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The world’s most popular portable drive is now smaller than ever. And it’s smarter than ever with WD SmartWare data management and backup software that backs up your data automatically and continuously, shows your backup as it happens, and restores lost files effortlessly. Password protection and military-grade, 256-bit hardware-based encryption lets you secure your data. One of the five beautiful colors is just what you need to make you look smart (and very stylish). WD’s smallest portable drive ever - WD is an expert in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside a stylish package. With a variety of fun colors, there’s sure to be one to suit your style. WD SmartWare - control center for your drive that gives you the power to: Protect your data automatically - Relax. Your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file. See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content categories and shows the progress of your backup. Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file. Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, and more from the WD SmartWare control center. Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and military-grade 256-bit hardware-based encryption. Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PCs - if you’re a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product. USB 2.0 powered - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*. * An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port. Planet friendly - We designed a small box that uses recycled material and minimizes waste. We encourage you to recycle it.
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Technical Details
- Automatic, continuous backup- Visual backup control center
- Password protection and 256-bit encryption
- USB 2.0 interface
- Several colors to choose from including Black, Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver
See more technical details
By Claire Jordan (New Orleans, LA)
I've had bad experiences with two Western Digital drives in the past so I was a little leery about using this one, but it's the smallest, most convenient drive I've ever seen so I thought I'd give it a shot. Seriously, this drive is not much bigger than an iPhone! I'm on a Mac and I already have a drive dedicated to automated back ups, so I reformatted this one for Mac OSX using the extended journal option with Disk Utility. Doing this deletes the software that comes loaded on the drive, but since I don't need any of the features provided by the software (back up management) I'd rather have the free space.
I've been using it as redundant storage for video files. Given my past experiences with WD drives, I'm not ready to put anything on it that's not also stored somewhere else for safety. So far it's worked like a little champ. It's the first portable drive I've had that really could fit in a pocket! It moves my video files as fast as any of my other USB2 drives. I don't mind the new USB cable, after all, change happens, but I have to be extra careful that I keep it with the drive. If I misplace it I don't have a dozen extras in the back of a drawer like I do with micro-USB cables.
So far I really like it. I'll update if that changes.
By S. Dang (Los Angeles, CA)
I have used many Western Digital portable hard disks before and with Western Digital's My Passport Essentials 500GB, they continue to improve. For a USB 2.0 device, it delivers blazing throughput compared to a flash thumb drive. Of course it's much bigger than a thumbdrive, but smaller and more slick than previous models, and other competitor's similar capacity drives. For the price, it's great. 500GB offers plenty of space in an improved compact form factor. It has no rough or sharp edges.. The unit is entirely sleek and nice to handle.
The reason this product doesn't get a perfect score is because there are a few improvements that could have been made.
1. The microUSB cable is separate. It could have been built in and hidden away in a storage slot. This would have made transporting the device a seamless experience, rather than having to carry the drive in one pocket in my bag, and the cable in another or sticking out the same pocket.
2. The finish is very easy to scratch. The case itself is made of polyurethane glossy piano black plastic. It became very scuffed up with light rubbing against other devices as well as it's own cable. After about 3 weeks, it looks like crap. The could have just made the case textured with a matte finish. That would have solved that problem.
3. The case is not well protected from short falls/drops. I would have liked to see a rounded rubber guard or something to encompass impact points in an accidental drop.
4. The device uses MicroUSB. This type of physical interface is poorly designed for frequent use. I have many other devices using this type of cable/port combo and several of them have failed specifically on the microusb jack. It was a choice to use for a device that requires frequent plugging/unplugging. The should have gone with mini-USB, which are more prevalent and therefore mini-USB replacement cables are cheap and plentiful at your local computer store. MicroUSB replacement cables are getting more and more common, but as of this writing, they aren't readily available at Best Buys or other major electronic outlets.
Other than those physical flaws, I would rate this drive very highly on functionality. Let's hope it doesn't fail on me. If it does, I will update this review.
By David Perez
DON'T BUY THIS!!! The design is ok except for the most important thing: USB connection! The cable is reaaally loose! READ THE REVIEWS! If you move the drive even a bit while transferring your stuff it will crash and probably lose everything!!! I didn't read the reviews before buying this otherwise I shouldn't have bought it. Luckily I only had it for one day so I was able to return it and buy a 640GB toshiba canvioToshiba Canvio Plus 640 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive E05A064CAU2XK (Raven Black) for $78! Toshibas are waaay better and stable.
By N. K. (Central Plains)
I originally chose this drive because of it's capabilities of being a plain Jane external drive without having to use the backup software enclosed. After reading many reviews I became nervous that I was only going to be able to use this as an automatic backup.
Once I plugged the hard drive into my PC and it did it's autorun, I simply chose to cancel the autorun and that was that. It now functions as a perfectly normal external drive. I immediately deleted the installed software from the drive and no longer need to worry about it losing it's external drive capabilities.
The drive stays on 24x7 along with my computer. You can tell when it's in use since it begins flashing whenever something on it is accessed. A great plus about the drive is that it shuts down when the computer shuts down as well, leading to minimal wear on the drive.
Having also an old 200GB Maxtor drive, I expected a slow write speed, when in fact it's significantly faster than the older drive, even though both are using USB 2.0. Speaking of USB 2.0, that's where this little tyke draws its power!! SUPER PORTABLE! I carry it in my purse with me to work, friends, vacation, everywhere! I've decided to pamper mine and bought it its own hard case to keep that gorgeous finish from getting scratched up. Visually this drive is very sleek and VERY attractive! It's extremely cute. You can read the dimensions, but until you actually hold this light weight in your hands, you really have no idea how small it really is.
I would highly recommend this drive if you're wanting something simply as an external without automatic backup. I'm unable to review the backup software because I refuse to use it.
By Gluteus Maximus (SoCal)
I really like this portable hard drive. It is very small and weighs practically nothing yet holds lots of stuff. I love the fact that it is powered by the usb cable. One less cable to carry especially a big ac adapter. I didn't really bother using the software that it came with. Some people here reviewed them pretty badly based on the software. As far as hardware it is great and it is fast. I prefer to use other companies to take care of the backup situation for my computer.
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