Last week we shared a list of the best SSDs you can get on the market. The transfer speed on those drives is impressive, and we definitely recommend getting one to speed up your PC. However, when the density-to-price ratio takes absolute priority, the hard drive remains king. That brings us to the external Seagate Expansion model, designed for computers, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
Both Sony and Microsoft refuse to admit it, but their latest consoles are basically camouflaged computers, without the flexibility of a traditional platform. One of the biggest pressure points is storage. Games keep getting bigger, and we must add operating systems, updates, patches, DLCs, and other secondary software components. Upgrading the hard drive on a PlayStation 4 is relatively straightforward, but for the Xbox One, Microsoft only enabled support for external drives, as long as they are USB 3.0 with at least 256 GB of capacity. Luckily, we now have the ideal wildcard at our disposal.
Seagate Expansion: As Plug and Play as It Gets
If the only thing you need is a quick injection of capacity and you don't want to open computers or consoles, the folks at Seagate offer their line of external Expansion hard drives. Available models range from 1 to 4 terabytes, with an intermediate 1.5 TB option that has an excellent price right now. The Seagate Expansion drives spin at 5,400 revolutions, a detail that doesn't make them the fastest, but at the same time makes them quieter, and they are powered solely by the USB 3.0 cable. The external appearance of the drives is Spartan and uncluttered, so it fits perfectly with the design of the consoles.
Several Seagate Expansion users have successfully transferred to the hard drive inside the enclosure the PlayStation 4, although personally I have doubts about that procedure. Why? First, the 3 and 4 TB models are taller and do not fit in the console's internal space. And second, Seagate offers 24 months of warranty in European territory. If you have any problem with your Expansion unit, it's best it remains intact.
