Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue)
The My Passport Essential Portable Hard Drive from Western Digital is your answer to sleek, 'future-proof' portability. With this bus-powered drive, you can have up to 5Gb/s USB 3.0 speeds with complete backward compatibility with USB 2.0, allowing you to take full advantage of your drive immediately while still ensuring future usability.
- Dual USB 3.0 / 2.0 Compatibility
- This drive delivers universal compatibility today and next-generation speed for tomorrow. Use it with USB 2.0 now and step up to USB 3.0 speed when you're ready.
- Fast Transfer Rates
- While connected to a USB 3.0 port this drive lets you access and save files up to 3x faster than USB 2.0.
- Maximum Capacity
- Store all your favorite photos, music, movies and important files on this high capacity, portable drive.
- WD SmartWare Software
- This intuitive software puts you in control of your backup. With the ability to install all the features, a select few, or none at all, this versatile bundled software provides an excellent option for continuous, automatic protection of your data. For additional security, there is the option for password-protected encryption of your personal files.
| Interface | USB 3.0 (backward compatible with USB 2.0) |
| Data Transfer Rate |
USB 2.0: Up to 480Mb/s USB 3.0: Up to 5Gb/s |
| System Compatibility | Formatted NTFS for Windows XP / Vista / 7, requires reformatting for Mac OS X 10.5 / 10.6 |
| Operating Temperature | 41-95°F (5-35°C) |
| Storage Temperature | -4-149°F (-20-65°C) |
| Dimensions | 0.6 x 4.3 x 3.2" (1.5 x 11.0 x 8.3 cm) |
| Weight | 0.31 lb (0.14 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 6 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
67%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (4)
- Quiet (4)
- Attractive (3)
- Large capacity / good size (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Photo storage (4)
- Additional storage (3)
- Back-up (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (4)
- Primary use:
- Business (3), Personal (3)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 6 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
- Easy to Customize
- Easy to Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup your media
- Educational Purposes
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
I use this external hd to backup my photography, music and financial documents.
This has become the backup for my computer and I have another backup too, however I like this Western Digital hd so much that it is my primary backup now. The size and portablility and reliability is great too.
Nothing so far. I've only had it for a few months though.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Small
Cons
- Difficult to Navigate
- Freezes or Crashes
- Manufacturer's Updates
Best Uses
- Doorstop
- Frisbee
- Paperweight
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
It was working great then a mandatory update suggested I should "Back up my My Passport Essential... Except I wasnt allowed to do so, it locked me out of the My Passport Essential so I was unable to back up what was my backup
So now its competely useless to me. IF you do buy it, and I wouldnt recommend it, make sure you are disconnected from the internet while it backs up so it cant force you to update it and mess up all your hard work and important backups like it did for me
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
This thing is tiny and fast! WD created a stable and small backup drive. I love it!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
My only complaint about this product is that the process for reconfiguring it for a Mac was a little cumbersome. It is totally Mac compatible and will work with Time Machine and everything, but the process to get there is not completely clear. I would probably recommend that a Mac user who wants to "plug and play" get an external hard drive that is pre-configured for Mac use. Once I figured it out it was really easy. Like most other people who reviewed this product, I gave up on the software that came with it and it made my life easier.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
I am a professional photographer and I use these as my off site storage. I dropped this into a bucket of water and it worked fine after, talk about durable!
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB Portable Hard Drive (Blue):
I didn't like because I couldn't view the photos in the passport on the TV or other devices. You can only use it from computer to computer to copy files.
- Primary use:
- Business
Displaying reviews 1-6
Hard Drive Sleeves & Cases
- Price: $8.98
Host Adapters
- Price: $27.99
Hubs & Adapters
- Price: $37.99
What's in the Box
- USB Cable
- WD SmartWare Software
- Quick Install Guide
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
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