WD Passport 2 TB: Is There USB Adapter For My 2012 MB Pro?

[Christopher11]

Hi there. I have a 2012 MB Pro, which I believe has USB type 3 connectors. I'm just wondering if this hard drive has an adapter if they use a smaller / different USB port. Also, have you had any experience with this drive? Please share any thoughts on it, reliability, etc. I am looking at this refurbished one. Thank you.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293586881524

 

[Audit13]

I don't recommend Passport drives because the USB port is solder directly to the drive's motherboard. If the USB port gets damaged, it's very difficult to retrieve your data. Also, the Passport drives may have onboard encryption that can't be disabled which makes it even more difficult to retrieve data.

You just need a USB cable like this: https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Chargi...locphy=9000976&hvtargid=pla-491593522200&th=1

 

[JPack]

It’ll plug in without the need for an adapter. Both the drive and your MacBook use USB-A.

 

[DeltaMac]

That refurbished drive will have a USB 3 cable. The connector on the drive is called USB Micro-B. I can't tell you what cable will come with a refurbished, but should be a USB-A (standard USB connector), and should plug right in to your 2012 MBPro.

 

[Christopher11]

You guys are excellent, thank you. Have you had any experience with these drives?

 

[Christopher11]

I don't recommend Passport drives because the USB port is solder directly to the drive's motherboard. If the USB port gets damaged, it's very difficult to retrieve your data. Also, the Passport drives may have onboard encryption that can't be disabled which makes it even more difficult to retrieve data.

You just need a USB cable like this: https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Chargi...locphy=9000976&hvtargid=pla-491593522200&th=1

Thanks for responding. Can you recommend and external drive you prefer?

 

[Audit13]

Thanks for responding. Can you recommend and external drive you prefer?

I prefer the Seagate portables. A much cheaper alternative is to purchase a bare 2.5" drive, a portable enclosure, and put it together yourself. I have clobbered together several drives in the past using left over laptop hard drives.

I've had good luck with Orico products: https://www.orico.cc/us/product/subcategory/535.html

 

[Christopher11]

I prefer the Seagate portables. A much cheaper alternative is to purchase a bare 2.5" drive, a portable enclosure, and put it together yourself. I have clobbered together several drives in the past using left over laptop hard drives.

I've had good luck with Orico products: https://www.orico.cc/us/product/subcategory/535.html

Nice! Agreed on Seagate; all these drives I have here are. The one that quit, i carry it around in my laptop bag and I've dropped it more than once. I don't like it quitting but it's been years and it was pretty much a champ up until then. I guess maybe I'll go with that. Thank you.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd look at Toshiba and Hitachi (HGST) "bare" drives.
You want 2.5", SATA.

Buy one and put it into an enclosure like this:

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

www.amazon.com

For connecting USBa plugs to USBc ports, you should also get one of these:

Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black

Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black

www.amazon.com

If you can get away with 1tb of storage, consider a 2.5" SATA SSD.