Can I transfer files from a PC to a Mac with this or is it formatted only for one or the other?
1476061
It depends on the Mac OS Newer (Past 5 Years) OS will recognize NTFS Format
457650
I specifically purchased to back up my MacBook. I am unsure if you can reformat it to use it with a PC.
545043
Thanks for the info. I have a mac I was going to use but now i'm just going to use my family's computer which is a pc.
448603
after further investigation you may need a easy transfer cable from mac to mac. usb cable is good for mac to external hard drive.
68118
Since Mac and PC are different file structures and associations its not straight forward. you can go from PC(windows) to a Mac(running windows) or a Mac(windows programs) to a PC(windows). Anything else you'd need a 3rd party translation program. I don't know of any that are 100%. Even basic files like word documents don't always transfer properly from Mac to PC unless both do windows.
1890677
You should be able to access most files that have a common app (Mac and PC) - the challenge will be saving any updates. Typically PC formatted external drives are FAT32, which will convert to the MAC, but not able to be write enabled back. The exception will be music and photos, they should be available for iTunes and iPhoto imports.
431532
Yes. If you format the drive to NTFS, the PC will be able to write and read the drive, and the Mac will be able to read it (but not write to it). Your best bet, if you want to be able to read and write on both PC and Mac, format the drive in exFAT (NOT FAT32, since this is an outdated file type).
2146739
The drive is supported, it comes formatted in fat32. You can reformat to mac only or exFat if you want. USB 3 is not supported on macs (yet, you'll need a new mac), but the drive works just fine.I have 2, use them both on mac's and pc's with no issues. Great drive, really fast even on usb2.
19662
I've had no problem transferring with mac USB port. Just follow instructions, must save as a file in documents and open as attachment.
953783
I think the question is does the drive come preformated for Mac or PC or do you have to format it for either OS and setup two partitions if you want to use it across platforms.
135685
I am an idiot- specifically, how do you format this for a Mac? Also, is it fine to do this, or should I buy a specific hard drive already formated or designed for Macs?
1156436
Yes, mine was a Mac formatted drive and is now just an external I use for backup for my MacBook pro.
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.
805305
I am using this on a mac without any issues. I've never tested it on a PC so I cant say one way or the other.
244510
you can format it for either or. If you formatted windows you'll only be able to read the files on a Mac. You won't be able to right to it from a Mac and vice versa.
515166
I use this strictly to do OSX backups using TimeMachine. This drive is formatted for use with Apple computers and is not formatted to be accessed by PCs. I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish, whether it is backing up data using backup tools or just trying to copy files to an external drive that either system can read. Regardless, this is not a good, cost effective, starting point for you. You would need to totally reformat the drive and consider if your PC supports USB 3 because this drive is built to support that higher transfer rate.
576186
when i purchased mine it was formatted for mac. In windows i had to format it in disk management to fat32 to work for both mac and windows.