Tag Archives: Mac

Accessories, Computers

Best External Drives of 2024: Top Picks and How to Decide

External portable drives are a great way to store and backup your data, especially if you need to carry it around with you. They are also useful for transferring files between different devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and consoles. However, not all external portable drives are created equal. Some are faster, more durable, more secure, or more stylish than others. In this blog post, we will review 7 of the best external portable drives that you can buy in 2024, based on their performance, features, design, and price.

Samsung T7 Touch

SAMSUNG T7 Touch portable SSD

If you are looking for a fast and secure portable SSD, you might want to check out the Samsung T7 Touch. This device offers impressive transfer speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s for read and write, respectively, thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and PCIe NVMe technology. It also features a fingerprint scanner and AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data from unauthorized access. You can unlock the SSD with a touch of your finger or with a password.

The Samsung T7 Touch has a sleek and durable design, with a metal body that can withstand drops of up to 2 meters. It also has an LED square that shows the status of the SSD at a glance. The device comes in two colors: black and silver, and three capacities: 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. You can use the Samsung Portable SSD software to set up your security options and get firmware updates.

The Samsung T7 Touch is a great option for anyone who needs a portable SSD that combines speed, security and style. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Android devices, and comes with a 3-year limited warranty. You can find more details about the Samsung T7 Touch on its official website or on various online reviews.

Samsung T7 Touch Specifications

User Manual: [PDF]: https://bit.ly/40Y0REV

WD My Passport

Western Digital My Passport External Drive

The WD My Passport is a reliable and affordable external HDD that offers ample storage space of up to 5 TB. It has a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface that delivers speeds of up to 140 MB/s for both read and write. It also comes with WD Backup software that lets you schedule automatic backups of your files to the drive or to the cloud. The My Passport has a stylish and colorful design that matches your personality. It also has password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption to keep your data secure. The My Passport is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

Crucial X8 Portable SSD 

Crucial X8 SSD

If you are looking for a fast and reliable external storage solution, you might want to consider the Crucial X8 Portable SSD USB 3.2 SSD. This device offers up to 4TB of storage capacity and delivers up to 1050 MB/s of read speed, thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and NVMe technology. The Crucial X8 is also durable and shock-resistant, drop proof up to 7.5 feet, extreme-temperature, shock and vibration proof with a sleek and elegant design that fits in your pocket. Whether you need to store your photos, videos, games, or documents, the Crucial X8 can handle it with ease and security.

The Crucial X8 supports Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One.

SanDisk Extreme Pro

SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a rugged and durable external SSD that offers blazing-fast speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s for both read and write. It has a USB-C interface that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 for maximum performance. It also has an IP55 rating that makes it resistant to water, dust, and shocks. The Extreme Pro has a solid aluminum core that dissipates heat and protects your data from high temperatures. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for compatibility with various devices. The Extreme Pro is available in 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities.

It also features a durable design that can withstand shocks, vibrations and extreme temperatures.

SanDisk Extreme Pro Specs

User Manual: [PDF]: https://bit.ly/3UcUBGC

LaCie Rugged SSD

LaCie Rugged Mini SSD

If you are looking for a portable hard drive that can withstand harsh conditions and offer fast data transfer speeds, you might want to check out the LaCie Rugged SSD. This drive is part of the LaCie Rugged family, which has been trusted by creative professionals since 2005 for capturing and transporting data in the field.

The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD USB 3.2 Type-C has a durable design that can resist drops, rain, dust, and crushes. It also has an IP67 rating, which means it can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. The drive has a capacity of up to 4 TB of storage space and uses a solid state drive (SSD) technology, which means it has no moving parts and can deliver faster performance than a traditional hard disk drive (HDD). The drive can reach speeds of up to 1050MB/s, which is ideal for editing and transferring high-resolution photos and videos in 4K.

The LaCie Rugged SSD has a versatile connectivity that works with USB4, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 3 devices. It comes with a USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter, so you can plug it into any computer or tablet. You can even use it with your iPad to expand its storage capacity. The drive also supports Seagate Secure technology, which encrypts your data with AES-256 encryption to protect it from unauthorized access.

G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD

G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD

If you are looking for a fast, reliable and durable external storage device, you might want to consider the G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. This is a solid state drive (SSD) that offers high performance, portability and protection for your data. Here are some of the features and benefits of this device:

  • It has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface that supports transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is twice as fast as USB 3.1 Gen 1. This means you can quickly access, edit and backup your files without any lag or delay.
  • It has a shock-resistant design that can withstand drops up to 3 meters and a crush-proof rating of up to 1000 pounds. This means you can take it anywhere without worrying about damaging it or losing your data.
  • It has an IP67 rating that makes it water and dust resistant. This means you can use it in various environments and conditions without compromising its functionality or performance.
  • It has a sleek and compact design that weighs only 0.19 pounds and measures 3.74 x 1.97 x 0.57 inches. This means you can easily fit it in your pocket, backpack or laptop bag and carry it with you wherever you go.
  • It has a capacity of up to 2 TB that can store thousands of photos, videos, music and documents. This means you can have all your important files with you at all times and free up space on your internal drive.

The G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C supports speeds of up to 1050MB/s Read and 1000MB/s Write, and is compatible with Windows / Mac operating systems and comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. It also comes with a five-year limited warranty that covers any defects or malfunctions.

If you are interested in buying this device, you can find it on Amazon for $299.95 for the 1 TB version and $499.95 for the 2 TB version. You can also check out the official website of G-Technology for more information and reviews.

How To Buy a Portable External Drive

How do you choose the best portable external drive for your needs? Here are some factors to consider:

Capacity

The capacity of a portable external drive is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), and it determines how much data you can store on it. The more capacity you have, the more files you can store. However, more capacity also means higher price and heavier weight. You should choose a capacity that suits your needs and budget. For example, if you only need to store some documents and photos, a 500 GB drive might be enough. But if you need to store large videos or games, you might need a 2 TB drive or more.

Speed

The speed of a portable external drive is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) or gigabits per second (Gbps), and it determines how fast you can transfer data to and from it. The faster the speed, the less time you have to wait for your files to copy or load. However, faster speed also means higher price and more power consumption. You should choose a speed that matches your computer’s ports and your usage. For example, if you have a USB 3.0 port on your computer, you should get a USB 3.0 drive that can transfer data at up to 5 Gbps. But if you have an older USB 2.0 port, you should get a USB 2.0 drive that can transfer data at up to 480 Mbps.

Durability:

The durability of a portable external drive is measured by its shock resistance and water resistance, and it determines how well it can withstand physical damage or environmental hazards. The more durable a drive is, the more likely it is to survive drops, bumps, spills, or extreme temperatures. However, more durability also means higher price and bulkier design. You should choose a durability that matches your lifestyle and expectations. For example, if you travel frequently or work in harsh conditions, you should get a rugged drive that can resist shocks and water. But if you use your drive mostly at home or in the office, you might not need such a high level of protection.

Design

The design of a portable external drive is measured by its size, weight, shape, color, and style, and it determines how easy it is to carry and use. The smaller and lighter a drive is, the more convenient it is to transport and store. The shape, color, and style of a drive are also important for aesthetic reasons and personal preference. You should choose a design that appeals to you and fits your needs. For example, if you want a sleek and stylish drive that matches your laptop, you might choose a slim and metallic drive. But if you want a fun and colorful drive that stands out from the crowd, you might choose a round and bright drive.

These are some of the main factors to consider when buying a portable external drive. Of course, there are other features that might interest you as well, such as encryption, backup software, warranty, or customer service. You should compare different models and brands of portable external drives based on these factors and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

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Disclosure: Please note that we may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below, at no expense to you, should you decide to purchase a paid plan. This blog does not provide financial advice, it is purely for entertainment and fun.

Internet, software

How to Recover Your Lost Data?

More and more often we find ourselves thinking about where we saved a specific file or folder. After all, between the PC, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and so many other gadgets, it’s easy to forget. However, even though this might be a pain, the truth is that the worst thing that can happen is that you figure out where you saved that file or folder and when you try to access it, it’s just not there. So, what happened to this file or folder? You just need it back at all costs.

The truth is that when you’re using a PC or a Mac, the first thing you need to do is to open the Recycle Bin or the Trash, respectively. And now, you suddenly discover that it’s not there. Your work is all gone. So, don’t get in despair right away. There are always solutions, and one of the best software to recover deleted files is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free.

Simply put, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is a very easy to use free data recovery software that helps you retrieve all those deleted files from different drives. You can now recover deleted files from your PC, Mac, laptop, but also from your SD cards, USB, digital camera, among so many others. And for free.

In order to recover deleted files, the first thing that you need to do is to install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free on your computer or Mac. They have a different version for each operating system, which is really great. So, just download the free data recovery software, install it, and run it.

The first thing that you’ll be asked to do is to select where you lost your data. In case it was on your laptop, just click the Local Disk. In case you can’t find it on a USB drive or an SD card, just make sure that you already have it connected to your computer and that you select it. Then, just press Quick Scan. This feature will probably allow you to recover deleted files. However, in case it doesn’t, you still have the option to use the Deep Scan. However, please notice that this will take a lot longer. Even though, you can always pause it and resume later.

One of the best things about the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is the fact that you can easily import and export the scanning results.

At last, when you get a list with all the files and folders that this free data recovery software was able to find, you can simply move them to your hard drive again. One thing that might be useful is to preview them before you recover them to make sure they are the files and folders that you’re looking for.

As you can see, there is nothing to be afraid of when you just notice that you deleted some files or folders by mistake or that you lost them when you needed to format your computer or laptop. With EaseUS EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free, you will be able to recover deleted files with ease. In addition, this free data recovery system works very well for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Applications, Social Media

WhatsApp on Mac or Windows: Another Milestone Achieved

WhatsApp is a free to use, cross-platform instant messaging application for the smartphones introduced in 2009 by former employees of Yahoo. It is used to make voice calls, sending text messages, video calls and sharing images, videos, audio files, voice notes, phone contacts, gif files and user location to other users by using the internet on your smartphone. You can either use it for personal chats or sharing media and apps with your loved ones, or it can also be used for business purposes.

 

Key features of WhatsApp:

  • Simple Messaging: You can chat or send messages for free to anyone in your contact list located anywhere in the world for free and avoid SMS charges.
  • Voice and Video calls: By using WhatsApp, you can make video calls to your family and friends for free even if they are located in other countries.
  • Share photos and videos: You can capture beautiful and memorable moments in your phone and share them with your loved ones instantly with the help of WhatsApp.
  • Group Chats: You can make various groups including your favorite people, maximum 50 people in one group to chat with them. This feature is very profitable for business as many people join different groups and share their products.
  • Secure Environment: WhatsApp uses end to end encryption, which makes it safe to chat and share stuff on WhatsApp because that message will stay between only you and the person you are talking to. Even WhatsApp can’t read or listen to your conversations.

WhatsApp now available for PC and Mac

For any business, handling it on the Mobile phone can be inconvenient at times, especially for the people who work on their computers at the same time as well. So, WhatsApp has launched a desktop version of WhatsApp for your Mac or Windows PC. So, Windows users should not get upset about the fact that they don’t have to use WhatsApp only on the small screen of their phones only, but now, they can use their Qwerty PC Keyboard and the big screen for using WhatsApp.

How to Download and Use WhatsApp on your Mac or Windows PC:

The Supported versions of WhatsApp on Pc are:

  • Windows 8 and Higher (32-bit version)
  • Windows 8 and Higher (64-bit version)
  • MAC OS X 10.9 and higher

There are few easy steps you need to follow to get WhatsApp working on your MAC or windows PC. Let us discuss them now:

  • Open https://www.whatsapp.com/download/ from your Pc webpage and download Desktop version of WhatsApp.
  • Install WhatsApp on your Pc once the download is finished.
  • Open WhatsApp so that you can scan the QR code from your phone to get both the devices connected.
  • Open WhatsApp in your phone and click on the settings icon under WhatsApp Web to scan the QR code on Desktop version.
  • Once both the devices are connected, you are good to use WhatsApp on your PC.

Users must keep in mind while using WhatsApp on their PC that your phone should always be on and connected to Wi-Fi as well.

WhatsApp has been the favorite of everyone for a while now, and the company is always trying to make its feature list and usability better to make it more loved by users. And, by launching the desktop version of it, the company has put another milestone in its long run. This Step will sure be going to keep WhatsApp as number one app and the most loved one for a long time now.

 

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Author Bio: Pankaj Jangir is a Website Designer and Developer. He makes websites from where users can download their own videos and photos from FB.

Computers, General, Mobile

This Chart Shows Apple’s Premium Pricing Strategy and Product Differentiation

Apple has been on an incredible run, with shares value hitting world record high of $710 billion. Apple has become the first ever company to be valued at this value range, mostly because of that it is often associated with luxurious products and services which rank high on great quality, durability and Innovation.

Below is a chart showing how Apple is using the pricing strategy to sell the company’s products and the range they offer for each and every one of them.

apple-pricing-strategy-chart

 

 

[Via businessinsider]

Events, Hardware, tablets

CONFIRMED: Apple to Hold an Event on October 16

1 Comment

 

Apple has started sending out invites for a media event on October 16, which will be held at the company’s Cupertino headquarters, and is widely thought to be the launch of the next-gen iPad Air as well as a new line of Macs. The invites suggest a colorful teaser with some cropped lines of the Apple Logo and the upper leaf alongside a simple line that vaguely says:  “It’s been way too long.”

What does it mean? It is yet to be determined, but besides the new hardware, the company is also expected to be launching its latest Mac OS X update, dubbed OS X Yosemite, and may also debut Apple Pay, its mobile payment solution for users.

As always, we will continue to update as much as it takes.

Computers

Happy 30th Birthday Apple Mac

Apple-Thirty-Years-of-Mac

Apple is celebrating 30 years of the Mac today. The Cupertino company has revamped its website completely, including a page dedicated to the special event with a nice and interactive timeline that is walking you through the various models the company has launched throughout the years. In addition, there’s a special place where you can share with Apple some info about your first Mac, how did you discover it and what did you use it for.

Here’s the statement the company has released, along with the Mac’s 30th anniversary video

Thirty years ago, Apple introduced the Macintosh with the promise to put the creative power of technology in everyone’s hands. It launched a generation of innovators who continue to change the world. This 30 year timeline celebrates some of those pioneers and the profound impact they’ve made. 

[youtube id=”Xp697DqsbUU”]

[Apple]

Media Players, Mobile, Operating Systems, tablets

Greenpois0n iOS 4.1 Jailbreak For Windows Users Released

It looks like jailbreaking season has finally started folks, with Apple’s iOS 4.1 most anticipated hack tool, “Greenpois0n”, officially been announced and released to the pond. And while still available just for Microsoft Windows users at the moment (Macs should wait or use VMware/VirtualBox apps to install), this latest update, courtesy of Chronic Dev Team labs, will shine only with Cupertino’s iPhone 4 / 3GS, iPod touch (3rd / 4th generations), and iPad 1st gen devices, already preloaded with iOS 4.1 firmware which turns to be vulnerable to George “geohot” Hotz recent limera1in USB boot ROM jailbreak exploit, that Steve Jobs is likely to block. On his next firmware roll out, that is, of course.

Update: Well…it didn’t take long for both Geohot and the guys at Chronic Dev Team to introduce their own proprietary Mac format into the market (limera1n and greenpois0n), each with varying degrees of advantages and disadvantages of its own. As always, proceed with caution and back up your stuff first, you just never know where troubles might come from.

[Chronic Dev Team]

Applications, Computers, News, Operating Systems

Google's Chrome OS Officially Introduced (Update: Now Available On VMWare)

3 Comments

So, Google has finally rolled out its highly expected Chrome OS, which was demoed live across the net by Mountain View’s engineers few hours ago, and practically suppose to go out somewhere towards next year’s holiday season. Regretfully, the system won’t be free and it seems you’ll have to buy it pre-installed on portable devices approved by Google, either it’s a netbook, tablet PCs, smartphones, MIDs, etc. The Chrome OS is said to include third-party applications, but won’t support, at this point, any Android materials. The system itself is based on Linux and the Chrome browser, both packed together to run on a web-based platform that will operate any outside content, coming from USB drives or other different sources. Basically, it’s a cloud system but that should not set you apart from it, unless you guys really afraid of taking new tech “adventures” and start new liabilities. Nevertheless, the operating system will run everything that was originally placed in the application panel – and we’re talking about features like Gmail, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Hulu, Google Talk and many more. Google Docs was also included in Google’s OS compatibility list, while drivers from other companies, such as Flash and Silverlight suppose to work as well (although Google wasn’t very clear about it and has chosen to say this: “We are working hard to integrate plugins closely”).

Hardware wise, details are scarce at the moment, and Google will not share those nitty gritty things until next year, but looking at the overall picture, Chrome OS will probably run in compatibility with both x86 and ARM processors, while regular hard-drives support seems to be excluded  – which means you’ll have to use SSDs instead. In general, booting time is set to load up in 7 seconds only, and login process will take 3 seconds more. That, in our opinion, should do best with any standard netbook available in the market, now and in the future (with SSD drives), and just in case you were wondering, Google itself was using an Eee PC machine to run the demo for the first time.

Update1: We’ve tossed some videos after the break, that will walk you through Google’s new system.

Update2: Looks like Google’s Chrome OS is now available free, in case you’re using a VMWare software on your desktop machine. The good part is that you don’t need to actually make it your primary bootable system at all, and by running any VirtualBox software, you can set any of your system folders to be used as a Chrome OS unit. If you think you’re qualified for using this pre Beta platform, you can download the image either from this torrent (we have no clue about this source background) or the build the guys at GDGT recently uploaded. TechCrunch team was all over it in passing hours as well, so you can read their step-by-step instructions in here, if you don’t feel safe to do it on your own.

Update3: Dell Mini 10V owners can now install the Chrome OS as their primary operating system, thanks to a Dell employee who’s managed to hack the USB-bootable edition via WiFi and make it available on Dell’s popular mini laptop, despite fussy restrictions from Mountain View’s direction. Truth is it’s not the perfect OS and in fact, many things are yet to be solved, but for early adopters who are willing to give it a try – it should probably be a great experience that’s worth a shot. Source code and explanations are now available on Direct2Dell‘s page. Enjoy the Chrome.

Update4: Mac and Linux users can finally use the Google Chrome Beta-version browser with their computing machines – as Mountain View’s searching giant officially announces in its blog. And although we face a lot of crashes while trying, you don’t really want to skip this experience, especially when Google has recently launched the extensions, do you? Checkout the video we’ve added after the break (3rd one).

google-chrome-os

Continue reading Google's Chrome OS Officially Introduced (Update: Now Available On VMWare) →

Accessories

Nail USB Memory Stick Introduced

If you’re a carpenter or a DIY aficionados, this is your day, as Dutch company Plankton has announced the release of the “nailed”, a USB nail designed flash drive, coming up with 2GB storage capacity and a polyurethane/iron body, that gives the memory stick a look of a nine inch nail, jammed into a PC/Mac computer. To start hammering with this unique USB nail stick, without causing any substantial damages, you will have to take €29.50 ($46) out of your purse. The damages are on your expense.

[via technabob]

Continue reading Nail USB Memory Stick Introduced →

General, Hardware, News, software

Is Microsoft Planning To Open Unique Retail Stores?

Headstrong rumors claiming that Microsoft considers the opening of unique retail stores that will conspicuously market its own products. There is no doubt that Microsoft managers jealously squint at Apple’s success, thinking they can do the same, if not better. The only problem is that Apple has more hardware products to sell rather than Microsoft’s dominant software-based assortment. I mean, it’s not that Microsoft doesn’t have tangible things to offer, after all it does sell some great products like the Xbox 360 console, the Zune player, or complementary goods like video games and the accessories involved, not to mention the other peripherals such as webcam, keyboard or mouse. In addition, Microsoft sell retail software like Windows Vista and Microsoft Office, via affiliate partners and retailers. However, I’m not so sure it is the same variety as Apple’s products, including Mac, iPod and iPhone, with all the assorted accessories. Still, these are just rumors and I haven’t seen some major steps, coming from Microsoft direction, to carry out this project, but I am more than sure it crossed some Redmond minds. True or false, great or wrong, only time would tell.

microsoft-retail-store

[via macobserver]

Computers, General

MacBook Surface Gets Whiter With Toothpaste

Macbook users tend to complain about those ugly marks and dark smudges, decorating their surface as a result of palm contact or dust accruement. To solve the problem and get back to the original shiny white color, Lifehacker posted an interesting solution: All you have to do is spread on some white toothpaste on the given area, let it dry, clean it with a damp clout and…voila ! back to the first days when the white was bright glowing.

 stains-macbook-clean

[via Lifehacker]

Hardware, News

Macworld 2008: Apple Unveiles The Time Capsule Backup Server

This wireless drive will backup all your Leopard OSX Time Machine Macs through your wireless network. The Time Capsule features a full Airport Extreme base station with 802.11n wireless and a server grade hard drives, allowing you to backup your data from anywhere, in your wireless network area. You will be able to choose two storage capacities, 500GB for $300 and 1TB for $500. The product should be available next month.

time-capsule

[via gizmodo]