3.0 and 2.0 USB: Desktop > flash drive > laptop

[Maceasar]

Will this work?

I buy external hard drive thats 3.0 USb for my desktop

I have a laptop that cant be upgraded to 3.0

Can I move files from ext. hard drive (3.0 usb) to a flash drive and transfer the files to my laptop (2.0 usb) ? Does that work or do both computers need to be 3.0 usb?

I think I know the answer but I thought I would double check before buying anything (ext hard drive and flash drive)
Thanks
Mark

 

[Maceasar]

PS
For example, what does it mean when it says the interface is 2.0 / 3.0 on the specs page?
WD My Passport Ultra 2TB 2.5" Portable External Hard Drive (WDBMWV0020BRD-NESN) - Red : External Portable Hard Drives - Future Shop

 

[Maceasar]

me again

I noticed this . . .
"Lightning-fast transfer speeds up to 5GB/s on USB 3.0 and 480MB/s on USB 2.0"
WD My Passport 2TB External Hard Drive (WDBTYH0010BCG-NESN) - Black : External Portable Hard Drives - Future Shop
- see 'more information' section

Does it mean it can be 2.0 or 3.0?

Thx

 

[carnageX]

You can plug 3.0 devices into 2.0 ports. 3.0 is backwards compatible. You don't need a flash drive to move files from the 3.0 hard drive to the laptop. The 3.0 device will just operate at 2.0 speeds when plugged into a 2.0 port, and a 2.0 device plugged into a 3.0 port will also only operate at 2.0 speeds.

Sent from my HTC One

 

[Maceasar]

Thank you for the answer.

;-)

 

[carnageX]

No problem.