Hate dongles and adapters but using the newest MacBook Pro with only Type-C ports available? This flash drive from SanDisk has you covered. The progressive design is made for the future and using USB-C, so you can copy, read, and store files even faster than USB-A 3.0 without ever needed a middleman for your laptop. Back to the MacBook Pro, Apple offers the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020) with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, where the 16-inch model comes with 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB. I don't believe 256GB is nearly enough for most users and that minimal amount of storage should be avoided. USB-C flash drives for MacBook Pro are much smaller and more portable compared do external SSDs. If you don't mind this fact, we recommend checking out SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (from 250 GB up to 2 TB), or Seagate Barracuda Fast SSD (from 500 GB up to 2 TB). Apple MacBook Pro 15 ULTRA HIGH RETINA 3.4 TURBO i7 16GB RAM 2TB SSD WARRANTY $1,085.00 APPLE MACBOOK PRO 17' MACOS 10.15 CATALINA ULTRA UPGRADE CORE i7 8GB RAM 2TB SSD.
Feather M13 Turbo SSD (2TB) with Tools, macOS - m.2 NVMe PCIe Drive Upgrade for Apple MacBook Pro 2013-2015, MacBook Air 2013-2017, iMac 2013-2017 4.3 out of 5 stars 53 $349.99 $ 349.
Traditional ports in a MacBook, like USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, or even an SD-reader, are gone since 2016. They will probably never be back again. By the time of writing this article, Apple equips its every laptop with a universal Type-C port. With the release of the iPad Pro 2018 and newer, this cheeky port slowly creeps into the iPad and iPhone segment. Many people refuse to adopt USB-C and they stubbornly keep using USB-A cables, drives, and other accessories. If you are not this kind of person and think that it is better to accept the reality and move to the USB-C side, you need to change a few devices you may be using. USB flash drives are one kind of device you need to switch if you don't want to buy a USB dock for a MacBook. This is where you may start googling something like the best USB-C flash drive for MacBook Pro or any other MacBook.
Buying a separate USB-C flash drive for a MacBook is objectively a better choice compared to USB-C to USB-A dongle or a dock station since you avoid carrying around additional accessories. It is a less cluttered and more affordable solution since many decent-sized USB-C flash drives for MacBooks cost less than a good USB-C dock.
How to Choose the Best USB C Flash Drive for Mac?
Every modern laptop has at least one USB-C port, excluding probably the cheapest options. Despite this fact, shops are still flooded with regular USB-A flash drives. To put it simply, people prefer regular USB sticks compared to USB-C flash drive for a MacBook Pro or any other laptop. Thus, purchasing the best USB-C flash drive for MacBook may be a challenge. In this article, we gathered a list of some nice USB-C flash drives that will work with any modern USB-C equipped MacBook without the need to buy an adapter. Do note that this article is relevant not only for MacBook Pro owners. Any modern USB-C compatible computer will benefit from the listed below flash drives.
For your information: if you carry a relatively new Windows PC that has a Thunderbolt 3 or a simple USB-C port, all of the drives in this article will work great with your computer. Luckily, USB-C is an open standard and there is no difference between the best USB-C flash drives for MacBook or Windows. Just be aware that some external SSDs with USB-C are Thunderbolt 3-based and work only with the devices that support this interface (like a Samsung X5 Portable SSD or Sabrent Rocket XTRM). USB-C does not necessarily mean Thunderbolt 3 support, so make sure you check the spec sheet of your computer. The same goes for USB-C smartphones. In this article, we will focus on the best USB-C flash drives for MacBook Pro, not SSDs. This will make sure all the listed devices are compatible with any computer that has a USB-C port.
Another thing to consider is a protocol compatibility. USB-C flash drives for MacBook carry out USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 protocols to achieve max speed possible, but you can also use these drives with a USB-C 2.0 interface in your tablet, smartphone or a Windows laptop. Just make sure it has USB-C or use an adapter.
Operating speed is something flash drives manufacturers constantly abuse in their marketing campaigns. They always specify sequential write and read speeds. Do note that random write/read speeds are always much lower. This rule applies to both flash drives, HDDs, and SSDs. In other words, always lower your expectations when it comes to flash drives speeds. Even the best flash drives for MacBook Pro work on not-so-impressive speeds compared to even the cheapest SSD.
Macbook Pro 2tb Flash Memory Card
Since SSD drives are extremely cheap nowadays, buying an external SSD for MacBook Pro may be a better solution. You will get much better speeds and much bigger storage. The only downside is that you will have to sacrifice portability. USB-C flash drives for MacBook Pro are much smaller and more portable compared do external SSDs. If you don't mind this fact, we recommend checking out SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (from 250 GB up to 2 TB), or Seagate Barracuda Fast SSD (from 500 GB up to 2 TB). There are also extremely portable solutions that creep into USB-C flash drives for MacBook territory. For example, JOIOT 256 GB Portable SSD. It has a form-factor of a slightly bigger USB-C flash drive and does not require lots of space in your bag. Speeds or longevity may not be the best, but you get an insanely portable and inexpensive SSD. For lots of users, us included, this is a solid pick.
We also should warn you about another marketing trap many users fall into. Do not think that USB-C 3.1 flash drive for MacBook will work faster and better than USB 3.0. USB 3.1 means it is only compatible with this interface that peaks at 10 Gbps—a speed that flash storage won't ever achieve. That is because of memory type limitations. Simply put, flash storage is slow.
Now let us make things double-clear and make sure you have a compatible device. USB-C flash drives for MacBook are compatible with the following Apple computers:
- MacBook 12 2015 and newer.
- MacBook Air 2018 and newer.
- MacBook Pro 13 2016 and newer.
- MacBook Pro 15 2016 and newer.
- MacBook Pro 16.
- iMac Pro 2017 and newer.
- Mac mini 2018 and newer.
- Mac Pro 2019 and newer.
- iPad Pro 11 2018 and newer.
- iPad Pro 13 2018 and newer.
Enough of theory, let us get straight to the best USB-C flash drives for MacBooks.
The Best USB-C Flash Drives for MacBook Pro
Samsung Duo Plus is not the cheapest flash drive out there, but it is undoubtedly one of the best USB-C flash drives for MacBook. What we like about this drive is that it is compatible with both USB-C and USB-C. Whenever you need to plug it into a MacBook, use a built-in USB-C adapter. If there's an older USB-A machine around, simply take off a default adapter and you'll get a traditional interface.
No cables, no additional adapters, no docks. Also, a high-quality metal case and a 5-year warranty. As to speeds, it can operate up to 300 MB/sec in a 128 and 256 GB configuration. If you opt for a cheaper 64 or 32 GB spec, max sequential speed lowers to 200 MB/sec. That is how flash storage works, so to get better performance and GB per dollar ratio, stick (no pun intended) to 128+ GB models. The price difference is not that big to save a couple of bucks and sacrifice the speed and available storage.
There's another bonus called '5-proof protection'. It ensures your drive survives water, shock, magnet, temperature, and x-ray damage, so no need to worry about your data under extreme conditions.
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive is more affordable than Samsung's option (you get slower speed for a lower price) model but it carries a more unique approach. Instead of using a special adapter to convert USB-A to USB-C, SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive uses a sliding mechanism. On the one side you have USB-A, on the other USB-C, so whenever you need any of these, just slide it out of the case and plug into a computer. This construction ensures you will not lose a built-in USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Tip: We do recommend you to choose the 16 GB or even 32 GB model. The price difference is almost non-existent but the capacity varies a lot and a speed decreases drastically when you use a model with lower capacity. 32 GB models and below should not exist in a world where every smartphone shoots 4K video and the default storage option is 64 or 128 GB.
Silicon Power USB-C C80. It is not that easy to recommend the best USB-C flash drive for a MacBook since most of them are nearly the same. More often than not, it all comes to ergonomics, design, and form-factor. C80 from Silicon Power comes in the same dual-design with both USB-A and USB-C connection, but it eliminates any caps, covers, sliders, or adapters. It is just a barebones metal USB with a big loop to hang it on a keychain or a leash (neat). Its only downside is that capacity is limited to 128 GB only but that should be more than enough for almost everyone.
PNY Elite is clearly not the best-looking (and it has not the best material either) USB-C flash drive for MacBook, but it offers something other flash drives in our list can't—a large capacity. Most flash drives offer 256 GB at best, but PNY Elite comes in massive 512 GB flavor so there's more than enough space for your movies, pictures, and documents. Also, its 64 GB config is more affordable than others. On top of that, you can opt for 256, 128, or 64 GB configurations.
Macbook Pro 2tb Flash Drives
Our last pick comes again from Silicon Power. It is called Silicon Power 128 GB Flash Drive Mobile C10. It ended up in our list of the best USB-C flash drives for MacBook Pro for its portable size. It is much smaller compared to other options in our article and will not protrude much from a side of your MacBook. This allows keeping a drive connected all the time without removing it whenever you are on the go.
Samsung Duo Plus | SanDisk Ultra Dual | Silicon Power C80 | PNY Elite | Silicon Power Mobile C10 | |
Capacity | 32, 64, 128 and 256 GB | 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 GB | 128 GB only | 64, 128, 256 and 512 GB | 128 GB only |
USB Interface | USB-A and USB-C, removable adapter | USB-A and USB-C | USB-A and USB-C | USB-C only | USB-C Only |
USB Protocol | USB 3.1 | USB 3.1 | USB 3.1 | USB 3.1 | USB 3.1 |
Speed | Up to 300 MB/sec | Up to 150 MB/sec | Up to 150 MB/sec | Up to 130 Mb/sec | Up to 150 Mb/sec |
Case Material | Metal | Metal | Metal | Plastic | Metal |
Weight | 0.27 ounce, 7.3 grams | 0.32 ounce, 9.0 grams | 0.8 ounce, 22 grams | 0.64 ouce, 18 grams | 0.63 ounce, 18 grams |
Waterproof | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
That's it. We hope this guide helped you to learn how to choose a USB-C thumb drive for a MacBook and find the best model for your computer, smartphone or tablet.
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I've been Googling for the entire day to see if there are any replacement SSD flash drives for the older models (mid 2012) of the Macbook Pro 15' Retinas, but I could not find anything bigger than 1TB. They are available for the non-retina models, but nothing I could see for the retina ones.
Does anyone know if there are available for sale on some little-known site, or have inside news if they will ever be available?
I purchased the new 2016 15' touchbar model with a 2TB drive in November, but after a month of unpleasant usage I'm returning it and will revert to using my old faithful 2012 Macbook. The only thing I'll miss is the 2TB SSD drive.
Being in dongle-purgatory, plagued with issues (freezes/crashes) when connecting external monitors, and the (in my own personal opinion) uselessness and at times annoying functionality of the touchbar (it's too easy to 'accidentally' hit the ESC or the back button for Safari, or even the 'Send' button for Mail) was simply not worth spending $4K for...
MacBook Pro with Retina display, null
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