Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive for Mac with Mobile Device Backup(STDU4000100)
Status: Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop… (4TB hard drive): Unavailable on Amazon as of . Closest in-stock match (same 4TB hard drive): Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD, $189.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 12:20 UTC (price may vary). eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.
Bottom line: The Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive: Ships Mac-formatted, so Time Machine backups start without reformatting; main trade-off: needs the HFS+ driver installed before a Windows PC can use it.
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Currently unavailable on Amazon. Not the same product — 3 in-stock alternatives with matching specs:
Same 4TB hard drive: Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD — $189.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 12:20 UTC (price may vary).
Same 4TB hard drive: Seagate Backup Plus 4TB Desktop External Hard… — $199.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 14:16 UTC (price may vary).
Same 4TB hard drive: Seagate Backup Plus Hub for Mac 4TB External… — $237.12 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 16:15 UTC (price may vary).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Ships Mac-formatted, so Time Machine backups start without reformatting
- ✓ 4 TB capacity holds years of photo libraries and full system snapshots
- ✓ USB 3.0 interface speeds up large video and photo transfers
- ✓ Seagate Dashboard builds scheduled, customized backup plans automatically
- ✓ Optional adapter upgrades the drive to Thunderbolt or FireWire 800
Cons
- ✗ Needs the HFS+ driver installed before a Windows PC can use it
- ✗ Thunderbolt and FireWire 800 adapters are sold separately, not included
- ✗ Desktop form factor, so it is not a bus-powered portable drive
- ✗ Usable storage lands below the advertised 4 TB after formatting
Manufacturer description
The Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB desktop external hard drive arrives formatted for Mac out of the box, so you can point Time Machine at it within minutes of unboxing and start protecting your digital life locally. Its 4 TB of desktop-class capacity gives you room for years of photo libraries, video projects, and full system snapshots, while USB 3.0 connectivity keeps large transfers from turning into an afternoon-long wait. The included Seagate Dashboard software lets you build customized backup plans instead of manually dragging folders, and its Save feature can pull user-generated content down…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the external storage category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB work with Time Machine?
Yes. The drive is formatted for Mac out of the box, which makes it compatible with Time Machine software for local backups with no reformatting step.
Can I use this drive with a Windows PC too?
Yes, but not out of the box. Install the included HFS+ driver and you can use the drive interchangeably between Mac and PC computers.
Do I actually get the full 4 TB of storage?
Not quite. Seagate notes that the available storage capacity may vary, so expect usable space to come in under the advertised 4 TB figure.
What connection does it use, and can I upgrade it?
It connects over USB 3.0 as included. An additional adapter is available separately to upgrade the drive to Thunderbolt or FireWire 800.
Key Features
- Create easy customized backup plans with included Seagate Dashboard software
- Quick file transfer with USB 3.0 connectivity
- Formatted for Mac out of the box; install the HFS+ driver and use the drive interchangeably between Mac and PC computers
- Additional adapter available to upgrade from included USB 3.0 to Thunderbolt or FireWire800
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Full Specifications
| Brand | Seagate |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Backup Plus Desktop |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | STDU4000100 |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac |
| Built-In Media | Backup Plus for Mac® Desktop Drive 4TB USB3.0 |
| Hard Disk Size | 4 TB |
| Hard-Drive Size | 4 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | STDU4000100 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Hardware Platform | PC;Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5000 megabits_per_second |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty Description | 2 year limited warranty |
| Hard Disk Description | External |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 inches |
Ready to buy?
Amazon shows no buyable offer for Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop… at the last check. The closest in-stock match with the same 4TB hard drive is Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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