One common question we get asked is, “How can I use my external hard drive to backup and/or transfer files between a Mac and a PC?” Generally, there are 2 ways.
When you format the drive using the FAT file system, the drive will be recognized on all Macs and all PCs. The downside to using FAT is that it will not support any file larger than 4GB.
The other option is to use exFAT. exFAT is the better alternative to FAT, in most cases, because it is able to handle a file larger than 4GB and will work with both Mac and PC. One limitation to exFAT is that it will only work with newer operating systems: OS X 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or higher, and Windows Vista and newer.
NOTE: A Mac computer is able to see NTFS partitions. This means that you can view any files from an NTFS hard drive on a Mac, but you will not be able to save or edit the files.
It is important to note that any programs you use will not transfer from one computer to another. If you have files on one computer that require a certain program to view and edit, you will need the same or a compatible program installed on the other computer.
If you have any questions about what the right option for you is, feel free to contact us or come into our store to speak to a technician.
How can I use it on a mac and pc?
One common question we get asked is, “How can I use my external hard drive to backup and/or transfer files between a Mac and a PC?” Generally, there are 2 ways.
When you format the drive using the FAT file system, the drive will be recognized on all Macs and all PCs. The downside to using FAT is that it will not support any file larger than 4GB.
The other option is to use exFAT. exFAT is the better alternative to FAT, in most cases, because it is able to handle a file larger than 4GB and will work with both Mac and PC. One limitation to exFAT is that it will only work with newer operating systems: OS X 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or higher, and Windows Vista and newer.
NOTE: A Mac computer is able to see NTFS partitions. This means that you can view any files from an NTFS hard drive on a Mac, but you will not be able to save or edit the files.
It is important to note that any programs you use will not transfer from one computer to another. If you have files on one computer that require a certain program to view and edit, you will need the same or a compatible program installed on the other computer.
If you have any questions about what the right option for you is, feel free to contact us or come into our store to speak to a technician.
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