The Mac can mount and read it no matter the format. The PC can only read it if it is in a PC format. It will work on both, but until you have completely rid yourself of Windows machines, keep it formatted for Windows.

If you format it right the data can be read by any computer that understands the USB connection and the format you used.

Pretty well all PC /MAC operating systems understand FAT32… most understand NTFS, only Linux understands EXT3… so if you leave the disk with it’s default FAT32 format the MAC and the PC can red it.

But planning to back up files for two years hence because you are planning to buy a MAC then? Don’t worry about two years down the line… everything will have changed by then.

As long as the external hard drive is formatted in a Fat 32 format, a Mac could read and write to it. If it is formatted to be Windows only in the new format, then the Mac could read but not write to it.

Look at the box that the seagate came in. Does it say works with mac and pc???

I have a Seagate Freeagent and it works fine with all my pc’s.