Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive
The 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive from Western Digital brings the speed of USB 3.0 to your fingertips. With bus transfer speeds up to 5Gbps*, it only takes a sliver of time to access and save media files or back up your computer. This sleek, high capacity drive includes password protection for added privacy and security.
Preformatted with the NTFS file system for use with Windows systems, Mac users can reformat the drive via Disk Utility. As Mac OS X doesn't offer native support for USB 3.0, it will work as a USB 2.0 device when used with a Mac. The drive comes with the WD SmartWare software suite for data backup management.
Note! * 5Gbps is the maximum theoretical data transfer speed of USB 3.0. The actual data transfer speed can vary and is typically lower.
- Dual USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Interface
- A single drive with 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.
- Up to 3x Faster Transfer Rates
- When connected to a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port this drive lets you access and save files up to 3 times faster than USB 2.0. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in as little as 3 minutes instead of 13 minutes!
- WD Quality Inside and Out
- For over 20 years, millions of people worldwide have trusted their data to WD hard drives. WD is successful because they understand the importance of your data: their first concern is keeping that data safe.
- WD SmartWare Software
- You're in control of your backup. Install all the features, select just the components you need, or if you prefer, choose not to use the software at all.
- Automatic, Continuous Backup
- Works quietly in the background to protect your data using minimal PC resources. Whenever you add or change a file it's instantly backed up.
- Password Protection for Privacy
- Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access with password protection and encryption.
- Planet Friendly
- WD designed a small box that uses recycled material and minimizes waste. You are encouraged to recycle it.
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2TB |
| Interface | 1x USB 3.0 (B) |
| Drive Speed |
Not Specified by Manufacturer
1
Please Note:Varies depending on internal drive installed in the enclosure close |
| Buffer | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Average Seek Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Sustained Data Transfer Rate | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| System Requirements |
Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7; Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6 (Must be reformatted for use with OS X; Works as a USB 2.0 disk when used with OS X) Hardware: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Desktop |
| Power Requirements | AC: 100-240VAC, 47-63Hz |
| Environmental Requirements |
Operating Temperature: 41-95°F (5-35°C) Storage Temperature: -4-149°F (-4-65°C) |
| Dimensions | 1.9 x 6.5 x 5.3" (4.8 x 16.5 x 13.5cm) |
| Weight | 2.6 lb (1.2kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 55 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Quiet (41)
- Easy to install (28)
- Fast (26)
- Easy to setup (21)
- Easy to use (21)
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional storage (19)
- Back-up (18)
- Photo storage (15)
- High-end multimedia (14)
- File transfer (9)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (16), Frequent user (15), Heavy duty user (11), Casual user (7)
- Primary use:
- Personal (37), Business (18)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (22)
Most Liked Positive Review
My second My Book External Hard Drive
I bought this drive to be double safe. Last year I got a One T My Book. This time, I backed up my entire internal hard drive on the 2 T My Book by...Read complete review
I bought this drive to be double safe. Last year I got a One T My Book. This time, I backed up my entire internal hard drive on the 2 T My Book by Western Digital. It has a USB 3.0 cable and is really fast. All software is built-in and so it's just plug and play. Big bang for the buck and I would definitely recommend to others.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Still evaluating, but so far so good.
Read various reviews about unit. It is not recommended for portable use. Forced me to install WD harddrive driver, which I didn't like. Could have used it without driver, but after reading about...Read complete review
Read various reviews about unit. It is not recommended for portable use. Forced me to install WD harddrive driver, which I didn't like. Could have used it without driver, but after reading about other issues didn't feel like taking the risk. Otherwise, still evaluating.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 55 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attractive Design
- 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 My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I am getting ready to move to a new computer and wanted to back up all my data....over 1 TB worth of data!
I hooked up the WD 2TB external HD and went to bed. It took about 12 hours (remember it was 1 TB of data), but everything worked flawlessly.
I did not use any of the provided s/w. I prefer Karen's Replicator - free and dependable.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I wish it came without software. I did not install it, and now every time I plug in this drive, it is asking me to install it and when I refuse it gives me an installation error. Drive works anyway. Let
see for how long.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
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 My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I purchased this drive as an add on for my Dish Network Satelite... saving old movies.
It is very attractive compared to the 1 TB drive that it is replacing.
The price was perfect. Follow up from the company was great. Couldn't recommend it more.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- File Transfer
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
You can not beat these hard drives for the price. Fast reliable and important to me they are quiet. We have tried a different brands and have had failures and poor performance. These Western Digital USB 3.0 move data around quickly. I highly recommend this product.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I first experiences WD external drive about 2 years ago. They are still working super. I've ordered several for my son for collage use, got who at my house for Multi-storage and have just order several more for my office use.
- Primary use:
- Business
- 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 My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Very good hard drive - big, cheap, quiet and works seconds after plugging it in without any issues.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- Fast
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
- Small
Cons
- Can Not Network
- No display
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I use this product as an extra hard drive for my desktop and it works fast and flawlessly!
The only con about this specific model is that there is no display on the front and it can not be networked.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Most of us know we need to back up important files, but as our files get bigger (photos are now 25MB each) it just takes so long that we often skip the backup. Not a good idea...sooner or later you WILL get bitten.
This drive will hold huge amounts of data and is capable (with a USB 3.0 port available) of backing up files almost as fast as saving or copying them on your internal disk. For me, this means that I actually DO back up files regularly. Actually, I got two of these and store all my photos on one and have my editing software automatically save to both drives each time I save, so I always have 2 up-to-date copies of everything on two separate drives. Nothing is absolutely failure proof, but I believe that this is about as close as you're going to get. Speed is very much faster than older USB drives (by a factor of 10, I believe,...they're REALLY fast) and they take up very little physical room on a shelf or desk. This unit does not draw power from the USB port and needs to be plugged into a wall socket. Probably not a problem for most folks, but thought I'd mention it.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Easy to use. Using it as a backup. I have used other Western Digital external HDs and I am very pleased.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Great product - USB 3.0 makes this thing sing!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Just plug it in and start storing
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
- Not easy for backups from
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I am using this to backup my other hard drives but i am disappointed that it has no back up option for other hard drives.every time i want to back up my hard drives i need to copy it and paste it all over and it won't automatically back up the changes.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I use it for offsite backup of my photos. When I return from a photo trip I backup all new photos and keep the drive offsite just in case. This is my 2nd drive for this purpose as I filled up my 1tb WD drive.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
- Works as it should
Cons
- Interface options
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
What can you say about a simple drive that works? I had to reformat for MAC, but it was simple and quick. I use it for Time MAchine backup and it runs just fine. Very good hard drive space for the money. It is only USB 2.0 interface, but for general storage or file backup, this is no problem.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
It's easy to use this Hard Drive ,i have just done format,it seems nothing happened so far
Pro's: The instruction detailed shows everything!! easy to use
Con's: It's too big "for me"
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- High Capacity
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Read various reviews about unit. It is not recommended for portable use. Forced me to install WD harddrive driver, which I didn't like. Could have used it without driver, but after reading about other issues didn't feel like taking the risk. Otherwise, still evaluating.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
The external hard drive is faster than I could have expected.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Photo Storage, additional storage and windows backup
- Primary use:
- Personal
- 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
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
Pretty Good. I haven't seen any unbelievably fast speeds but its definitely faster than a USB 2.0.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
Cons
- Noisy
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
Comments about Western Digital 2TB My Book Essential External Desktop Hard Drive:
I go through a lot of media as I am a videographer for a news organization. I have had 2TB Ext hd before but in USB 2.0.... Now I have this baby and transferring is a breeze. The only thing I can say is that it's not the quietest Ext hd but it's not the loudest neither. It's not loud enough to be a problem
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- USB Cable
- AC Adapter
- WD SmartWare Software
- Quick Install Guide
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
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