Laptop owners running out of space
An external drive can hold files moved off a crowded laptop. If those files matter, make sure moving them does not leave the drive as their only copy.
Who is this for?
People keeping a home photo archive
A portable HDD or SSD can hold a substantial photo and file copy. Plan where another copy will live and how you will check that you can open it.
People moving files between devices
If you use more than one computer, phone or tablet, check the ports, cable ends and disk format needed by the particular devices before buying.
What matters when choosing storage?
Choose the role of the drive first: a home backup copy, frequent large transfers or a smaller set of files carried between devices.
Portable HDD
Choose it for: a large photo or file copy kept mainly at home, when transfer speed is less important. Which? identifies HDDs with long-term computer-file backup.
Trade-off: SSDs generally transfer files faster, according to Which? An HDD still must not become the only copy of important files.
Portable SSD
Choose it for: regularly copying large folders or taking your files between locations, where faster transfers matter.
Trade-off: Which? says SSDs are usually pricier than HDDs; an advertised maximum speed also depends on the connection used.
USB flash drive
Choose it for: moving selected photos or documents between compatible devices, or keeping a supplementary copy.
Trade-off: check its capacity against the files you intend to carry, and do not make it the sole archive for a full photo library.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Decide which files remain on the laptop and where another copy will be kept. Check periodically that you can open copied files. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that an incident can affect connected backup drives too. | If my laptop or one drive becomes unusable, I need a separate copy from which I can recover my photos. |
| Capacity and transfer speed | Compare the size of your library with the drive capacity and how often you copy large folders. Which? distinguishes HDDs for long-term backup from generally faster SSDs. Check the host and cable conditions behind any stated speed. | For a growing archive, I care about room for the files; for frequent large transfers, I may care more about the time copying takes. |
| Ports and disk format | Match the drive connector and cable to each device. If using Mac Time Machine, check its disk-format requirements: Apple says it cannot back up directly to a disk formatted for Windows. | I want the drive to connect to the devices I actually use, without changing a disk format before I have protected files already on it. |
| Files carried between devices | Check the capacity needed for the selected files and whether both ends of the connection fit. A dual USB-C and USB-A flash drive is one option for devices with different ports. | When I only need to take a selection of photos or documents with me, a smaller transfer device may be enough alongside my main backup. |
What can go wrong?
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Moving files instead of backing them up
Deleting photos from the laptop after moving them to one external drive leaves just one copy.
Keep another copy separately, then open a sample of copied photos and files to check that they can be read.
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Keeping the only backup connected
The National Cyber Security Centre has seen ransomware incidents affect connected USB and network backup drives as well as the original files.
Safely eject a manual backup drive when copying is complete and keep it separate. If you use an automatic backup, maintain another protected copy.
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Judging speed by the USB-C connector
The connector shape alone does not establish the transfer capability of the laptop, cable and drive. Samsung says the T7’s stated maximum speeds require USB 3.2 Gen 2 support and UASP.
Check the laptop port, supplied cable and drive interface before choosing an SSD for a stated speed.
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Reformatting a drive that already holds files
Apple says Time Machine cannot back up directly to a Windows-formatted disk, so setting up a Mac backup may call for a format change.
Copy and check any files already on the disk elsewhere before changing its format. Decide whether it will be a dedicated backup disk or shared file storage.
Relevant brand references
Samsung
Samsung’s portable T7 SSD is relevant if you are comparing a faster-transfer route with a home backup drive.
- Samsung states maximum T7 sequential speeds of 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write.
- Samsung says those maximum figures require a USB 3.2 Gen 2-capable host and cable, with UASP enabled; they are not a speed promise for every laptop.
Toshiba
Toshiba’s Canvio Flex is a portable HDD line to consider when the connectors on your devices differ.
- Toshiba lists both USB-C and USB-A cables with Canvio Flex.
- Check the intended device and backup format separately; the supplied cable ends do not settle software compatibility.
SanDisk
SanDisk has a dual-connector flash-drive option for carrying selected files between compatible devices.
- The 128GB SanDisk Ultra memory stick has USB Type-C and USB 3.1 connectors.
- Check the size of the files you need to carry; this particular 128GB stick serves a different capacity need from a multi-terabyte backup drive.
Joybuy storage options
These portable SSD and HDD options are for making a photo or file copy or relieving laptop storage. Choose the capacity and connection for your setup, then keep another copy of important files separately.
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Samsung MU-PG4T0B 4 TB USB-C SSD, black
The 4 TB capacity is relevant to a large external photo copy. Its stated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface makes the laptop’s port capability worth checking if transfer speed matters; keep another copy of important files.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB, grey
This 2 TB USB-C SSD is an option for a portable photo copy. Samsung’s stated T7 maximum speeds require a suitable USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable with UASP enabled. Check the disk format if you intend to use Mac Time Machine.
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Samsung T7 Shield 1 TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 SSD, blue
The 1 TB capacity offers an external copy for a photo or file collection. Check that it accommodates your library, and confirm the connection and disk format for the devices you plan to use. A second copy is still needed for important files.
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SanDisk Portable SSD 2TB
This 2TB portable SSD is an option for carrying a sizeable photo or file copy. Confirm its USB connector, your laptop’s port and any disk-format requirements before relying on it in your backup routine.
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Western Digital Elements portable 4TB USB 3.0 HDD, black
The 4TB capacity makes this HDD an option for a large photo copy kept mainly at home. Check the connection and the disk format required by your computer before use, and keep another copy of important files.
Common questions
Is moving photos to one external drive a backup?
Not if the move leaves that drive holding the only copy. Keep a separate copy of important photos and check that you can open files from it.
Should I leave an external backup drive connected?
For a manual backup, safely eject and separate the drive after copying. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that ransomware has affected connected USB and network backup drives; if you use automatic backups, maintain another protected copy.
Can Windows back up photos to an external drive automatically?
Yes. Microsoft says File History can make regular backups to an external drive or network location. Set it up with the intended destination and check that the folders containing your photos are included.
Can a Windows-formatted drive also be used for Mac Time Machine?
Not directly: Apple says Time Machine cannot back up to a disk formatted for Windows. Check the Mac backup-disk requirements and protect any files already on the drive before changing its format.