This product is listed as 'unformatted.' Will I be able to transfer files between Mac and PC or will I need to format it for one or the other?
466489
I'm not sure, I am currently using the external hard drive with Windows Vista and Windows 8 and it works fine. I actually the portability since it don't need a power source except the one it's coming from when is connected to your device. I think it will work as soon as you plug it in. But the box does bring instructions on how to use it for both domains
466490
If you want to transfer files between Mac and PC, you need a file system readable for both of them such as FAT32. The problem is it will limit file size on the hard drive to 4GB.
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if you want to be able to read and write on both PC and Mac, format the drive in exFAT (NOT FAT32, since this is an outdated file type).
1555711
This drive comes formatted to work with a Mac. You would have to reformat it to work with a PC.
2248134
They are formatted for for PC but work fine with MAC - you could use Disk Utility to reformat them for MAC if you wanted to but there is no real reason to do so
391345
Yes, it's compatible. It doesn't require formatting. Just place it into your phone, and off you go! If you currently have a card in the phone, you may want to transfer the data to the new card. (I'm not too sure how that would work on a MAC, but I'm sure that because all you're really doing in copying from one to the other, it doesn't matter). Have fun!
1944386
Yes. It can be reformatted if not in the correct windows format. I only two formats I know are FAT-32 (Mac and pc) and Windows NT (Mac read and PC readwrite).
135688
If you have a PC, you will generally format this drive using the NTFS file system. A Mac can only read NTFS formatted drives, but can not write to them.If you format this drive to FAT32, both PC and Mac will be able to read/write to it.*the limitations of FAT32 however, prevent a single file size being greater than 4Gb
1802749
It will work on a mac computer. Check the file system when you get it. If it is NTFS, yes you will have to reformat. If it is fat32 you can use it in the mac straight away. Either way, I would recommend you reformat it to exfat because fat32 has a much smaller file size limitation.
2186784
It comes formatted for PC (NTFS), but like most hard drives, it can be formatted with the Disk Utility on a Mac to HFS+. First link from Bing gives a good walk through of how to format it: http://www.ehow.com/how_2063795_format-hard-drive-mac-os.html Hope that helps!
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.
301968
Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here: http://www.hgst.com/support/faqs/how-format-my-drive-mac-only-hfsHope this helps.Tim Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here:... » Read More Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here: http://www.hgst.com/support/faqs/how-format-my-drive-mac-only-hfsHope this helps.Tim « Show Less
684979
Yes you can. When you go to format it make sure you set it to be used on both macs and pcs.
1841457
You didn't say if the drive was formatted with HPFS or NTFS or FAT32. You also didn't say whether Windows prompted to format the drive when you plugged it in. FAT32 is compatible with both Mac and PC so I would recommend converting to that file system. The only caveat is that the largest file size is 4GB in FAT32. Another thing to check is whether enough power is being provided to the drive through the USB port of what I assume to be a laptop PC. You may need to use a powered USB hub.
603727
Can't help with any specific advice as I am using my drive with a Mac, but I can't see why there would be a problem. If you received a drive pre-formatted for a Macintosh, then doubtless, you need to use a Windows program to reformat it. Good Luck!
1944722
If you're running a mac, use the disk utility to see what format it is. If you need to reformat it you can use FAT32 or MAC OS Journaled. http://macs.about.com/od/applications/ss/diskutilformat.htm
800770
This drive is probably formatted for a PC only. I purchased one that would not work on a Mac and returned it. Look closely at the descriptio and see that it work on the Mac OS.
1614114
The flash drive would work just fine. It is how you format the flash drive that will determine how it will handle between the 2 computers. If you format it as FAT32 then it will be usable between the 2 systems but a file cannot be larger than 4GBs. If you format it as NFTS then it will be able to be used fully on the PC but the Mac will only be able to read the files (but cannot add more files to the flash drive). The files on this format can go up to 16GBs each. Hope this helps.