Toshiba2TB Canvio Gaming - Portable External Hard Drive compatible with most PlayStation, Xbox and PC consoles, USB 3.2. Gen 1 Technology, Black (HDTX120EK3AA)

I must say I'm very pleased with this excellent little unit. It's small, USB powered, fast, stores a huge amount of data and is made by Toshiba (a make I trust).I got it for storing and consolidating sound samples for music making from various flash drives I have dotted around the house. Although flash drives are generally reliable (especially the SanDisk ones I normally use -- please see my separate reviews) I still like to have back ups so it was time to back up everything and have it all handily in one place, and this Toshiba Canvio Partner 4TB Portable 2.5" External HDD is perfect for the job. I absolutely couldn't be happier with my purchase.Speed-wise it's great for what I need it for. It's fast; very fast, and is the fastest drive I own (with file transfer speeds often reaching 130 MB/s [about 1.30 minutes to copy about 10 GB of data]). However, different files, quantities and sizes tend to copy at different speeds, which seems to be how Windows operates, rather than the device itself. Some of my files whizz onto the drive while others take a little longer, but the time factor isn't an issue with me as I just leave the copying process running while I do other things on my computer. This doesn't affect the copying so I'm happy to leave it running for as long as it needs. Maybe alternative models will transfer a little faster and maybe they won't, but as far as I'm concerned the speed of this one is more than adequate. To put a figure on it to give an idea of averages, a folder full of sound samples can copy between 70 MB/s to 110 MB/s, but a good folder of more even files can copy at a steady 110 MB/s to 120 MB/s. Please note the word 'copy' in the above as this is the function I use the drive for, and as such I haven't tried moving files (which may transfer faster).I invariably copy from USB 3.0 devices and as this is USB 3.2 the process is quick, but even on slower drives and SD cards it still isn't much of a bother. As above, I just set it up and leave it, as what's an extra bit of time here and there?Once the bulk of the copying is done all I need to do is back up newer files as I create or acquire them, which is a breeze. The smaller size (10.9 x 1.95 x 7.8 cm -- probably little more than an average laptop touchpad) and USB connection are great because now I can keep the drive in a little cupboard next to where I work so can quickly and without fuss hook it up to the computer whenever I need it, and then disconnect it and put it away just as quickly. Not having to plug it into the mains like my old external hard drives is definitely a plus.Copying couldn't be easier either as it works straight out of the box (bar formatting it to NTFS, which is seconds with the Windows Quick Format command) and is drag and drop. Straight out of the box means there's no drivers to install (certainly not on Windows 10 as I use). As such, it's a case of plug it in and then within seconds it's ready to use (and you can't get quicker than that!).The only downside (which isn't really a downside, but merely common sense when using a mechanical drive) is that it probably shouldn't be moved while copying. Saying that, I have had to move mine a couple of times, but have done so with utmost care and it seems to be okay.Regarding storage, it's plentiful to say the least. I have thousands of samples of varying lengths and qualities (of which a total I couldn't possible guess at, but it has to be well over 100,000, and probably considerably more -- probably a good few 100,000) but they've all gone onto the drive, as well as plenty of associated files, software back ups and all the music I've created. And according to the drive, I haven't even reached 2TB, so with 4TB capacity there's more than enough left over for any amount of adding to. 2TB is massive storage, and 4TB doubles it, so it'll take some filling unless one really crams it with massive files.I can't comment on reliability as I've only recently bought the drive, but Toshiba is usually fairly reliable and seems to have a good name for itself. I'm sure it'll last. Saying that, the drive is used on a near daily basis and works perfectly every time.Please be aware that no matter what capacity a drive is, when plugged into Windows the operating system invariably shows it as having less capacity than advertised, which seems to be just how Windows measures capacity compared to the manufacturer. It isn't indicative of a faulty drive or false advertising, and seems to be the same with any drive plugged into Windows.Please note too that no software comes with the drive, and that the instructions are in .pdf format on the drive itself.Also, as with most connected storage devices, it's highly recommended that instead of just plugging them out when finished, Windows' Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media feature is used instead to save data being corrupted if the drive is still being written too. This can normally be found in the taskbar beside the notification area. There may be a small delay until Windows indicates it's safe to remove the drive, but its usually not too long. This drive follows that convention too.So, an all round excellent purchase which I'm delighted with, and at a good price too. There's simply nothing negative I can say about this drive, and can safely say from my own experiences with it that it's entirely positive. As such, due to its many advantages I highly recommend it.UPDATE (Mar 2024) -- Still going strongI ordered this back in Dec 2022 and have used it nearly every day since for backing-up my ever-increasing collection of samples, installation files and music projects, sometimes three, four or more times a day, and it's still going as strong as ever. Also, it still copies much faster than any of my flash drives. Considering I'm constantly taking it out of the cupboard next to me and putting it away again, and having it balanced upon the arm of my chair while copying, it's proven to be remarkably reliable, and I've still got plenty of space left on it. It's been very much a worthwhile purchase.

Does exactly what it is expected to do. Decent capacity for the money paid. Fairly fast at in saving documents, photographs and movie clips. Plays straight out of the box with windows 10. I am happy with this piece of hardware. The USB lead provided measures a good 18" (46cm). I would buy this again if I needed one.

I had an external hard disk as backup for for important files I have on my old computers, and the phones as well. If the computer fails, or much worst, the hard drives or the phones, then the data cannot be accessed anymore. Well, there are recovery companies who could, but they are a bit too expensive, so about 400 quit to recon with.I put my important files on different disks, some is on USB sticks, others on an external SSE drive. Note that both of these are not built to last. SSE drives have a natural limit how often they can be written on before they fail. Just keep that in mind and keep your important stuff safe elsewhere.In the older days I used CDs or DVDs, because they last 20 years if you don't damage them, but with todays huge data amounts they are just too small, and they are out hence.So the home user has basically no more ways to keep the data safe, sort of. Anyone with a desktop PC can at least install a second hard drive and copy anything important on that, and after a time of a few years put a third drive in and copy all over again, so that system has less risk to completely loose all data. You could also use a raid system, but that ain't so easy and how long term redundant that really is I cant say. It has its own troubles. When its disks get old, they will fail too. So better buy a new disk in regular intervals for long term safety.Laptop and phone user have no other chance than a cheap desktop with new HD drive to transfer the files to, or external Hard Drives.My external drive messed up while copying from the SSE drive. It was not used more than 50 times and not old either. No way to get it back running, not even special recovery software could access it. Windows explorer just hangs up while the drive is running up, pull it out and windows goes on...I lost not much, because all my computers still run with many files on them, and from scanned documents I still have the paper originals. But don't ask how fast I can find them in the attic ...But lots of images and videos went lost, they were only on that drive due to size, my old computers have not so much free space. I will see what I lost only when I need it, too much to remember what I all had.Now with my old PCs data and the SSE drive and sticks still again at risk, no second copies, I had no other choice than again an external hard drive.I got this Toshiba, 1 TB.First to say, read the reviews, for sure the lower stars. To say it simple, these drives are small and get hot when running long, so big file users may want to think about something else, something more reliable, professional external storage drives, not cheap and tiny.Since I know that I copy my files now in small portions, which can still take 5 minutes per action, on my old PCs.The drive works, not much to say about, plug and runs (on Win 7 32 bit and Win 10 64 bit. Not tested on a Linux system, because Linux is not mentioned anywhere, inform yourself if that is your plan).It has a high speed for modern file transfer, so if I get better PCs it goes much faster (and less runtime or heat).I learned my lesson and in a few years I waste money on another external drive.And please, nobody tell me about clouds. Can't see why I shall give others my data or believe they take care for it for the next 20 years.If I could send my drive to China so they recover the files (which are for sure there) and send it back on another cheap drive, and that all for 50 quit in 3-4 weeks ... well ...Although it does its job, for the unknown reliability I leave a star off.

Nice little unit, feela a good quality case.My son's PS4 was full so we had to load the games onto this so he could update a few of them and have more space available.So far the games transferred quick enough and we've not had any issues with the games and he was able to update and load a few more games on aswell.I dont know if the blurb about them being designed for games specifically is true or not but I felt it was the better option Vs unbranded external HDDs. We have used an unbranded cheap HDD on another console but this PS4 is his main machine and I hope it will last longer being a branded item specifically designed for gaming.

Works well, was just what I wanted

Excellent value for money, good make and is very fast at transferring my movies, photos and documents, very happy customer, just what i needed.