An external hard drive offers convenience in a few important ways. It gives you a physical space to back up your files, making it a good way to protect your laptop’s information, especially any sensitive files that you do not want to back up online. You can also expand your Apple computer’s storage capacity with a handy Apple-compatible external drive. Plus, an external drive allows you to transfer large files to another computer with ease, even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection.

The main distinguishing features between types of external hard drive are the hardware of the drive (either a solid-state drive or a hard disk), the speed of the drive and the connector interface.

One of the most common interfaces is next-generation USB Type C technology. An external USB Type C drive can transfer at speeds 10 times faster than USB 2.0. For the very fastest speeds, however, and the ability to transfer audio and visual signals, you will want to look at an Apple external hard drive with Thunderbolt connector.

To find the best external hard drive for your Mac, you need to know how you will be using it. Will you be transferring large files that you don’t want to keep on your iPad or MacBook? Will you be playing audiovisual material off the drive? Will you be backing up files in the field, for instance, while filming with your DSLR or camcorder?

Most portable drives draw power from your computer. However, some larger ones need external power. For the latter, you will need access to an outlet. So, keep power sources in mind when choosing your drive. If you are working on the go, it can also be a good idea to carry a power pack to charge your electronics when batteries run low.

Once you have the best external solid-state drive or hard drive for you, take care of it by storing and transporting it properly. Fortunately, most drives fit easily in laptop backpacks. So, you can carry them without any additional hassle.