Toshiba Canvio Basics 500 GB 2.5" USB 3.0 Black external hard drive + protective case

The Toshiba Canvio Basics 500 GB kit is a portable 2.5" external hard drive bundled with a protective case. The case guards against scratches, dust and light knocks in a bag or backpack, so the drive can travel next to keys and small items without damage to the housing.

The drive itself is compact (78 x 109 x 14 mm), connects over USB 3.0 and is powered from the USB port, so no separate power adapter is needed. It is Plug and Play: connect it to Windows and start copying files, no drivers or software required. For macOS the drive needs to be reformatted; on Android it works over OTG if the phone or tablet supports external storage.

500 GB is enough for documents and work files, a photo archive, music, a few films or a system backup.

Why Windows shows 465 GB

Manufacturers count capacity in decimal units (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes), while Windows counts in binary (1 GB = 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes). That is why 500 GB appears as about 465 GB in Windows. It is not a defect or missing space; every drive and flash stick is shown this way.

Who it suits

• Backups of documents and photos from a laptop or PC.
• Moving files between computers when a flash drive is too small.
• Study, work and travel, with the drive always in its case.

Specifications

• Series: Canvio Basics
• Capacity: 500 GB (about 465 GB in Windows)
• Type: external HDD
• Form factor: 2.5"
• Interface: USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible)
• Spindle speed: 5400 rpm
• Cache: 8 MB
• Power: USB bus powered
• Drive dimensions: 78 x 109 x 14 mm
• Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7, macOS (reformatting required), Android via OTG
• Colour: black
• Warranty: 6 months

In the box

• Toshiba Canvio Basics 500 GB drive
• USB cable
• Protective case

The same kit with more space: Toshiba Canvio Basics 1 TB + protective case. Drive without the case: Toshiba Canvio Basics 500 GB.

How to choose an external drive and format it for a Mac or TV is covered in our guide "External hard drive: what it is and how to choose". Brand new drive, SMART checked before shipping.