Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive
-
Discontinued
Availability Details
CloseThis item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
The 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive from Western Digital is a portable hard drive with an innovative LCD display panel. The display can always be viewed, even when the drive is not connected to a computer. It displays your custom drive label, available capacity, and security status. This allows you to quickly identify what is stored on the drive, perfect for anyone who owns multiple drives.
The drive can connect to your computer via FireWire-800 or USB 2.0, or via FireWire-400 using the included adapter. It ships as an HFS+ formatted drive for use in Mac OS X, but can be reformatted for use by Windows operating systems. It ships with the WD SmartWare software suite, which provides visual backup, diagnostic tools, 256-bit hardware encryption, and more. The drive is bus-powered for truly portable operation.
- Smart Display
- Create your own personalized drive label to remind you of what's stored on each drive. You can even view the label when the drive is unplugged. The display also includes available capacity and security status
- FireWire-800
- Save and access data at top speeds with the high-performance FireWire-800 interface. Also includes USB 2.0 interface for maximum flexibility
- Designed for Use with Mac Computers
- Formatted for Mac and compatible with Apple Time Machine, this drive is plug-and-play ready for Mac computer users
- WD SmartWare
-
- See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup
- 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
- 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, manage the power settings, 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 256-bit hardware-based encryption
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 500GB |
| Interface |
1x 9-Pin FireWire-800 1x USB 2.0 (Micro 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 |
Mac OS X Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard Windows XP, Vista, 7 (Requires reformatting to FAT32 or NTFS) Computer with FireWire-800, FireWire-400, or USB 2.0 port |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Portable |
| Power Requirements | Bus-Powered |
| Environmental Requirements |
Operating Temperature: 41-95°:F (5-35°C) Storage Temperature: -4-149°F (-20-65°C) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.3 x 0.73 x 4.9" (8.3 x 1.9 x 12.4cm) |
| Weight | 0.4 lb (0.18kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 20 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Quiet (16)
- Attractive (7)
- Easy to install (7)
- Easy to set up (7)
- Easy to use (7)
Cons
Best Uses
- Photo storage (8)
- Additional storage (6)
- Back-up (6)
- File transfer (4)
- Video (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Frequent user (9), Casual user (4), Power user (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (12), Business (8)
Most Liked Positive Review
Portable and Handy
Small and light weight it serves it purpose, easy back-up and storage. Would have been nice if the cords were a bit longer and more flexible (they're a bit rigid and want to pop...Read complete review
Small and light weight it serves it purpose, easy back-up and storage. Would have been nice if the cords were a bit longer and more flexible (they're a bit rigid and want to pop out of the sockets if the unit is not placed just right). Display had a small flaw/mark on the inside of the window but it doesn't affect the performance of the drive.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
WD 500GB Passport
This product is a backup for a macbook pro - photos, letters, presentations, etc. So far, so good. At this point I haven't had enough time to truly evaluate the product under ...Read complete review
This product is a backup for a macbook pro - photos, letters, presentations, etc. So far, so good. At this point I haven't had enough time to truly evaluate the product under my normal use conditions. I am still loading information/data onto the unit. I don't like the idea that the need to change the "window" requires the loading of WD software. I have not heard very many good things about the WD software for their external drives.
Reviewed by 20 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- High-End Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
This is simply a firewire hard drive. As such, it did its job well - storing my data without failing.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- High-End Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
This HD is used for photos and Lightroom. It has served the purpose of what it was bought for.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
Cons
- Difficult To Install
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I bought this for my mac book pro and it works very smoothly backing up my files. The program is a little confusing in that you have to select various settings and functions so it is more than just an simple external hard drive like my WD that I use on my windows PC and the message to download an update resulted in a download that did not seem to function well.
The large capacity is certainly plenty for my needs to back up and the customizing feature that allows you to "label' the drive is unnecessary for my needs the label also shows the current utilization and space remaining again not something I need.
It is USB powered and highly portable.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
- Less standard USB connect
Best Uses
- Photo storage
- Video Editing
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
What I love about this drive is I can see not only how much free space is left without turning it on or having it hooked up to a computer, but I can organize my drives by client. I have a few of these and it's larger brother and use them to keep all my client photo and video shoots organized and easily accessible.
I primarily use the Firewire 800 port but occasionally have to use USB. I only wish it was the standard or more common USB end instead of the thin version.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I bought this product for a few of my film classes this semester, so I use it alot. I use it to keep all of my footage and projects safe and sound. This hard drive is small and easy to keep portable which is essential on a college campus! Looks great next to my macbook and the software is easy to use! Love this product!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Data storage and backup
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
Cons
- Runs Hot
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
This product is a backup for a macbook pro - photos, letters, presentations, etc. So far, so good. At this point I haven't had enough time to truly evaluate the product under my normal use conditions. I am still loading information/data onto the unit. I don't like the idea that the need to change the "window" requires the loading of WD software. I have not heard very many good things about the WD software for their external drives.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Video editing
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I use Western Digital for all my video editing. Never have lost information while using a WD drive. This particular hard drive is not the fastest drive but it's good for on-the-go editing.
The only thing I don't like about the Western Digital hard drives is the "WD SmartWare" that comes with the hard drive. It pops up every time you plug in the drive. Not a huge deal since you can go into the setting and turn the "Open WD SmartWare when drive is connected" off.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy to Customize
- Easy to Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I use the Western Digital hard drive to back up all of my capture and log video for my documentary filming. It works great, very sturdy and easy to use! The price is reasonable and you really get what you pay for. Highly recommended.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup storage
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I've connected it to my MacBook Pro and few minutes later my first full backup was started.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
Cons
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I bought this as a backup drive for my iMac, however it worked exactly one time and then locked up. I just put it in a box and am sending it back to Western Digital.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Nice portable drive for my Macbook. Has Firewire interface and comes with Firewire cable
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Compact, easy to use and very good for MAC
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Set Up
- Portable
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Just received this item a week ago and it works great.I'm not much of a computer geek so i was happy to see how easy it was to get it up . No problem backing up my photos on my mac pro. Plan on getting another one for my son
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I use this as the Time Machine external drive and it has worked perfectly right out of the box
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Small and light weight it serves it purpose, easy back-up and storage. Would have been nice if the cords were a bit longer and more flexible (they're a bit rigid and want to pop out of the sockets if the unit is not placed just right). Display had a small flaw/mark on the inside of the window but it doesn't affect the performance of the drive.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I got this for my daughter going to college so she could back up all work quickly and easily every day. She loves it and said it was a snap to use, the only thing she needed to read the instructions for was the encryption feature. WD has always made good products IMO so I expect it to last a least her 4 years.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
Where do I go I always have it with me, it's fast (using your firewire interface 800) and silent I always have all kinds of files and no problems.
I used it on a PC with MacDrive and did not recognize him, I guess it was because the lock.
It would be interesting to have a raid 1 system drive with more capacity at 7200 rpm.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
With the advent of media-based film/video production, these light-weight, portable drives have become indispensable for delivery of both raw footage and non-linear editing project files to clients. The fact that they're bus-powered also enhances their portability and convenience.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Passport Studio Portable Hard Drive:
I used this to backup my hard drive on a MAC. It works well and I would suggest this product.
The display on the front did not display the info I thought it would, but that is probably because I did not read the manual.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Displaying reviews 1-20
Hard Drive Sleeves & Cases
- Price: $9.90
- GBP 6.32
Host Adapters
- Price: $24.95
- GBP 15.93
What's in the Box
- USB Micro Cable
- FireWire-800 Cable
- FireWire-800 to FireWire-400 Adapter
- Quick Install Guide
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
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