If your PC has USB 3.0 ports, you can get a big speed boost by relocating your external drive to a faster enclosure.

We give the inside scoop on USB 3.0: its real benefits, where to get it, and how to avoid rip-offs when shopping for these next-gen products.

USB 2.0 portable hard drives are common and ideal for compatibility, but are slow performers. Upgrading your portable hard drive to a USB 3.0 enclosure will increase its performance significantly.

How to Import Files From an External Hard Drive Easily. The large sizes of external hard drives make them ideal for transferring large files or data between computers in your office.

The USB port delivers plenty of power for this type drives, even when connected to a USB 2.0 port. The Toshiba Canvio Basics consumes a maximum of 900mA power, even in the largest capacity version.

The Toshiba TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drive (64GB) is a high-capacity flash drive that offers an affordable price, but performance seekers should look elsewhere.

We independently review and compare Toshiba Canvio Basics USB 3.0 hard Drive (4TB) against 33 other portable media storage device products from 10 brands to help you choose the best.