Expansion desktop hard drive FAQs

The difference between an external hard drive and an expansion hard drive is in their design and user experience. A general external hard drive may require setup and vary in components, while an expansion drive, like the Seagate expansion desktop hard drive, houses a desktop hard drive in an external enclosure. It’s designed for ease of use with plug-and-play setup, built-in power management, and fast data transfer.

Yes, it’s compatible with both Windows and macOS systems. However, if you intend to use it with Time Machine on a Mac, reformatting is required.

The drive offers various storage options, ranging up to 24TB, making it ideal for managing large files, backups, and media libraries. Expansion desktop hard drive capacities include: 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 10TB, 12TB, 14TB, 16TB, 18TB, 20TB, and 24TB.

Absolutely. It features a plug-and-play setup—just connect the power adapter and USB cable to start using it immediately without additional software.

Yes, it’s compatible with many gaming consoles like PlayStation® and Xbox®, allowing you to store games on the drive. Some consoles require transferring over games to the console’s internal drive to play them.

Both external hard drives and USB flash drives offer certain benefits that will appeal to different users. Flash drives tend to be smaller and easier to transport, while an external hard drive offers superior storage capacity at a more competitive price point.

Yes, the Seagate expansion desktop hard drive works with both laptops and desktops. It connects via a USB cable, making it compatible with most Windows and macOS systems, regardless of whether you’re using a laptop or desktop. However, if you plan to use it with a Mac and Time Machine, reformatting may be required. Its plug-and-play setup makes it easy to use on either device type.

It depends on how you plan to use the hard drive. If you expect to be moving between workstations and want to bring your storage with you, a portable option might be better. If you don’t need the flexibility to transport your hard drive with ease, an external hard drive might offer a better fit.

Yes, the Seagate expansion desktop hard drive requires an external power source to operate. Unlike portable hard drives that draw power through the USB connection, the Seagate expansion drive needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet using the included power adapter to function. This allows it to provide higher storage capacities and improved performance.