External drives should work seamlessly with your OS and devices.
- Price – Higher capacities and faster connection speeds come at a higher cost.
- Warranty – Multi-year warranties provide assurance in case of defects or drive failure.
Consider how you plan to use the drive and what features are most important for your use case. For simple backups and extra storage, a mid-range HDD with USB 3.0 and 1TB storage offers good value. If speed, durability and security are critical, look for an SSD with encryption.
How Do You Use a Portable Drive for Backups?
Using a portable external drive to back up your data involves a few simple steps:
- Connect the drive to your computer via USB cable.
- Open the drive in File Explorer or Finder and create folders to organize backups.
- Use the backup software built into your OS (like Windows Backup or Time Machine) to schedule regular backups to the external drive.
- Or use a third party backup program like Acronis True Image to customize and automate backups.
- Configure backups to run on a schedule, such as daily or weekly, to keep data current.
- Store the external drive in a safe place when not making backups.
- Consider encrypting sensitive backup data for added security.
Following a consistent backup routine with an external drive provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind if something happens to your main computer system or its internal drive.
Backup Software Options
Here are some top software choices for backing up to a portable external drive:
| Software | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Windows Backup and Restore | – Built into Windows OS – Simple wizard for configuring backups – Restores individual files or system image |
| Time Machine | – Built into Mac OS – Automatic hourly backups – Restores files or entire system to earlier state |
| Acronis True Image | – Advanced full system backup features – Offers cloud backup and mobile apps – Can clone drives and backup partitions |
| Carbonite | – Automatic cloud and local backups – Remote file access and sharing – Compliant encryption and security |
What Are the Main Brands of Portable Drives?
Some of the major brands manufacturing portable HDDs and SSDs include:
- Western Digital – Known for their popular WD Elements portable hard drives and My Passport series.
- Seagate – Seagate’s Backup Plus line offers capacious and affordable portable storage.
- Toshiba – Toshiba makes the popular Canvio series of portable HDDs.
- Samsung – Samsung SSDs are top performers for speed and durability.
- SanDisk – SanDisk produces the Extreme Portable SSD as well as flash drives and SD cards.
- LaCie – LaCie Rugged portable drives feature shock, dust, and water resistance.
- Adata – Adata exterior portable HDDs offer competitive cost-per-gigabyte value.
- Silicon Power – Silicon Power’s Armor portable drives include protective aluminum casings.
These top brands deliver quality, reliability, good performance, and solid value across their lines of portable storage devices.
Comparison of Popular Portable Drive Models
Here is a chart comparing some well-rated portable drive models from the top brands:
| Model | Type | Capacity | Interface | read/write speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD My Passport | HDD | 1TB – 5TB | USB 3.0 | 140 MB/s |
| Samsung T7 SSD | SSD | 500GB – 2TB | USB 3.2 | 1,050 MB/s / 1,000 MB/s |
| Seagate Backup Plus Slim | HDD | 1TB – 2TB | USB 3.0 | 120 MB/s |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro | SSD | 500GB – 1TB | USB 3.1 | 1,050 MB/s / 1,000 MB/s |
| LaCie Rugged Mini | HDD | 1TB – 5TB | USB 3.0 | 130 MB/s |
How Much Do Portable Drives Cost?
Costs for portable drives can range quite a bit depending on the type, storage capacity, and features. Here are some approximate price ranges:
- Lower-capacity flash drives and SD cards – $10 – $100
- HDDs in the 1TB to 4TB range – $50 – $200
- SSDs from 500GB to 2TB – $100 – $500
- High-performance SSDs with encryption – $200 – $1,000
- Ruggedized portable HDDs – $80 – $200
Factors such as brand, performance, warranty length, and accessories included can all impact the price as well. But typical portable HDDs and SSDs suited for basic backup tend to range from around $50 up to about $200, with SSDs at the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
How Do You Use and Maintain a Portable Drive?
Using and caring for your backup portable drive properly helps ensure it works reliably:
- Eject the drive safely – Always eject via the system menu before unplugging the drive to avoid data loss or corruption.
- Handle gently – Avoid excessive physical shocks and vibrations which can damage components.
- Keep clean – Use compressed air to dust the drive periodically to prevent particulate buildup.
- Stay organized – Keep backups in dated folders so you can easily locate file versions.
- Carry in a case – Use a protective case when traveling with the drive to minimize damage.
- Check for problems – Periodically scan the drive for errors and bad sectors.
- Store properly – Avoid humidity, direct sun, excessive heat, and magnetic fields.
- Refresh backups – Swap drives every few years to reduce the risk of failure.
Following best practices for handling, organizing, storing, and caring for your portable drive helps maintain reliability and lifespan.
What Are the Main Pros of Portable Backup Drives?
The biggest advantages of using an external portable drive for backup include:
- Extra storage space – External drives provide abundant, inexpensive storage for backing up large amounts of data.
- Peace of mind – Having an automatic backup on an external location protects against data loss if your main system is damaged.
- Easy file transfer – Quickly move files between devices by plugging the portable drive into different computers.
- Convenience – Compact size and USB connectivity makes portable drives highly convenient to store and carry.
- Compatibility – External drives work seamlessly across Windows, Mac, Linux, and other systems with USB ports.
- Durability – Portable drives based on flash storage or SSDs are very rugged, with no moving parts.
- Security – Keep your backups in a different location from your computer for better protection.
Having an external drive dedicated for backups provides a simple way to protect irreplaceable data and transport files conveniently between devices and locations.
What Are the Downsides of Portable Backup Drives?
Potential disadvantages include:
- Slower than internal drives – USB connections limit speeds, especially on cheaper HDDs.
- Malfunction risk – Any drive can fail, so portable backups should be mirrored locally or in cloud.
- Damage vulnerability – Portable drives are easily lost, stolen, dropped, etc. if not cared for.
- Varying durability – HDDs are fragile compared to rugged SSDs.
- Extra cost – External drives have an added cost compared to only using built-in storage.
- Less capacity – Limited capacities on portable drives compared to multi-TB internal drives.
- Cable dependence – USB cables can fail or detach accidentally.
While very useful, portable backup drives aren’t foolproof. Sensitive data should have redundant backup, and external drives treated carefully and replaced periodically as a precaution.
Conclusion
Backup portable drives provide an excellent way to easily protect valuable or irreplaceable data by storing it in a compact device you can take anywhere. External storage gives you extra capacity for backups, file transfer flexibility, and insurance against problems with your computer’s internal drive. With USB connectivity and ample capacities starting around 1TB, portable HDDs and SSDs have become a vital accessory for many consumers and workers who rely on access to their data. By choosing a reputable portable drive that fits your budget, using backup software, and caring for it properly, you can rest assured your important files will be protected if disaster strikes your computer.
