500GB External SSD Explained: A UK Buyer's Guide

Short answer: a 500GB external SSD is a compact, fast and shock-resistant drive that is ideal for carrying active files between machines. If you use a Mac and a PC, the thing that trips people up is not the drive — it is the file system, so format it as exFAT and it will read and write on both without buying two drives.

If you want one small drive that works with both a MacBook and a Windows laptop, the questions that matter are speed, capacity and, above all, formatting. This guide covers what a 500GB SSD is good for and how to set it up so files move cleanly between systems.

What is a 500GB external SSD good for?

A 500GB SSD is a working drive rather than a bulk store. It is small enough to pocket, quick enough to open files directly, and rugged enough to survive daily handling. That makes it ideal if you regularly move a set of documents, photos or a project folder between a work PC and a personal Mac.

Where it struggles is capacity. If you want to keep years of files or a full backup, 500GB disappears fast — a hard drive gives far more room per pound for that job.

How fast is a 500GB SSD really?

Solid-state drives are the reason a copy that crawls on an old hard drive finishes in seconds. A SATA-based portable SSD typically sustains around 400–550 MB/s, while a USB 3.2 model can reach about 1,000 MB/s. A portable hard drive, by contrast, tops out near 120 MB/s. Real-world speed still depends on your laptop's port, the cable and whether you are moving one large file or thousands of small ones.

Formatting a drive for both Mac and Windows

This is where most cross-platform headaches start. A brand-new drive is often formatted NTFS for Windows — and a Mac can read NTFS but will not reliably write to it, which is the classic "it works with both" surprise.

Which format should you choose?

• exFAT — reads and writes on both Mac and Windows. The right choice if the drive moves between systems.
• NTFS — native to Windows; Mac is read-only without extra software.
• APFS / Mac OS Extended — Mac-only, and the format Time Machine expects.

Will reformatting erase my files?

Yes. Reformatting wipes the drive, so copy anything you need somewhere safe first, then format to exFAT, then move your files back. After each session, eject safely before unplugging to avoid corrupting the file system when you swap between machines.

SSD or hard drive for the space you need?

If speed and pocket size matter most, a 500GB SSD is excellent. If you need to store a lot for less, a hard drive wins on capacity. Many people keep a small SSD for travel and a larger drive at home — for the capacity side of that pairing, see our portable hard drive buying guide, and for a 2TB solid-state comparison our 2TB external SSD guide.

When a 2TB hard drive makes more sense

If you would rather have room to grow than raw speed, the BackupDrive 2TB Portable External Hard Drive gives four times the space of a 500GB SSD for everyday backup. It connects over USB 3.0 Micro-B (up to 120 MB/s), is USB bus-powered so there is no mains adapter, works with Windows 10/11 and macOS 10.12 and later (reformat to exFAT for full Mac and Windows use), and includes data rescue support with a 12-month UK warranty. It is £96.26 inc. VAT with free UK delivery and 30-day returns, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 320 reviews.

Frequently asked questions

What format should a 500GB drive be for Mac and PC?

Use exFAT. It reads and writes on both macOS and Windows, unlike NTFS (Windows-native, read-only on Mac) or APFS (Mac-only). Copy your files off first, format to exFAT, then move them back, and eject safely each time you swap machines.

Will formatting the drive erase my files?

Yes, reformatting wipes everything on the drive. Always copy anything you need to another location before you reformat, then move it back afterwards once the new file system is in place.

Is a 500GB SSD faster than a hard drive?

Considerably. A portable SSD typically runs at about 400 to 1,000 MB/s depending on the interface, while a portable hard drive tops out near 120 MB/s. Real-world speed also depends on your computer, cable and file sizes.

Is 500GB enough, or should I get more storage?

500GB suits active project files you carry between machines. For a full backup, a photo library or years of files it fills quickly, so a larger hard drive is usually better value for bulk storage.