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Sunday, February 28, 2021

All current Raid Bosses in Pokémon Go March 2021

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

Here's every Pokémon you can challenge in Pokémon Go Raids right now.

While you can catch plenty of Pokémon in the wild and hatch plenty of Pokémon in Eggs in Pokémon Go, Raid Battles are where you get some of the best and most powerful Pokémon in the game. While some of the Raid bosses are common and weak, Raids are also one of few ways to encounter Legendary Pokémon, Mega Pokémon, and certain rare species.

Which Pokémon, you ask? Well, the line-up changes pretty often. Each new event brings new and different Raid Bosses, and Niantic frequently changes them up just for fun. Lucky for you, we've got the whole list right here, and be sure to chek out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you're fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

  • Note: Any Pokémon with the potential to be Shiny is indicated by an asterisk.

Mega Raids in Pokémon Go

On August 27, 2020, Niantic introduced Mega Evolution and with it Mega Raids. Mega Raids are a class unto themselves, providing some of the most challenging battles yet. Mega Pokémon get a massive stat boost, and in some cases new typing as well. There are currently three Mega Raids available:

After completing any of these Mega Raids, you will be rewarded with the chance to catch the normal version of that Pokémon, as well as a bunch of Mega Energy - the species specific currency used to Mega Evolve your own Pokémon. The amount of Mega Energy you win is based on how quickly you can complete the Mega Raid so you want to invite as many people as possible to these Raids. Additionally, Mega Raids can give you Shiny Pokémon, unlike encountering these evolved Pokémon normally.

Like other Raids, Mega Raids also rotate out. Currently, the following Mega Raids cannot be battled right now:

Five Star Raids in Pokémon Go

The Five Star tier is typically reserved for Legendary Pokémon and usually the most sought after of public Raids. They're more difficult to beat than lower star ratings, but if you have enough players to do it, the rewards at this level are the best. To kick off the Seasons of Legends, we'll be getting the Forces of Nature Trio, as well as the Pokémon Go debut of their Therian formes. Expect to see lots of Legendary Raids over the next three months.

The current Legendary Raid boss is Incarnate forme Landorus*. Incarnate forme Tornadus* will take his place on March 6, Incarnate forme Thundurus* on March 11, Therian forme Thundurus on March 16, Therian forme Tornadus on March 30. Although Therian forme Landorus has yet to be announced, we expect it will likely follow Therian forme Tornadus in April.

Three Star Raids in Pokémon Go

Three Star Raids are fairly easy to take down, and many high-level players can do them with just one or two buddies. Still, they're worth a decent chunk of XP and other rewards. The current line up of Three Star Raid Bosses include:

  • Gligar* (1+ Trainers)
  • Donphan (2+ Trainers)
  • Whiscash (1 Trainer)
  • Glalie (2 Trainers)
  • Torterra (2 Trainers)

One Star Raids in Pokémon Go

Just about any player able to Raid can solo a One Star. These are all super easy and, unless this is one of your very first Raids, you'll spend more time waiting on the counter for the battle to start than you'll actually spend in the battle itself. However, if you need to complete a lot of Raids fast, these are the ones you want to aim for. Plus, they provide the easiest way to get some of the rarer first stage Pokémon.

  • Sneasal*
  • Swinub*
  • Drilbur
  • Ducklett
  • Espurr

Raid Invitations and Remote Raids in Pokémon Go

As the global pandemic slowed Pokémon Go play and Raids in particular during the early part of 2020, Niantic began to implement new features to make Raids more accessible. Now Trainers can purchase Remote Raid Passes, which allow them to take part in Raids that aren't within range for a normal Raid Pass. These Remote Raid Passes will let you join in any Raid you can see on the screen. Additionally, Remote Raid Passes allow you to join into any Raid a Friend invites you to. Raid Invitations were added shortly after Remote Raid Passes, allowing Trainers to invite up to five of their Friends to join in a Raid from anywhere in the world.

EX Raids in Pokémon Go

An Exclusive or EX Raid is a special sort of Raid you can only participate in by invitation. Invitations are given to players who battle at EX eligible Gyms during a time of high traffic with some small bit of luck on top. Otherwise, invitations can be shared between Ultra and Best Friends. If you have a high-level friend who gets one, they can invite you to the EX Raid as well. The last EX Raid Boss was Regigigas, the leader of the Regi Titans Trio; however, Niantic has currently suspended EX Raids in the interests of public health concerns.

No more Four and Two Star Raids in Pokémon Go

Prior to Mega Raids being released, Pokémon Go had two other Raid types: Four Star Raids and Two Star Raids. Four Star Raids were combined with Three Star Raids, while Two Star Raids were combined with One Star Raids. The difficulty remained at Three and One Star levels, while increasing the rewards, making all of these battles more accessible.

Raid Questions?

Do you have any questions about which Pokémon are in Raids right now? Is there a Pokémon you're hoping will come to the line up next? Drop us a comment below, and be sure to check guide our Complete Pokédex, to be sure you're well equipped for your Pokémon journey!

Pokemon Go


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How to beat Tornadus the Cyclone Pokémon in Pokémon Go

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

Incarnate forme Tornadus will return to Legendary Raids on March 6, 2021.

Starting Saturday, March 6, 2021, Tornadus is back in Pokémon Go as part of the Season of Legends. A lot has changed since we last faced off against the Cyclone Pokémon, including the introduction of Mega Evolution, as well as many new Shadow Pokémon, , but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat Tornadus. And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped for the battle!

Who is Tornadus and what are the Forces of Nature?

Introduced in the Gen V games Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, the Forces of Nature are a Legendary Trio. Fans have also called them the Legendary Genies, the Kami Trio, and the Cloud Trio. They include Tornadus: the Cyclone Pokémon, Thundurus: the Bolt Strike Pokémon, and Landorus: the Abundance Pokémon. Landorus, the strongest of the three, was said to have stopped the other two from wreaking destruction across the Unova Region. In more recent times, the Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta was able to calm all three of the Forces of Nature to save the Unova Region from their destructive powers.

The Forces of Nature are also some of the select few Pokémon with multiple Formes. Normally seen in their Incarnate forms where they resemble genies, they can also take on a Therian forme where they resemble a bird, a dragon, and a large cat. The Therian formes of the Forces of Nature will make their Pokémon Go debut in just a couple weeks. Guides for the other Forces of Nature and the Therian formes can be found here:

  • To prep for Incarnate forme Landorus, check out our Landorus Incarnate Raid Guide.
  • To prep for Incarnate forme Thundurus, check out our Thundurus Incarnate Raid Guide.
  • To prep for Therian forme Tornadus, check back soon for our Tornadus Therian Raid Guide.
  • To prep for Therian forme Thundurus, check back soon for our Thundurus Therain Raid Guide.
  • To prep for Therian forme Landorus, check back soon for our Landorus Therian Raid Guide.

What are the best counters for Tornadus in Pokémon Go?

As a pure Flying type, Tornadus takes double damage from Rock, Electric, and Flying type attacks. It's capable of dealing Flying, Dark, Grass and Normal type damage.

Zekrom

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is the best non-Shadow counter for Tornadus. As a Dragon and Electric type, it has no weaknesses the Cyclone Pokémon can exploit and takes reduced damage from Flying and Grass type moves. Unfortunately, Zekrom's only run in Raids was during a global pandemic, so many players don't even have one, much less the candy to power it up. Still, if you have it, you'll want it to know Charge Beam and Wild Charge for this Raid.

Rampardos

A fossil Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, Rampardos is one of the best Rock types in Pokémon Go. It's also super accessible, having only one previous stage, Cranidos which has been commonly found in Eggs. Rampardos takes half damage from Flying and Normal type attacks, but double from Grass. If you're bringing Rampardos to this Raid, you'll want it to know Smack Down and Rock Slide.

Mega Ampharos

If you're able to safely coordinate with your fellow Raiders, Mega Ampharos will be an invaluable part of an Electric based party. As an Electric and Dragon type, it has the same resistances as Zekrom, but also boosts the other Electric type Pokémon on the field. Even if you can't coordinate with the other Trainers, Mega Ampharos will still perform very well in this Raid. You'll want Volt Switch for its fast move and Zap Cannon for its charged attack.

Mega Abomasnow

While an Electric based offensive is ideal, Mega Abomasnow is a great lead for an Ice based party. As a Grass and Ice type, it resists Tornadus' Grass type attack, but takes double damage from Flying, so it won't last as long as Mega Ampharos. However, it will boost other Ice type counters, making it a solid choice if you either don't have Mega Ampharos Energy, or your fellow Raiders have better Ice type counters. Powder Snow and Weather Ball is the moveset you'll want your Mega Abomasnow to know for this Raid.

Magnezone

The final evolution of Gen I's Magnemite, Magnezone performs very well in this Raid and is readily accessible. It'ss resistant to Flying, Grass, and Normal type attacks, meaning only Tornadus' Dark type attacks will do full damage. In this Raid, you'll want Spark and Wild Charge for your Magenzone's moveset.

Electivire

Another readily available Sinnoh Evolution of a Gen I Pokémon, Electivire does great in this Raid. As a pure Electric type, it has no weaknesses that Tornadus can exploit and resists Flying type attacks. It's also readily available, not only because of Gen I Electabuzz and its baby stage, Elekid, but also because it was featured in a Community Day. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge are the moves you'll want your Electivire to know.

Rhyperior

Rhyperior is, yet another Sinnoh Stone evolution of a Gen I Pokémon recommended for this Raid. It has great stats and a great movepool, but like so many other counters for Tornadus, it is weak to Grass type. With a resistance to Flying and Normal type moves, it will still perform very well. It's also had the Community Day treatment, so you probably have a few already. You'll want your Rhyperior to know Smack Down and the Community Day exclusive move, Rock Wrecker for this Raid. However, if you don't have Rock Wrecker or the Elite TM to spare, Stone Edge will also work.

Raikou

One of the Legendary beasts of Johto, Raikou performs great against Tornadus. It's been available in Raids, Research Breakthrough Rewards, and even as a Legendary Shadow Pokémon in Giovanni's lineup, so most players have at least a couple already powered up. As a pure Electric type, it resists Flying and has no relevant weaknesses. You'll want your Raikou to know the fast move, Volt Switch and the charged move, Wild Charge.

Zapdos

One of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Zapdos works well against the Cyclone Pokémon. As an Electric and Flying type, it takes half damage from Flying and Grass type attacks, while having no weaknesses Tornadus can take advantage of. It's also been available many times over in Raids, events, as a Research Breakthrough Reward, and even as a Legendary Shadow Pokémon, so there's no good reason not to have at least one or two powered up already. You'll want Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt for your Zapdos' moveset.

Terrakion

One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion is a great counter for Tornadus, especially if you cannot bring in one of the Mega Evolved counters. As Rock and Fighting type, it resists Dark and Normal attacks, but takes double damage from Grass. In addition to three runs in Legendary Raids, Terrakion was also a Legendary Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so there's a good chance you already have at least one powered up. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the moves you're looking for.

Back ups?

Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:

  • Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
  • Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
  • Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
  • Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
  • Alolan Golem with Rock Throw and Wild Charge
  • Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
  • Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
  • Arcanine with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
  • Magneton with Spark and Discharge

Shadow Pokémon?

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:

  • Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
  • Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
  • Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
  • Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
  • Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
  • Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
  • Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
  • Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
  • Shadow Arcanine with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
  • Shadow Magneton with Spark and Discharge

Note: Shadow Raikou, Shadow Zapdos, and Shadow Magnezone outperform every other Pokémon in the best counters list. Shadow Mamoswine, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Electivire, and Shadow Mewtwo also perform on par with the other best counters. If you are able to safely coordinate the use of Mega Ampharos or Mega Abomasnow, they will boost other Electric or Ice types respectively, making them perform event better.

How many players does it take to beat Tornadus in Pokémon Go?

While it's possible for just two high level players with the best conditions to beat Tornadus, if you're lower level or lacking in the best counters, it may take four or more.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

  • Wind will boost Tornadus' Flying type attacks.
  • Sunny/Clear Weather will boost his Grass type attack.
  • Partly Cloudy will boost his Normal type attack, as well as your Rock type counters.
  • Fog will boost Tornadus' Dark type attacks.
  • Rain will boost your Electric type counters.
  • Snow will boost your Ice type counters.

Questions?

Any questions about taking on Incarnate forme Tornadus? Any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can be a Pokémon Master!

Pokemon Go


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iMore Show 740: A Rainbow of iMacs

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

The iMore show brings you everything you need to know about the week in iPhone, iPad, Watch, TV, Mac, and Apple!

Karen and Joe hang with Luke Filipowicz for a chat about Apple's celebration of Women's History Month this March along with their donation to the LGBTQ+ charity Encircle. And, of course, life wouldn't be complete without fresh MacBook, AirPods, and Apple Car rumors!

Listen now

  • Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
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  • Download directly: Audio

Watch now

Links

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iPhone upgrade 'supercycle' could continue with the iPhone 13

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

Accelerated iPhone upgrades aren't expected to let up anytime soon.

What you need to know

  • The iPhone upgrade "supercycle" is expected to continue through 2022, according to Wedbush.
  • Analysts Daniel Ives and Strecker Backe are not seeing the usual dip in production for the iPhone 12 lineup.

The iPhone upgrade "supercycle" of the iPhone 12 may continue straight into the iPhone 13 lineup, according to new analysis from investment firm Wedbush.

In an investor note seen by AppleInsider, analysts Daniel Ives and Strecker Backe say that the usual dip in production after the initial launch of a new iPhone lineup is smaller than usual this year.

Following the Chinese New Year, supply chain checks indicate that Apple is remaining bullish on its production, write analysts Daniel Ives and Strecker Backe. Rather than any major changes to expected reductions in production, there are only a few "tweaks to near-term builds."

According to the analysts, they have not seen iPhone performance like the iPhone 12 lineup since 2014, when Apple launched the redesigned iPhone 6. It's kind of fitting, as the iPhone 6 took the iPhone from squared-off edges to curved edges, and now the iPhone 12 takes it back.

"We have not seen a robust launch trend such as this in a number of years for Apple," the analysts offer. "The only iPhone trajectory similar would be the iPhone 6 in 2014 based on our analysis." Though Wall Street is anticipating roughly 220 million iPhone units to be produced throughout 2021, Wedbush still believes Apple could do more. Based on the current trajectory and a bull case, Apple still has the potential to sell "north of 240 million units," or even an "eye-popping" 250 million.

The analysts also predict that Apple will initially build approximately 100 million units for the iPhone 13 lineup, a 25% increase from the 80 million that was initially built for the iPhone 12. It is believed that 5G adoption, as well as a potentially post-COVID market, could continue to drive upgrades.

"We believe this speaks to an increased confidence with Cook & Co. that this 5G driven product cycle will extend well into 2022," the note states. It also mentions how Apple could benefit from a "post-vaccine consumer reopening environment," with customers able to shop and spend more freely as efforts to immunize populations from COVID-19 continue.

Wedbush's estimates on the expected continued performance of the iPhone 12 line up with earlier analysis from JP Morgan, which believes that the iPhone 12 lineup will outperform last year's iPhone by at least 13%.

iPhone 12 Pro

Bottom line: The iPhone 12 Pro is easily one of the best phones of 2020, but it may not be enough of an improvement over the iPhone 12 to justify its additional $170 price tag.

From $999 at Apple


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Leave your wallet at home with these great cases for your iPhone 8

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

The iPhone 8 is already something you need to carry with you everywhere because the best iPhone is the iPhone you have with you. Lugging around both your wallet and your iPhone can make for some extra bulky pockets or a lot of space taken up in your bag or purse. A good iPhone 8 wallet case will not only provide you with the space for some cash, cards, and ID but also give your phone a little added protection from bumps and scrapes. We've rounded up the best iPhone 8 wallet cases to help you cut down on space and up the convenience.

Multi-functional

Vena vCommute

Staff favorite

Vena's vCommute is my favorite wallet case simply because it's cool as hell. It's a little thicker than some cases, but it provides fairly rugged protection, and the magnetic back closure is convenient and functional — hiding your cards and doubling as a handy kickstand.

$28 at Amazon $28 at Walmart

No Front Cover

Spigen Slim Armor CS

If you're looking for a slimmer option without the front cover, then check out Spigen's Slim Armor CS, which features a sliding door on the back that hides the wallet compartment. This case features a layer of shock-absorbent TPU, which is flexible and prevents scratches, as well as an outer layer of hard polycarbonate plastic, which protects against bumps and drops.

From $16 at Amazon $28 at Walmart

Golden ratio

Dreem 2-in-1-wallet case

Dreem's Fibonacci wallet case is another cool one, featuring Dreem's circular logo on the back and some really lovely stitching. What's really rad is that you can take your phone right out of the wallet case, and there's still an awesome PU leather bumper case to protect your phone — it's two cases in one.

$45 at Amazon $45 at Walmart

Textured Grip

Smartish Wallet Slayer

Leave your wallet at home and slide your credit cards and ID into the back of this TPU case. You can fit up to three cards, and the silicone holds your cards tight, which is ideal since the slot is open, unlike the vCommute or Spigen Slim Armor CS. That just means you have constant easy access to the cards you need most.

$15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart

Slim and stylish

WenBelle Blazer

Made with durable leather, the WenBelle Blazer series case has three card slots and a clear ID pouch on the inside so you can carry your most essential belongings. Plus, the WenBelle Blazer series case is quite thin, meaning you don't have to worry about carrying around a brick in your pocket.

$13 at Amazon $32 at Walmart

Wallet and kickstand

ProCase Folding Wallet Case for iPhone 8

This case's exterior is PU, while a built-in TPU shell holds your iPhone SE firmly inside. The folio acts as a built-in kickstand, allowing several different viewing angles for you to watch videos. There are three card slots, plus a larger slot you could use for cash or more cards. Magnetic tabs hold the folio closed when not in use.

From $12 at Amazon

A bit about wallet cases

I love using a wallet case with my iPhone 8 because, as stated in our iPhone 8 review, the all-glass design needs protection. It allows me to keep my most important cards with me; my ID, credit cards, and a bit of cash, without needing a full wallet or bag. The folio-style iPhone 8 wallet cases give you added screen protection, but it can be annoying for some because the added bulk means the cover doesn't always lay flush.

The backside wallet style cases are ideal for people that are more interested in slim design than extra card pockets. If you think of yourself as a minimalist case fan, you should consider a backside wallet-style case. If you're more interested in having all the room you need for your most important cards (plus a few dollars), you're going to do better with a folio wallet-style case.

We love the durable protection, card wallet, and kickstand of the Vena VCommute. It's the perfect case for anyone who wants their case to be as functional as possible.

If you prefer a slimmer wallet case, Spigen's Slim Armor CS is as thin as a wallet case can get and still allow you to carry a small stack of cards with you.


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'Hometown' the latest 'Shot on iPhone' video that highlights Black culture

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

Hometown was created by Phillip Youmans.

What you need to know

  • Apple has released Hometown, a "Shot on iPhone" campaign film that celebrates Black culture.
  • The film, created by Phillip Youmans, highlights the work of four Black photographers.

Apple's latest "Shot on iPhone" campaign video honors Black History Month by highlighting four Black photographers who use photography to capture and celebrate Black culture.

Hometown was created by Phillip Youmans, the first African-American director to win the Founders Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, The filmmaker won the prize for his 2019 directorial debut, Burning Cane, a drama that follows a deeply religious mother who attempts to help her son and pastor of her church.

In honor of Black History Month, 32 of the country's most visionary Black photographers show us their hometowns. Phillip Youmans, the youngest ever director to win at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows a number of our image-makers as they each celebrate the Black experience, Black excellence, love, and imagination.

Apple originally commissioned the Hometown series at the beginning of February, highlighting the photography of over 30 Black photographers. The new Hometown film highlights uses the iPhone 12 lineup four of those photographers and the towns they capture: Lawrence Agyei from Chicago, Gabriella Angotti-Jones from Los Angeles, Lauren Woods from Charlotte, and Julien James from Washington D.C.

One part of the film focuses on Lawrence Agye, a photographer from Chicago who says that his goal as a photographer and storyteller is to tell "amazing stories that can change the way that we see the whole Black experience."

"My artistic identity is defined by where I'm from. Being that I was born and raised in Italy, but I'm also originally from Ghana and now, I've been in Chicago for more than ten years. So what does it mean to miss Chicago? It's just a feeling, it's an energy thing.It's honestly my first day of high school, um, just remember seeing pretty much all Black kids in the school and I was just like, Wow. For the first time, I did not feel alone. Because for a long time in Italy, I was the only Black kid in the whole school. There were not enough images of Black people just having a good time, or you know, spending time with their families, anything like that. And one of the main reasons why I do what I do, is because I want to be able to change those type of images, right?

I wanted to change that perception and share it to the world. My goal as a photographer, my goal as a storyteller, is to keep telling these stories. Keep telling these amazing stories that can change the way that we see the whole Black experience."

Apple has commemorated Black History Month in a number of ways, including an Apple Watch Unity Challenge, celebrating Black-owned businesses, and more.


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These USB-C hard drives for Mac can back up or beef up your storage

By  February 28, 2021  No comments

You might be wondering why you need a USB-C hard drive for your Mac. Here's why: if you back up your Mac in multiple places, then your data is far safer, and you're prepared for any eventuality. Even if you use cloud storage to back up all of your data, you should always have a safe "hard" copy on a hard drive if your data is important. Of course, the current MacBook lineup only has Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, but that's OK because USB-C is fast, future-proof, and will likely replace standard USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, power, and more. What if you already have a perfectly good hard drive, but it has a USB-A plug? We have a list of the best USB-C hubs for you, so you can use it with your newer model Mac. Here are a few options to get you started on your search for the best USB-C hard drive for your Mac.

Fan favorite

G-Technology G-Drive from 1TB

Staff Pick

The G-Drive by G-Technology is a great USB-C hard drive for most people. It has 1TB of storage and features a quick drive speed of 7200RPM, with transfer rates of up to 136MB/s, thanks to USB 3.1. It comes Mac ready and USB-C ready.

From $78 at Amazon

From $78 at Best Buy

From $79 at Newegg

Best for speed

Samsung T7 Portable SSD from 500GB

Samsung's T5 SSD is a solid-state drive that provides way faster transfer rates than physical hard drives. Solid-state drives don't have moving parts, so if you happen to drop this one, there's less to break! SSDs are more expensive, but with this one, you get write speeds of up 1,050MB/s. If you like to store TV shows and movies on your hard drive, consider a solid-state drive! Capacity ranges from 500GB to 2TB.

From $90 at Amazon

From $90 at Best Buy

From $90 at Newegg

Rugged pick

Glyph Blackbox Plus 1TB

The Glyph Blackbox Plus is a rugged, portable hard drive that can keep up with you wherever you go. It's surrounded by rubber to protect from drops and has enough capacity for all your backups and then some. You get write speeds of up to 140MB/s from just 5400RPM, and It also features fan-free heat dissipation, so it's nice and quiet.

From $120 at Amazon

From $120 at B&H

Best for video

Samsung 5X Portable SSD

With read and write speeds of up to 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s, respectively, this portable drive is perfect for videographers. It's designed for rendering and compiling high res photos and videos with up to 40Gb/s data transfer. Starting at 500GB and going up from there, it also looks like the Ferrari of external hard drives.

From $200 at Amazon

From $200 at B&H

Upgrade option

SanDisk Extreme 900 SSD 960GB

SanDisk's Extreme 900 SSD is a powerhouse solid-state drive that offers up to nine times the transfer speeds of external hard drives. It's made of durable aluminum and rubber, and the solid-state core is shock-proof. So, this is far less likely to die on you should you drop it (compared to hard drives).

$300 at Amazon

$413 at Best Buy

Best value

G-Technology G-DRIVE Mobile SSD Durable Portable External Storage

With a low price per terabyte, G-Technology's G-Drive SSD is one of the more versatile solid-state drives on the market, and it comes from a brand that Apple recommends. You'll get transfer rates of up to 560MBps and USB-C connectivity. Plus, it has IP67 water/dust resistance, it's drop-tested to ten feet, and it has 1000 pound crush-resistance.

From $110 at Amazon

From $110 at Best Buy

From $124 at Walmart

Long-lasting

LaCie Rugged USB-C External Hard Drive from 1TB

The LaCie Rugged of yesteryear got me through my entire post-secondary education, and now that there's a USB-C option, it'll help get you (and maybe even your children!) through school or work with reliability and that fast connection. The body is rubberized to help it stand up to daily wear and tear. Choose from 1TB and up, whatever you need for all of your files, documents, Final Cut projects, and much more.

From $80 at Amazon

From $80 at Best Buy

From $80 at B&H

Durable and tiny

CalDigit Tuff Nano Compact Rugged SSD

CalDigit's Tuff hard drives are rugged, colorful 512GB drives that offer USB-C connectivity, and there's even a USB-C to USB-A cable for backward compatibility. With an IP67 rating, these drives are water-resistant in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. These ultra-portable hard drives are dust-resistant, so you can take yours with you anywhere, knowing that your data is safe from the elements.

From $100 at Amazon

From $150 at B&H

Portable

SanDisk Extreme SSD from 250GB

You may know SanDisk for its SD cards, but its hard drives are excellent as well. This solid-state drive is smaller than the average smartphone and has a hole in it so that you can clip it to a bag. It's shock-resistant and ruggedly designed, so it's perfect for life on the move.

From $69 (250GB) at Amazon

From $70 (250GB) at Best Buy

From $95 (500GB) at B&H

Budget pick

WD 2TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive

Western Digital makes some of the best hard drives around, and this well-priced USB-A and USB-C compatible hard drive fits right in with all its other excellent drives. It's made for Mac and is Time Machine ready. Capacity starts at 2TB and goes up from there.

From $66 at Amazon

From $90 at Best Buy

From $87 at Walmart

Shock-resistant

G-Tech Portable External Hard Drive

For the adventurer, this rugged hard drive is shock-resistant up to 1.5 meters (4.92 feet). It has read speeds up to 136MB/s for quick access to your work and comes with USB 3.0 and USB C cables. Capacity starts at 1TB and goes up from there.

From $90 at Amazon

From $90 at B&H

Looking good

Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch HDD from 1TB

This USB-C hard drive from Seagate not only works incredibly well, but it also looks good doing it. The simple lines keep the hard drive from looking like clutter, and the fabric cover adds a designer touch. Choose from Black or White to go with any decor.

From $61 at Amazon

From $62 at Best Buy

Our USB-C hard drive recommendation for your Mac

External hard drives are must-have peripherals for anyone with a computer. They give you additional storage space, which can fill up fast on laptops, and are essential to backing up your data safely and securely. Every one of the USB-C hard drives for Mac on this list is easy to set up and start using right away. All you have to do is plug one into your Mac. If you're getting an external hard drive, make sure it can connect to your Mac.

If you are buying a USB-C hard drive for your Mac, the G-Drive is our staff's favorite portable hard drive because it's affordable and reliable. It's Mac-ready but can also be reformatted for Windows computers. If 1TB isn't enough, there are also 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB versions available.

On the other hand, if you want something super portable, lightweight, and inexpensive, the SanDisk Extreme SSD is a great pick. It's roughly the size of your iPhone, and you can even clip it to your bag when you're on the go.


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