User profile for user: PeerNorway
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Using MacBook Pro (2019) with Thunderbolt 3 ports: Choosing between WD My Book or WD Elements external hard drive (8TB) - and how to connect with cable/adapter ?

I have a MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019, 1TB), and I need to get a new big external hard drive (8TB) for backup and to store all of my photo- and video files....


My MacBook was the model just before the M1-processor was released (which came the year after in 2020 I think...) and it came with four Thunderbolt 3 ports only (unsure if this is the same as USB-C ?).


With it I have connected via WiFi to a 2TB "high tower" Time Machine, which have been blinking yellow for some time - I suspect it might be something wrong with the fan not working optimally, which will make it warm and I know it is not a good thing... I also have two other 2TB Time machines (one more high tower and one flat), plus an old 500GB external hard drive for backups from when I was on PC. That is a total of 6.5TB - but they are not 100% full, so I am guessing it is around 5-6GB - but just to be sure I want to get a new 8TB external hard drive to transfer everything onto.


So... My plan is to get a brand new 8TB external hard drive - which I plan to put all of my stuff onto, and do backups every 3rd. or 6 month, and most of the time just have it turned off and stored away safely.


I was recommended a WD (Western Digital) Elements 8TB, but came across the WD My Book variant which I at first thought might be a better one - however, I have come to the conclusion that the Elements is a better external hard drive for Mac - as most extra features in WD My Book are towards PC, and not functional on Mac.


Here is a comparison between the WD My Book (8TB) and WD Elements (8TB):


https://www.westerndigital.com/products/product-compare.html?ids=WDBBGB0080HBK-NESN:my-book-usb-3-0-hdd,WDBWLG0080HBK-NESN:wd-elements-desktop-usb-3-0-hdd


A little small minus is that these will not have a WiFi connection - so only cable connection is possible. Another smalle thing with the WD Elements is that I might have to reformat before using (which is fine) - however I suspect it will need to get a different cable - as it comes with a "SuperSpeed USB-A cable (5Gbps)" - than what it came with or adapter as my MacBook Pro only have the four Thunderbolts3 and in the specifics of my MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 it says:


Charging and Expansion

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
* Charging
* DisplayPort
* Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
* USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)



The USB-A will of course not fit in the "only Thunderbolt 3" ports of my MacBook - which I am unsure if they are the same as "USB-C" (however it is specified with that). I have also been advised to make sure the cable is for data-transfer, not for battery charging... And I did find an adapter from USB-A (in) and USB-C (out - if it will be functional in when connected in one of four the Thunderbolt 3 ports (for data transfer ?)....



So I am guessing my question is: did I make the correct choice about choosing "WD Elements" over "DW My Book" - and can the problem with the USB A end-port cable be solved with the USB-A (in) to USB-C (out) adapter - or a cable with a Micro-B port with input to the WD Elements to to the Thunderbolt 3 only ports with a USB-C output port to my MacBook Pro ?


If this works I also wonder if it will affect the speed and if there will have any negative effects in the long run ?


Here are pictures of the back panel of the WD Elements which shows the Micro-B port (which I assume it is also called a "USB Micro B Super Speed" port ?)....




[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Sep 6, 2025 04:47 PM

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User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 7
31,163 points

Posted on Sep 6, 2025 07:14 PM

PeerNorway wrote:

My MacBook was the model just before the M1-processor was released (which came the year after in 2020 I think...) and it came with four Thunderbolt 3 ports only (unsure if this is the same as USB-C ?).


USB-C is a connector and a set of standards for how other things can live and co-exist on it. Thunderbolt 3 is an optional, high-end protocol that can live on a USB-C port.


my MacBook Pro only have the four Thunderbolts3 and in the specifics of my MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 it says:

Charging and Expansion

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
* Charging
* DisplayPort
* Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
* USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)


Those are multi-purpose USB-C ports that support any of the protocols listed. (USB-C is like the "shell" of a Swiss Army knife, and the protocols any particular port supports are like the "blades" of a particular Swiss Army knife.)


The USB-A will of course not fit in the "only Thunderbolt 3" ports of my MacBook - which I am unsure if they are the same as "USB-C" (however it is specified with that). I have also been advised to make sure the cable is for data-transfer, not for battery charging... And I did find an adapter from USB-A (in) and USB-C (out - if it will be functional in when connected in one of four the Thunderbolt 3 ports (for data transfer ?)....


It is easy to get adapters to go between USB-A (USB) and USB-C (USB) at speeds up to 10 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 2 speed), in either direction. That's functionality that both types of USB connectors can support.


You can also get cables to go from one type of USB connector to another. E.g., if you have a portable hard drive that came with a USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-A cable, you could replace the cable with a USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C one.


Here are pictures of the back panel of the WD Elements which shows the Micro-B port (which I assume it is also called a "USB Micro B Super Speed" port ?)....


That is a USB 3.0 Micro B connector. If it was a USB 2.0 Micro B connector, it would be only. about half as wide – and would not have that crimped appearance.


https://www.anker.com/blogs/cables/how-to-identify-different-types-of-usb-cables-a-brief-guide


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User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 7
31,163 points

Sep 6, 2025 07:14 PM in response to PeerNorway

PeerNorway wrote:

My MacBook was the model just before the M1-processor was released (which came the year after in 2020 I think...) and it came with four Thunderbolt 3 ports only (unsure if this is the same as USB-C ?).


USB-C is a connector and a set of standards for how other things can live and co-exist on it. Thunderbolt 3 is an optional, high-end protocol that can live on a USB-C port.


my MacBook Pro only have the four Thunderbolts3 and in the specifics of my MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 it says:

Charging and Expansion

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
* Charging
* DisplayPort
* Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
* USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)


Those are multi-purpose USB-C ports that support any of the protocols listed. (USB-C is like the "shell" of a Swiss Army knife, and the protocols any particular port supports are like the "blades" of a particular Swiss Army knife.)


The USB-A will of course not fit in the "only Thunderbolt 3" ports of my MacBook - which I am unsure if they are the same as "USB-C" (however it is specified with that). I have also been advised to make sure the cable is for data-transfer, not for battery charging... And I did find an adapter from USB-A (in) and USB-C (out - if it will be functional in when connected in one of four the Thunderbolt 3 ports (for data transfer ?)....


It is easy to get adapters to go between USB-A (USB) and USB-C (USB) at speeds up to 10 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 2 speed), in either direction. That's functionality that both types of USB connectors can support.


You can also get cables to go from one type of USB connector to another. E.g., if you have a portable hard drive that came with a USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-A cable, you could replace the cable with a USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C one.


Here are pictures of the back panel of the WD Elements which shows the Micro-B port (which I assume it is also called a "USB Micro B Super Speed" port ?)....


That is a USB 3.0 Micro B connector. If it was a USB 2.0 Micro B connector, it would be only. about half as wide – and would not have that crimped appearance.


https://www.anker.com/blogs/cables/how-to-identify-different-types-of-usb-cables-a-brief-guide


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User profile for user: MrHoffman
MrHoffman
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
141,715 points

Sep 6, 2025 05:00 PM in response to PeerNorway

I’d get a USB USB-C HDD. They’re common, can get (more) power from USB-C, and don’t need adapters.


Micro-B is old, and seldom used anymore.


You’re also not likely going to be shopping for a Thunderbolt storage device.


8 GB is on the small side these days, with choices double or triple that available.


HDDs don’t particularly have added features that are all that useful either, HDD vendor efforts to differentiate their gear to the contrary.


You’ll be erasing and reformatting to APFS, and won’t need to install vendor apps.


As for available vendors, OWC / MacSales has a good reputation, and a long history with Mac gear.

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Using MacBook Pro (2019) with Thunderbolt 3 ports: Choosing between WD My Book or WD Elements external hard drive (8TB) - and how to connect with cable/adapter ?

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