Comparison Toshiba Canvio Ready 2.5" HDTP210EK3AA 1 TB vs Seagate Expansion Portable Hard Drive 2.5" STEA1000400 1 TB

— USB port. Powering an external hard drive directly through the USB connector used to connect to a computer. The advantage of such disks is that they do not require a separate power supply — thus, they can be used even with laptops in the absence of an electrical outlet. However, it is worth considering that the power of the current supplied through the USB connector may sometimes not be enough to start the disc — especially if the connection is made through a USB hub at the same time as several other devices.

— Thunderbolt. Powered directly through the Thunderbolt connector — the same one used for the main connection. For more information about the connector itself, see “Connection Interfaces”, otherwise this option is completely similar to the USB power supply described above (adjusted for the fact that Thunderbolt does not use hubs).

— Power supply. Power supply of an external drive from a separate unit connected to a standard 220V network. Such drives may have a connection interface other than USB, are free from problems associated with insufficient power supply, but their mobility is limited by the availability of electrical outlets.