Description says this can be used for both pc and mac, but can it be used at the same time to backup a mac and a pc at the same time?
183921
I have three of these...one as a backup for my PC and another that I use as a main drive and a backup drive for my Mac. But if you mean backing up files on your Mac and PC, I have done it before as a network drive but when it comes to moving the drive and plugging it in via USB, somehow the PC didn't read the Mac Files, while Mac was able to read the PC files...but by switching things back in forth, I actually corrupted a drive that way and it had to be formatted. But network drive, I have backed up files from both PC and Mac just fine. I feel it's best to have external backup drives specifically for that computer...one formatted via Mac for the Mac and the other for PC.
183922
Yes you can. To properly use it in this manner, you need to create re-partition the drive into two partitions in a GUID partition table (GPT). It cannot be a basic master boot record (MBR) partition found on many Microsoft machines. Then format one as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and one as NTFS or if you're on an antiquated windows machine FAT 32 or FAT 16(which will not recognize drives larger than 2gb, but will work fine if you are partitioning one of the drives as less than 2gb). Once this is complete, you are done and ready to use on both Mac & Windows full time and simultaneously.
183923
I don't know for certain but I don't believe it is designed to be used in a shared hub environment. You can check Seagate's site, but it might be too specific a task. I personally haven't heard of mixed Macs and PCs on a USB3 hub. You can back them up separately without having individual partitions but it would still be one at a time.
183924
I have three of these...one as a backup for my PC and another that I use as a main drive and a backup drive for my Mac. But if you mean backing up files on your Mac and PC, I have done it before as a network drive but when it comes to moving the drive and plugging it in via USB, somehow the PC didn't read the Mac Files, while Mac was able to read the PC files...but by switching things back in forth, I actually corrupted a drive that way and it had to be formatted. But network drive, I have backed up files from both PC and Mac just fine. I feel it's best to have external backup drives specifically for that computer...one formatted via Mac for the Mac and the other for PC. I have three of these...one as a backup for my PC and another that I use as a main drive and a backup drive for my Mac. But if you mean backing up files on your Mac and PC, I have done it before as a network drive but when it comes to moving the drive and plugging it in via USB, somehow the PC didn't read the Mac Files, while Mac was able to read the PC files...but by switching things back in forth, I actually corrupted a drive that way and it had to be formatted. But network drive, I have backed up files from both PC and Mac just fine. I feel it's best to have external backup drives... » Read More I have three of these...one as a backup for my PC and another that I use as a main drive and a backup drive for my Mac. But if you mean backing up files on your Mac and PC, I have done it before as a network drive but when it comes to moving the drive and plugging it in via USB, somehow the PC didn't read the Mac Files, while Mac was able to read the PC files...but by switching things back in forth, I actually corrupted a drive that way and it had to be formatted. But network drive, I have backed up files from both PC and Mac just fine. I feel it's best to have external backup drives specifically for that computer...one formatted via Mac for the Mac and the other for PC. « Show Less
904713
I've only used it as a standalone hard drive copy device, but I believe you can use it as an external hard drive unit too. I'm using Mac OSX
301969
I re-read your question. It sounds like you want to use it on BOTH a MAC and a PC from interchangeably. One to do this which I am familiar with is to format the drive to FAT32. This makes it readable and writable by both mac and windows os...however there are file size limitations with FAT32...but as long as your files are smaller than a couple GB you should be good. There are other solutions....but would be best if you conduct the research yourself.
1614388
I haven't personally used the passport on both mac/pc. But in the past I used a pc at work and was migrating to a mac (and used a mac at home), and it was because WD drives were dual compatible, that I chose this brand. In my current case, I no longer work on a pc, and when I purchased my WD Passport, I purchased the one pre-formatted for mac - so I don't know if it (being pre-formatted mac) would work on a PC. I'd google around for an answer. There is a format choice that allows both mac/pc compatibility.
2081754
I wrote you a response (which is below) but I realized you might be confused as to what this product is. This isn't an external hard drive. It's a hard drive enclosure, it's basically an empty shell that holds a hard drive. You have to buy the actual drive separately You should be good in that direction PC to Mac. Windows uses the NT File System on it's drives, Mac's can read those files and copy them to the mac, but mac's can't write to a NTFS drive. So you couldn't add or save anything on to the drive. A solution for this would be to make a partition that's FAT32 both mac and windows can read and write to that, it's the file system flash drives usually have. Sometimes there's a 32GB limit on FAT32 drives so you might not be able to turn the whole drive into it. But you can partition one drive into multiple parts.
1974137
If you're using Time Machine for Mac, you should be able to backup multiple devices to one drive as long as you have enough space on the drive. It's not necessary to partition the drive for each computer's backup, but it is recommended (so your backup data doesn't get mixed up and corrupted).
1985365
Yes it can. Look it up online, (even before you get it) and you can figure it out. Basically using a PC format the drive to FAT or exFAT file system. This can be read on Mac and PC. I did this. Had a Mac, it broke and I switched to a PC, used this to transfer my backed up files afer formatting it correctly. I also have since used it to transfer docs between other's Mac's and my PC. Works great.
972986
I am using this external drive on a PC; sorry I can't say if it will work with a Mac. KAY
450046
The description for the 500GB model says "Preformatted hard drive is ready for immediate use with Windows and Mac." I don't have a Mac, but based on that, my guess is it should work on both.
348827
Yes, for data backups and file sharing works excellent with PC and Mac, this server is cross platform.
1792585
I do not have a MAC however on the PC and I believe it will apply to the MAC you can set up the array in various ways including 4 individual drives. I hope this helps. Ron
1518709
There are some HD's out there now that can run both Mac and PC platforms but they have to be partitioned for each platform. I want to say Click Free has one like this now. The best thing is to inquire with the manufacture before purchasing one. Or have one for your PC and one for your Mac.
1482353
I use it on my Macbook as a time machine drive. I just plugged it in and it backs my machine up without any manual steps. So it can be used as an external without using any of the software that may have been on the drive. I hope this helps
1383192
i have this on my iMac using time machine to back up everything. But, there is the Seagate Dashboard program that may be able to do what you need...here's a link to some tutorials that may help you.. http://www.seagate.com/support/external-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/backup-plus-desk-mac/
1360488
Sorry but I've only used it with PCs so can't speak from experience but the manual does mention using it with a MAC
111625
On my computers (Macbook Air and iMac) this loads as a drive and I can backup or do anything else I can do regularly with any other type of drive with this unit, up to its capacity of 128GB. Note, though, that my experience is under MacOSX and not Windows. My sense is that it should work the same way with Windows but i have not tested it. Good luck.
816837
I have used it on both Mac and PC and have daisy chained it with other drives on FireWire. It will do everything you are asking about here.