Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD
Bottom line: The Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD ($205.90 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 12:20 UTC): 4TB capacity in a bus-powered portable enclosure, no AC adapter needed; main trade-off: requires reformatting before it will work with Apple Time Machine.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 4TB capacity in a bus-powered portable enclosure, no AC adapter needed
- ✓ Two-year Rescue Data Recovery Service included alongside the 2-year limited warranty
- ✓ One-click or scheduled hourly/daily/weekly/monthly automatic backups
- ✓ Bundled 1-year Mylio Create plus 2-month Adobe CC Photography Plan
Cons
- ✗ Requires reformatting before it will work with Apple Time Machine
- ✗ USB 3.0 only, so no USB-C connector or Thunderbolt speeds
- ✗ Spinning HDD, so slower and less shock-tolerant than an SSD
- ✗ Usable capacity is under 4TB, as Seagate states in its specs
Manufacturer description
The Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB external hard drive gives you room for roughly a decade of photo libraries, project files, and system backups in a bus-powered enclosure you can drop in a laptop bag. It connects over USB 3.0 with the included cable, so there is no power brick to carry, and it works with both Windows PCs and Macs out of the box, though reformatting is required if you want to use it with Time Machine. The Seagate backup software handles the routine part: click once for an immediate backup, or schedule automatic hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly runs so your files copy…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD 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 Portable 4TB work with a Mac?
Yes. It ships ready for Mac and Windows over USB 3.0, but Seagate notes that reformatting may be required if you want to use it with Time Machine.
Do I need to plug it into a wall outlet?
No. The drive draws power over the included USB 3.0 cable, so a single cable to your laptop or PC handles both power and data.
What warranty comes with this drive?
Seagate includes a two-year limited warranty plus two years of Rescue Data Recovery Services. Check the product listing for current terms in your region.
Can I schedule backups automatically instead of running them manually?
Yes. You can back up with a single click, or schedule automatic hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly backups so copies run unattended.
Do I really get all 4TB of storage?
Not quite. Seagate states that available storage capacity may vary, so formatted usable space lands somewhat below the advertised 4TB.
Key Features
- Store and access 4TB of photos and files with Seagate backup Plus portable, an on-the-go USB drive for Mac and Windows
- The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, This portable external hard Drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure
- Great as a laptop hard drive or PC Hard drive, simply Plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups. Reformatting may be required for use with time Machine.
- Edit, manage, and share photos with a One-year complimentary subscription to mylio create and a Two-Month membership to Adobe creative cloud photography plan
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-yr Rescue Data Recovery Services
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Full Specifications
| Brand | Seagate |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | Seagate 4TB Backup Plus Portable Hard Drive |
| Read Speed | 120 Megabytes Per Second |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 120 Megabytes Per Second |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | STHP4000400 |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac |
| Built-In Media | Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB USB3.0 |
| Item Type Name | External Hard Drive |
| Hard-Drive Size | 4 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | STHP4000400 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Installation Type | Plug In |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 640 Megabits Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum |
| Full listing title | Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – Black USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 Year Myliocreate, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography, 2-year Rescue Service (STHP4000400) |
Ready to buy?
Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – Black USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 Year Myliocreate, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography, 2-year Rescue Service (STHP4000400) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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