Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive
The 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive from Western Digital is a high-capacity desktop hard drive with a no-frills design. The disk is housed in a compact metal enclosure, and boasts the ubiquitous USB 2.0 interface.
The drive is preformatted for use in Windows, and can be reformatted for use with Mac OS X using Apple's Disk Utility application. The drive is ready to use right out of the box -- you won't have to load any software from a CD to get the drive to work. It is an excellent option for users who would like to add storage capacity to their system.
- Designed with the same commitment to quality that made WD external drives the number one selling drives in the world
- Plug-and-play design allows you to connect the power and plug the drive into a USB port to instantly add more storage to your computer
- Turns on and off with your computer. Enters idle mode when not in use. Utilizes a WD drive with power-saving WD GreenPower Technology and an EnergyStar compliant power supply
- Packaged in a minimized eco-friendly, recyclable packaging made from recycled materials
- Designed for use with Windows-based computers. Can be easily reformatted for use with Macs
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2TB |
| Interface | 1x USB 2.0 (mini B) |
| Drive Speed | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Buffer | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Average Seek Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Sustained Data Transfer Rate | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| System Requirements |
Windows XP, Vista, 7; Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 USB 2.0 port |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Desktop |
| Power Requirements | AC: 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz |
| Environmental Requirements |
Operating Temperature: 41-95°F (5-35°C) Storage Temperature: -4-149°F (-20-65°C) |
| Dimensions | 4.59 x 7.01 x 1.42" (11.65 x 17.80 x 3.6 cm) |
| Weight | 2.2 lb (1kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 447 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Large capacity / good size (402)
- Easy to use (391)
- Easy to setup (371)
- Quiet (346)
- Attractive (217)
Cons
- No power switch (108)
- Slow (29)
- Unreliable (6)
- Difficult to use (5)
Best Uses
- Back-up (356)
- Additional storage (338)
- Photo storage (282)
- Video (226)
- File transfer (147)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (258), Casual user (178)
- Primary use:
- Personal (349), Business (89)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (47), Mac (28)
Most Liked Positive Review
Very Good Hard Drive So Far
I bought this hard drive to replace a Seagate 1.5 that appears to be dying after about a year of fairly heavy use. The ease of use straight out of the box lent a great...Read complete review
I bought this hard drive to replace a Seagate 1.5 that appears to be dying after about a year of fairly heavy use. The ease of use straight out of the box lent a great deal to the otherwise hassle and fear associated with this task. The act of restoring my 850GB volume of music took about 30 hours, pretty good for a USB connection, with no pauses, no errors, and NO pre-installed WD backup software to muck things up.The appearance of the drive is quite simple, smaller than expected with a shiny cover on the sides that is typical for WD cases. I would rather the cases be flat to avoid finger smudges though that did come in handy once when pulling fingerprints after a robbery. The drive is silent as far as I can tell and it stays warm at best, though there is no ventilation that I can see. I touch tested the temparature several times during the 30 hour restore and it was cooler than the other drive that I was backing up, never uncomfortably hot even after a full minute.The box is made to sit flat, not upright and has four rubber feet that barely lift the case off the surface, but apparently enough to not cause significant temparature issues. Some might find the resulting footprint less desirable, but I prefer to sit my drives flat anyway when the case design offers the choice, as I don't like hard drive stands, don't trust them. Anyway, I would feel comfortable stacking the drives without the fear of overheating, since no hot air is being forced out of the casing to contribute heat to the other drive(s).I have since begun using this drive as my primary music library, which I use for my internet radio show. The Seagate in its prime would pause at times when I would click play for a song (slow startup after not in use for several minutes). So far this WD drive has not displayed any lag in access times, boots up quickly and can remain connected to the PC for days without any degragation in speed or access.My current computer does not support SATA or other higher speed connectors, so this drive right now was the perfect choice for my needs, especially at the great price. If I had to make a complaint about anything, it would be that the activity light is in the back of the drive where it can't be seen. As long as the drive performs like it has so far, I won't need the warm fuzzy of the blinking light to assure me that it is working, but it is helpful to be able to see it when the system slows down or becomes unresponsive. The other possible negative is the short USB cable, though I just swapped it out for a longer one I already had.On a side note, this is my first experience with B&H and I have zero complaints. [...]and were in flawless condition. I am usually hesitant about electronics stores out of NYC due to the massive amount of cheap product stores out there, but this company proved my usual stereotype completely wrong. [...] and the opportunity to shop somewhere other than[...]
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
I think it is slower than the 1.5TB
I purchased the 1.5TB version of this drive model maybe ten months ago and have been very happy with it. I recently bought the 2TB version and have been experiencing some problems - I am...Read complete review
I purchased the 1.5TB version of this drive model maybe ten months ago and have been very happy with it. I recently bought the 2TB version and have been experiencing some problems - I am concerned it isn't really adequately 'fast' for playing/encoding video files, despite its advertised usefulness as a media drive. I'm not sure I'll ever know whether or not this is what's been causing problems for me, so I feel I wouldn't have better insight with further usage time, frustratingly. But my impression is that video files that played fine from the 1.5TB model aren't playing smoothly from this 2TB one. I recognize that other factors could be at work instead, but I am disappointed with the 'vibe' I'm getting. Take it for what it's worth -- maybe not much, but maybe something.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 447 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attractive Design
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
easy to install, but not working with my older powerpc computer. i'm sure the operating systems that it works with were listed, i just assumed there wouldn't be a problem. so if you have an older computer, be sure to check if it will work.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Used this to backup my harddrive and I am storing it in a firesafe box since it has all of my digital pictures and videos on it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Apple Time Machine
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I bought this drive in January to use as a Time Machine backup disk for MacOS X. Took only a few minutes to hook up and format, and it has been running smoothly ever since. I have about 1.6 TB of data on it and backups occur every hour. It is always on, but so quiet I don't even notice it's there. I'm back to buy a 2.5 TB version.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
so far, works as expected.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
great for backup
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
This HDD works well for me - gets about 1.8TB net space. No issues. The only minor drawback if you ask me would be that there is no on-off switch on the HDD - but, unless you connect the USB cable to your computer the HDD seems to be kind of a standby mode - so, didn't have a problem with it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
The drive is used as an archive storage to off load my mirrored network storage from old data.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Does what it's suppose to. Cheaply.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I had already purchased one for myself some time ago. Now, when my youngest daughter purchased a superior digital camera, I chose to buy a second for her to use in storing her hundreds of photos. She was as surprised and hrilled as I had been to discover how quick and quietly the hard drive works.
Great price - great service - great hard drive!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I would say starting off that I wasn't even interested in buying a 2TB Hard Drive the evening I purchased the Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive. But when I saw that it was on sale for less than $100, I couldn't pass up the offer. Not because of the amount of storage I knew I would have, but because it was definitely a possible investment that would be beneficial to me in the long run.
Prior to this purchase I was using a 320GB by Western Digital. It definitely got me through some major workflow schedules...but as a filmmaker one always needs more storage, because you just never know! So as I was reaching the limits of my 320GB, I knew it was time for another purchase. I would have settled for a 1TB or even a 500GB. But I guess the universe had something else planned, because that 2TB popped up at the right time.
I use the 2TB Elements Desktop HD as my back up now. And my 320GB is free to be utilized as the HD that I work off of, without hassle or limitation. We all know that everything has an expiration date, but at the moment...as a traveling artist, I believe Hard Drives are the way to go!
What's Great About the 2TB Elements Desktop HD:
- Lots of Storage space
- Dependable
- Great investment, if on sale!
- Perfect Backup Hard Drive
What's Not So Great:
- Wish there wasn't an AC Adaptor that you had to plug into a socket for power up (my 320GB is a native USB power up)
- Heavier than I thought it was going to be (which isn't too bad, but have to be more careful in terms of moving it around)
- Doesn't have Firewire, and it's only a 2.0 USB (not fast enough when you need to dump-and-go on the fly)
But overall, a great investment when you need a back up Hard Drive. This really saved my life! Haha!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I use the drive for a Time Machine backup, and it's been great. It's quiet and has a small footprint. For a basic, 2TB backup drive, you can't beat it for the price. It's a little slow since it's USB 2.0, but that doesn't really matter for a backup drive. It quietly does it's thing in the background.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Great large capacity external hard drive for the money. As long as you don't move it around, it seems pretty reliable. My first one I dropped and lost everything, so just got a replacement.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- Quiet
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Photo & Video back up
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Durable
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
This economical storage device is reliable and easy to use. It fills good to know that you have something built with quality.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Im using these drives to back up video data and remove older projects from my editing array.
they are small physically and light, good for sitting on shelves.
they are slow. Im used to firewire and better, but it is a trade off for the size and cost
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
exelent great product...[...]
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I use this drive in an array for backups. For that, it's perfect. I'm a big fan of WD after years of using this drive, and bought with confidence.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Partitioned the HD into 2 drives to backup both my MAC and PC. Worked great, no issues.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I have 7 of these drives now. They are a great price and are quite. I have not had a failure yet or a DOA which is pretty good considering i usually have at least 30-40% DOA on hard drives in the past couple of years and several more fail within 6 months. The WD drives are solid though and i love the small form factor of them so they dont take up so much space. I dont think you can beat these for the price!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Great external, for a great price and I got my item the next day.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- USB Cable
- AC Adapter
- Quick Install Guide
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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