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Toshiba Canvio Connect II — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home External Hard DrivesToshiba Canvio Connect II

Toshiba Canvio Connect II — image 1

Toshiba

Toshiba Canvio Connect II

Expert Review Analysis

The Toshiba Canvio Connect II 2TB is a portable external hard drive offering USB 3.0 speeds, cross‑platform compatibility and a lightweight polished chassis. It includes a software bundle with a macOS NTFS driver and targets budget‑conscious users needing large local storage.

✓ Best for: Mobile professionals, Mac users, and multi‑device owners who need a large, affordable external storage solution for backup, photo/video archives, and on‑the‑go file access without relying on cloud services.✗ Not ideal for: Power users requiring the highest possible read/write speeds, such as video editors or gamers, who would benefit more from an SSD, and owners of newer laptops that lack a USB‑Micro‑B port and prefer native USB‑C connectivity.

Pros

✓Fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds averaging around 108‑112 MB/s for both small and large files
✓Lightweight, pocket‑sized polished chassis with a white activity indicator
✓Cross‑platform compatibility works on Windows, macOS, Chromebook and Android via USB‑OTG

Price History

Current

$219.99

Average

$219.99

Lowest

$219.99

Highest

$219.99

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#2,359Best#2,277Worst#2,359 -82

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.2/ 5Reviews188

Specifications

Connectivity

InterfaceUSB 3.0

USB TypeMicro-B

USB-OTG SupportYes

Cross-platform CompatibilityWindows, Mac, Chromebook, Android

Design

Height19.6 mm mm

Width78.0 mm mm

Length109.0 mm mm

Weight229.5 g g

FinishPolished

Features

EncryptionPassword-protected data encryption

Cloud BackupYes

Scheduled BackupsYes

Backup & RestoreFull system backup and file/folder backup

General

BrandToshiba

ModelHDTC820XL3C1

ColorBlue

Release Date2015-02-01

WarrantyLifetime

Lighting

Activity IndicatorWhite circular light

Performance

Spindle Speed5,400 rpm rpm

Cache8 MB MB

Seek Time12 ms ms

Sequential Read Speed108.7 MB/s MB/s

Sequential Write Speed112.4 MB/s MB/s

Power

Power SourceBus-powered via USB 3.0

Software

Included SoftwareTuxera NTFS driver for Mac

Backup SoftwareNTI backup software with scheduling and encryption

Storage

Capacity2TB

Formatted Capacity1.81TB

Compatibility

Supported PlatformsWindows PC, macOS, Chromebook, Android via USB‑OTG

Indicators

Activity LightWhite circular light with visible activity indicators

Dimensions & Weight

Height0.77 inches

Width3.07 inches

Depth4.29 inches

Weight0.50625 pounds

Research Sources

coolsmartphone.com

expertreviews.co.uk

forums.tomshardware.com

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User Reviews

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4.2

(188 reviews)

$219.99

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HDTC820XL3C1Blue2TB Lifetime

External Hard Drives

✓Included Tuxera NTFS driver enables seamless read/write on macOS without reformatting

✓Quiet operation with minimal read/write noise during continuous use

✓Affordable price‑to‑capacity ratio compared to SSDs and cloud storage

Cons

✗USB Micro‑B connector can be finicky, sometimes requiring cable wiggle to maintain connection on Windows
✗Early drive failures reported within one to two months for a minority of units
✗Performance limited by 5,400 rpm spindle, slower than SSD alternatives for high‑speed workloads
✗No USB‑C cable or native USB‑C port, requiring adapter for newer devices
✗Lack of detailed weight and dimension specifications in product documentation

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Best Buy award winner praised as "the whole package" for performance, software and price
✓Consistent speeds across file sizes with the disk being the limiting factor, not the USB 3 interface
✓Sleek design that easily slips into a pocket and offers multiple color options
✓Comprehensive software bundle including NTFS driver for macOS

Criticized by Experts

✗Reviewers note that for faster speeds, SSDs are required, as HDD speed is limited
✗No USB‑C connectivity, which may be less convenient for newer laptops
✗Slightly bulkier than the Canvio Advance model, though still slim

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Users highlight fast transfer speeds via USB 3.0 connection
✓Affordability praised for large storage capacity at low price
✓Portability praised for small, lightweight design easy to carry
✓Reliability noted with some drives lasting over three years without issues
✓Quiet operation with minimal read/write noise appreciated

Users Complain About

✗Some users experience USB connection issues needing to wiggle the cable for proper mounting
✗Reports of early drive failures within one to two months for a small number of units
✗Minor complaints about lack of detailed weight and size information

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the Canvio Connect II for delivering solid, consistent performance at a very attractive price point, noting its sleek, pocket‑friendly design and the inclusion of useful macOS NTFS software. They acknowledge that while the HDD’s 5,400 rpm speed limits peak throughput compared to SSDs, the drive offers reliable backup capability and cross‑platform flexibility, making it a strong value proposition for budget‑focused users.

What Users Say

Everyday users consistently praise the drive’s fast USB‑3 transfer rates, low price per gigabyte, and portable form factor, while also appreciating its quiet operation and long‑term reliability. Recurring concerns revolve around occasional USB‑Micro‑B connection quirks and isolated early‑failure reports, but these issues appear infrequent relative to the overall positive feedback.

Common Complaints

Intermittent USB connection problems that require cable wiggle, occasional early drive failures within the first few months, and the absence of detailed weight/dimension data in the packaging.

What People Are Saying

“Fast transfer speeds via USB 3.0 connection”
Amazon review

How It Compares

vs. SSD (e.g., 250GB SSD)

Advantages

✓Much higher read/write speeds than the 5,400 rpm HDD
✓No moving parts, resulting in greater durability

Disadvantages

✗Significantly higher price per gigabyte, making large capacities expensive
✗Limited storage capacity compared to the 2TB HDD at similar price points

Choose an SSD for speed‑critical tasks; choose the Canvio HDD for budget‑friendly high‑capacity storage.

vs. Cloud Storage Services

Advantages

✓Accessible from any internet‑connected device worldwide
✓Automatic syncing and backup without physical media

Disadvantages

✗Dependent on internet bandwidth and can suffer latency or jitter
✗Ongoing subscription costs and potential privacy concerns

Use the Canvio HDD for fast, offline local storage; use cloud services for remote access and automatic sync.

vs. Toshiba Canvio Advance

Advantages

✓Slightly slimmer profile while maintaining similar performance
✓Often priced similarly, offering a comparable value proposition

Disadvantages

✗May lack some of the premium color options of the Connect II
✗Does not include the same comprehensive NTFS driver package

Select the Advance if a slimmer form factor is priority; select Connect II for the extra software bundle and color choices.

vs. Toshiba Canvio Premium

Advantages

✓Includes USB‑C cable for newer devices
✓Marginally thinner design for tighter spaces

Disadvantages

✗Higher price than the Connect II for similar capacity
✗Performance remains limited by HDD spindle speed

Choose Premium for native USB‑C convenience; choose Connect II for lower cost and included macOS NTFS driver.