Buffalo External Hard Drives

A Buffalo™ external hard drive combines convenience and functionality into a single electronic device. With a wide variety of models in differing sizes for both desktop and mobile use, it's possible to backup data as well as move it between devices as necessary. Advanced features that safeguard information make these drives a reliable tool for use at home and in the office. Shop Staples® to find a reliable solution for your storage needs.

Protect Your Data with Safety Features
Designed with security in mind, many Buffalo desktop external hard drives come with encryption capability, such as SecureLock, which scrambles the information so it doesn't fall into unauthorized hands. This makes them a suitable option for personal or business use. With RAID redundancy protection, users can still access and use the information on the drive in the event of a fault or failure in the unit. Buffalo MiniStation™ units come with the added security of shock resistance.

Use Buffalo's Technology to Increase Versatility
Each desktop external hard drive comes with an assortment of Buffalo Tools that increase the unit's features and help you get the most of out of it. Backup utility for PCs and TimeMachine for Mac are two tools that help schedule the backup of data at timed intervals, whether you're at your computer or not. Those conscious of energy use will appreciate the eco manager feature which cuts power to the drive after periods of inactivity. TurboPC, which also includes TurboCopy, ensures the performance of your drive during file transfers is smooth and efficient.

Can You Use a Buffalo External Hard Drive With Any Interface?
While some models are versatile and work with multiple interfaces, others work with a single interface, so it's important to discern which one is appropriate for your devices. Through the brand's wide assortment, you can find drives that work with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire, and Thunderbolt connections. Most models, however, offer universal connectivity to PCs and Mac computers with a USB 3.0 interfaces, which are often backward compatible with USB 2.0. Regardless of the type of interface you choose, you'll enjoy plug-and-play capability with short setup times.

What's the Difference Between eSATA and Thunderbolt Interfaces?
The main difference between the two interfaces is the transfer speed. Where eSATA offers up to 6Gbps transfer speeds, Thunderbolt offers much more at 20Gbps. This means files are transferred quickly and efficiently, which can come in handy if you have a large number of files or larger file sizes to transfer. While many people seek out USB 3.0 for its versatility, it offers up to 5Gbps, which is lower than both eSATA and Thunderbolt.

What Size Buffalo External Hard Drive Is Adequate?
The size of the drive you choose is largely dependent on the amount of storage space you need. Buffalo external hard drives come in a wide range of sizes from 1 to 24TB. If you're storing a small number of files such as pictures, videos, documents, or programs, you can suffice with a smaller drive. Larger businesses and corporations can benefit from larger drives, particularly as the number of files you store increases.