4big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual
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See the table below for a comparison of NTFS and FAT 32.
Windows File System Formats
Use NTFS if:
…you will be using the storage device only with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 since performance will be enhances
when compared to exFAT or FAT 32. This file system is compatible in read-only mode with Mac OS 10.3 and
higher.
Use exFAT if:
…you will be using your storage device with both Windows and Mac computers.
Use FAT32 if:
…you will be using your storage device with Windows and Macs, and at least one of these computers is
running an OS that is incompatible with exFAT.
Mac Users
Mac OS Extended (HFS+): Mac OS Extended refers to the file system used by Mac OS X. HFS+ represents an
optimization of the older HFS file system by using hard disk space more efficiently. With HFS+, you are no
longer limited by block size.
exFAT: exFAT is an acronym for Extended File Allocation Table, a file system developed for flash drives. It is
increasingly being used as an alternative to FAT32, which limits file sizes to 4GB, volumes to 2TB, and restricts
characters in file names. It is therefore an excellent cross-platform file system. It is, however, only compatible
with Windows XP and later OS, and Mac OS X 10.6.5 and later.
MS-DOS File System (FAT 32): This is the Microsoft file system, more typically known as FAT 32. Use FAT 32
if you are going to be sharing your LaCie storage device between Mac and Window computers.
See the table below for a comparison between HFS+ and FAT 32 (MS-DOS).
Mac File System Formats
Use HFS+ if:
…you will be using the storage device on Macs only. Performance will be enhances when compared to FAT 32.
HFS+ is NOT compatible with Windows OS.
Use exFAT if:
…you will be using your storage device with both Windows and Mac computers.
Use FAT32 if:
…you will be using your storage device with Windows and Macs, and at least one of these computers is
running an OS that is incompatible with exFAT.
