This is a normal external hard drive. There are software packages included for backup scenarios etc. but you can leave them out if you don't need them. Greetings

In short: Yes. If you plug in the external HDD and open Time Machine, you can select the external HDD and have it formatted. Afterwards, a Time Machine backup can be made to the external HDD as usual, provided it is plugged in.

Price 280.- CHF. Request delivery date -> Seagate Backup Plus Hub (8000GB)

I assume you are copying files from your system's hard drive (or SSD drive). If your system is USB 2.0, then it will take forever. Newer systems use USB 3, which is up to ten times faster. 4 MB/s is not normal for USB 3. I have USB 3 with an internal SSD. When copying video files, I get around 80 MB/s. When reading I get 190 MB/s.

Hello Gallus64, in principle the hub is fast enough for this, but the 2.5" hard drive must of course have a USB (and not a SATA) connection.

Since it is an HDD, technically a maximum of 160 MB/s can be achieved. In practice, however, the maximum is usually 60 MB/s, even with new factory disks. Udm in the HDD range from 5400 over 7200 to max. 10000