Format:Cd Platforms:Macintosh, Windows Media:Electronics Autographed:No Memorabilia:No Operating System:Windows & Macintosh Hard Drive Size:500 Shipping Weight (lbs):3 Dimensions (in):6.9 x 6 x 2.1 Warranty:3 years warranty
Box Contents - My Passport Essential 500GB Portable USB Hard Drive, USB 2.0 cable, Quick Install guide
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500GB Hard Drive Capacity
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Installation is a snap because you don't really install this drive; you just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is no CD to install; the included software loads from the drive the first time you plug it in
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Powered by the USB bus. No separate power supply is needed
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This ultra-portable drive fits easily in your pocket or purse, weighs only a few ounces, and holds tons of valuable data
Product Description These elegant portable drives are simple to use, light and easy to carry, and require no power adapter -- they are powered directly through the USB cable. Pack up your office files and take them home. Carry thousands of songs or pictures. Synchronize files between home and office and encrypt everything on the drive for added security. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you take your critical data with you. Plug My Passport into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer. Your data is protected with 128-bit encryption (Windows only). Perfect for the business traveler who needs to transfer large amounts of data from laptop to clients or just daily backups in case of accidents from mishandled luggage to coffee spills. Also comes in handy if you're worried about laptop theft and someone else having access to your important data, you can store it on this portable encrypted drive instead. For all those precious pictures, videos, music and data files, this external hard drive is a must have. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you save your critical data and take it with you. Plug your drive into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer (Windows only) Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software (Windows only) Up to 480Mb/sec Bus Transfer Rate with USB 2.0 System Requirements - Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later), Available USB port Approximate Unit Dimensions - 0.59 (H) x 4.96 (L) x 3.14 (W) Approximate Unit Weight - 0.23lb
Customer Reviews:
Finally, a Western Digital Passport Essential in 500 GB!!!November 23, 2008 The Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB Portable Drive adds a larger capacity to a brand of hard-drive I have come to rely on. For the longest time, I have used these WD passport drives for my portable backups. Finally a 500 GB model is here. The Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB was the largest capacity you could get for a while.
WD has been increasing variety by adding a variety of colors including black, red, yellow, white and blue. But other than that these drives are basically all the same. Considering how I've been buying different brands lately to get larger storage, I was happy to get my hands on this drive.
PROS: + Largest current capacity available in this line of products + Turns on and off with your computer or via system tray + Nice looks, though it does collect finger prints + USB powered, no A/C required + Works well on Windows Vista, XP and Mac OS X + Easy plug-and-play installation + Nice portable form factor that easily connects via USB + Integrates nicely with my growing stable of WD MyBook drives + Included software may be useful for some novices + Easy to set up disk encryption for security and privacy
CONS - Slow file transfer speeds for larger backups - Included software not useful for power users - Shiny body attracts scratch, fingerprints and dust - No case included
FEATURES
I have owned a bunch of these drives and used them with no problems on computers running Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X. The drive has a nice shiny exterior. The case can scratch in transit and the surface also attracts fingerprints and dust. But the look is still nice and you can easily purchase a case or holder for the drive if it bothers you. Most versions don't ship with the included case, but you can pick it up the CaseLogic Small External Hard Drive Case for $10 to $15.
Transfer speeds are still limited by the 480 Mps connection speed of USB 2.0, but performs somewhat slower than this when performing large backups. The USB2.0 speed rating can not really be achieved in production and you will get a fraction of that. But it's a trade-off that's worth it since it's USB-powered.
The software utilities included with this device will be most useful for beginners. I tested the backup software in particular but found it to be slow and impractical. I mean REALLY slow. It works, but cutting and pasting is better. Take my advice: don't use these utilities and just do cut and paste backups and saves to this drive.
I've had good luck with the passport line of drives. They seem to have lower failure rates than many MyBook drives, though I only had one issue with one of those. But these guys have held up fine.
CONCLUSION
It's nice to finally get the 500GB capacity in one of these drives. This drive is perfect for portable drive for backups on the run. There are smaller drives but other than capacity there is no real difference between them. I also own a LaCie Rugged 500GB Portable Hard Drive, and that drive seems more durable. It includes an additional fire-wire interface, but it does cost a little more. Considering how many of these I have to buy, I don't mind having a mix and match of both.
Enjoy!
Perfect - Simplicity, light, and HUGE CapacityNovember 16, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This USB drive is exactly what I was looking for, large capacity (500 GB), feels durable, compact and light, and simple to use on my Dell or Mac. Requires no electric power, and is so compact that it doesn't feel like I have anything else in my brief bag.
I bought in combination with the rubber skin (Premium Silicone Sleeve Case for Western Digital WD Passport Essential Elements Portable 2.5" Hard Drive - (Hard Drive NOT included!!)) - which added no "bulk" - only protection.
All of my work colleagues loved the combination....
Highest rating!
Nice.November 6, 2008 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This product is just as described, and quite nice. It's a great price for it's size; portable and no need for an A/C adapter, just a usb plug. The plug and play factor and weight is the largest plus of this, in my opinion. The only downsides I've come across by far is the finger-print-stained cover; it's best to keep a plastic cover or something over it, to keep it clear and finger print free. And, I didn't quite expect the WD program to be inside; it's somewhat troublesome for me, but it's not bad. I'm just more or so used to the drag-and-drop style of things and my own organization format. Overall, great price, great product, great buy.
Very impressive Drive!October 23, 2008 16 out of 20 found this review helpful
Quick summery, Works as advertised, easy to format to ntfs usable drive space on 500 is 465 the same as the previous My Book, it needs no external (additional power). The heat generated is not really noticeable at all.
potential negative: little white flashing light, there is no more disc noise than an IPOD. The only warning I would give is the lack of a case, it really needs protection and should (in my opinion) only be transported or even stored in a case. However this can't be held against the drive as far as its performance.
A little more commentary on reliability, and Price value.
I have purchased half a dozen passport drives in the last 90 days all but one are 320. So as a measure of reliability all of these drives have so far worked very well. They have not become louder or slower they are like they were in the beginning. I use some as dedicated backups and some for consolidation and centralization. As far as durability I have taken one with me on a few trips the first one I acquired. It functions without any noticeable difference as well.
Commentary about Price difference to follow.
No drive is 100% reliable few are in the high 90's for that long. This is of course my opinion, but when compared to the prior My Book 500 GB models of which a few each with power supplies etc. It is so great to not have to deal with big heavy drives with power supplies. When comparing that difference I believe this is certainly worth the price.
A final word on the drive. Not in recent memory have I seen the price for something like the passport drives be so different (in percent) due to color. If there is any difference in any of the WD passport models in color or stainless steel etc please let me know. If it is just aesthetics then as far as I am concerned who cares. Buy the color of your choice but if you are choosing based on price make sure to be aware that color or metal instead of plastic can make a huge difference. In the case of the 320 and 250 passport there seemed to be not just a very big price difference, often 15-35 percent, and this price would change based upon new models etc.
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