Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive
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Discontinued
Availability Details
CloseThis item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
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The 3TB 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 | 3TB |
| 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 Note: In order to use a drive larger than 2 TB, you will need an operating system that can partition and format that drive. Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP (64-bit), Mac OSX 10.4.x (Tiger), Mac OSX 10.5.x (Leopard), Mac OSX 10.6.x (Snow Leopard), and Mac OSX 10.7.x (Lion) all have this capability through the GUID Partitioning Table (GPT). The GUID partitioning scheme has the ability to partition both internal and external drives far beyond 2 TB's in size. |
| 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 30 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to navigate (8)
- Easy to use (6)
- Versatile (6)
- Easy to customize (5)
- Easy to set up (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia (14)
- Back-up (7)
- Additional storage (5)
- Photo storage (4)
- File transfer (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (3)
- Primary use:
- Personal (16), Business (13)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (15), Mac (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
Large Storage for low price
Western Digital is a brand that you can trust is built well. These drives don't seem to suffer from mechanical failure as long as you treat them right (don't drop, keep in cool dry...Read complete review
Western Digital is a brand that you can trust is built well. These drives don't seem to suffer from mechanical failure as long as you treat them right (don't drop, keep in cool dry place, away from magnets).
Other brands I have tried in the past broke down after about 4 - 5 years. I have several smaller Western Digitals and they still work.
B&H pricing for this drive gives you 3TB at the cost other companies only give you about 2TB. Definitely worth the money for so much space on this drive.
This drive is also pretty quiet. You could sleep while copying files. Has small unobtrusive LED that is subtle and won't blind you when its doing its thing.
You can reformat the drive to any file system you like.
I would buy 2 if I had the money and mirror them.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
inexpensive, but slow
Its hard to rate a hard drive, as it either works or it doesn't and if it fails its not likely to be in the first week. This drive seems to be working fine....Read complete review
Its hard to rate a hard drive, as it either works or it doesn't and if it fails its not likely to be in the first week. This drive seems to be working fine.
The price on this 3TB drive is great, no doubt, but being limited to
USB 2 speeds really undermines the value. I can imagine that if you were to copy 3TB of data in one sitting it would take several days to complete.
Not sure what else to say. The case is attractive enough. It's a 3.5" mechanism so it requires an external power source.
Reviewed by 30 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
easily hooked up to computer, fast running lots of space and extra left over. I use it for movies and to back up my pc.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
great product. no problems so far!!!!!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Formatting went by flawlessly on my MacBook Pro and backing up couldn't be easier, just plug in and move. There is so much memory and then some. The Power adapter helps my USB hub find this hdd without fail, which isn't the case for my USB powered hdd. Would definitely recommend this with is matte top and shiny sides. The actual size isn't huge either. Its simply perfect and surprisingly quiet
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Affordable
- High Capacity
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Backup
- Photo Storage
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Western Digital is a brand that you can trust is built well. These drives don't seem to suffer from mechanical failure as long as you treat them right (don't drop, keep in cool dry place, away from magnets).
Other brands I have tried in the past broke down after about 4 - 5 years. I have several smaller Western Digitals and they still work.
B&H pricing for this drive gives you 3TB at the cost other companies only give you about 2TB. Definitely worth the money for so much space on this drive.
This drive is also pretty quiet. You could sleep while copying files. Has small unobtrusive LED that is subtle and won't blind you when its doing its thing.
You can reformat the drive to any file system you like.
I would buy 2 if I had the money and mirror them.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Great price
- Large Capacity
- Manufacturer
- PnP
- Portable
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Backup
- Multimedia
- Photos
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
After being in need of additional space due to my PC drive being full, I started to look for a solution. Initially looked at 1TB and 1.5TB drives but the prices seemed high. After a couple of weeks I came across this 3TB drive. It was only slightly more than many of the 1 and 1.5TB drives and a real bargain compared to the other vendors. Arrived quickly and has performed well to date. It was pre-formatted and did not contain unnecessary software like some drives.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Price
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Low bandwidth
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Its hard to rate a hard drive, as it either works or it doesn't and if it fails its not likely to be in the first week. This drive seems to be working fine.
The price on this 3TB drive is great, no doubt, but being limited to
USB 2 speeds really undermines the value. I can imagine that if you were to copy 3TB of data in one sitting it would take several days to complete.
Not sure what else to say. The case is attractive enough. It's a 3.5" mechanism so it requires an external power source.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy to Customize
- Easy to Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Film
- Multimedia
- Photography
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Storing RAW Photographs, and videos/
It's a great price for 3TB, and it works great!
No power button.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy to Customize
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Good price. I use this to backup my server. Workswell, and very quiet.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Compatible with Imac
- Easy to Navigate
Cons
- Wish it could daisy chain
Best Uses
- Backing up your computer
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I am using it with an imac. Plug it in and it starts backing up my computer with Time machine with the click of 1 button! Awesome, 3tb also gives me more room than my 2 tb hardrive in my computer so I can pull "extra"files over to the external with plenty of room.
Thanks!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy to Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Educational Purposes
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
easy to use, lots of room
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy to Customize
- Easy to Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia
- Storage easy access
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
Great for storage. Replacing my optical media archiving with these hard drives.
These drives do NOT get hot (I love that).
I already own 2T's and love them!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I purchased this drive to house all our family photos, and videos. This 3TB drive will be able to hold many, many memories to come! I am having an issue getting the WD icon to show correctly on the PC drives screen, but very minor issue for the drive itself.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Good Size
- Portable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I needed a back up for the volumes of photographs on my computer and this fit the bill. Plenty of room and down loads fast as well. And it is small in size fitting in my camera bag, very portable.
- 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 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
This drive is an excellent value. The drive arrived exactly on the day it was promised by B&H and it performed perfectly right out of the box. I use it exclusively with Linux, and it is quiet, fast, and efficient.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Linux
Pros
- Easy to Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Educational Purposes
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
The price was good, installation was simple, it's working well- writing this about a month after beginning to use it, on a Mac Mini for video storage.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- 3 TB for the price
Cons
- Slower USB 20
Best Uses
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
As long as you understand it's only USB 2.0, so it's a bit slow, it's a huge amount of space for only 3TB. I own two of them.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Multimedia
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I personally have never had a problem with any of my WD drives. I do wish these newer drives had a power button. I see mixed reviews of drive failure. I own a ton of these drives multiple years old. Obviously there are always exceptions. I have never had a problem. I don't leave them on 24/7. Thats just unnecessary wear and tear. I think the drives are a great value.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Lots of storage
- Reasonable price
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Backup storage
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I replaced a WD 500GB Elements with this 3TB external USB drive. Easy install and will not have to worry about backup storage space for a long time. Of course that's what I said a few years ago when I purchased a 250GB drive!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy to install
- Fast quiet
- Great price
- lots of storage space
Cons
- None I can think of
Best Uses
- Backup storage
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
This 3TB external drive was simple to install and is fast and super quiet. What a tremendous amount of storage price at such a great price! I backed up my entire c: drive and still have almost 80% left.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Slow to wake up
Best Uses
- Storage
Comments about Western Digital 3TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive:
I use this drive only for manual backups and for this purpose it works well and I recommend it. The main drawback is that it is a little slow to wake up but for my use this doesn't matter. If you want to edit directly from this drive this issue may be a concern.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
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What's in the Box
- USB Cable
- AC Adapter
- Quick Install Guide
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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