Western Digital 320 GB Passport 2.5" USB 2.0 Hard Drive
by Western Digital
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List Price: Our Price: $139.99 You Save: $60.00 (30%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $69.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Western Digital 320 GB Passport 2.5" USB 2.0 Hard Drive
Customer Review: A Supermodel among 2.5" USB 2.0 Hard Drives
Summary: 5 Stars
So I finally decided to upgrade from my 80GB portable USB 2.0 hard drive and decided to get this 320GB 2.5" USB Hard Drive from Western Digital. I spent lots of time researching all the different 2.5" external hard drives out there and this one seemed to be the most simple, stylish, and affordable. What can I say? I'm cheap :) Anyways, this external hard drive is great and here's why:
"The Cool" :
-Slim, Slick, Solid, Simple, and Sexy
-Comes with USB to mini-usb cable (which is all you need to use it)
-Nice blue read/write light (tells you if it's working hard or hardly working... idle, I mean :)
-Glossy Piano Black Finish and nice simple and elegant shape/design
-Super Quiet! (in a totally quiet room, you may hear a very, very slight hum... but chances are you won't hear anything at all)
-The Mini-USB port on the drive is protected by a rubber cover or "door"... which you can open or close. ( I wonder if it's water proof?)
-Comes with software included on the drive to back-up your computer files... but you absolutely don't need to use it if you don't want to.
-Pretty fast transfer speed.
-Compatible with PC and MAC computers.
The "Not So Cool":
- It should have come with some sort of zippered case or slip cover... another reviewer had mentioned that they used to include a zippered case with space for the cable. That would've been nice... since this thing was made for portability.
- The way the external hard drive case is designed doesn't make it easy for us Geeks to open it up and "upgrade" it if we need to do so in the future.
Conclusion: This hard drive really is a great little gadget. It does what it's supposed to and looks good doing it. It's also much quieter than I had expected. It's easy for anyone to use... just plug it in to your USB port on any computer, and you're set. So if you're in the market for a very small 2.5" portable USB 2.0 hard drive, this baby does the trick!
Customer Review: Love Hate Relationship
Summary: 3 Stars
I've owned this product for several months and would like to say that I hate it and love it, all at the same time. Let me explain. I love that it's 320GB. I love that it doesn't require an extra plug to get it up and running. I love that it's small and portable.
HOWEVER, what I hate is that often my computer doesn't recognize it, or that it randomly decides to disconnect and reconnect to my computer (in a virtual sense, not physical). This is particularly annoying when I'm listening to music or moving files around. My solution at this point is to physically disconnect it and connect it until the connection sticks.
My fear is that one day I will not be able to access anything on this drive. So, I'm forced to back everything up, perhaps wise, but that means now I have to have 640GB instead of 320GB for the same files.
When I first bought this hard drive I thought "WOW! I can make this like a virtual computer and have access to my files anywhere there is a computer." This has not been the case. It seems the more I disconnect it and reconnect it on another machine, the more problems I have. So, I have to be selective. I don't just take it anywhere "just in case."
So in conclusion, I have to say I love that I can throw this thing in my purse and take it with me to work or vice versa instead of hauling around an entire laptop. I love that this little hard drive has more hard drive space than my laptop. But, it's unreliable, more than normal pieces of technology. So, if you're like me and have a desktop or another hard drive that you can back this up onto or don't wish to use it for your only copy of important documents, then I would go ahead and get it. Otherwise, you're just waiting for a disaster to occur.
Customer Review: Excellent Mobile Storage
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned several Western Digital Passport drives and a few other mobile drive brands. This drive is great for backups, as you can hook it up fast without a power supply and store it anywhere. Put it in your briefcase, put it in your safe, take it with you anywhere and keep a copy of your data. It is almost pocket-size and the only thing you have to keep with you is a short USB cable. Some people consider the short cable that's included to be too short, but it's mobile!
Some owners have commented on needing a power adapter or extra usb cable for it, but I've never had that issue. I've used it on multiple desktops and multiple laptops with no issues at all, but you'll have to try it on your own system.
The surface of the Passports (shiny, black material) can be easy to scratch if you throw it around or keep it in your bag with other items. That would be my only complaint, but it doesn't really bother to me.
The speed is very responsive. I've used it on an XP and Vista machine and both have copied data to it fairly quick. I haven't performed tests on it, but it always gets the job done for me. The 320GB version is a great upgrade on the previous Passport models.
Customer Review: My Second Passport
Summary: 5 Stars
My original passport was a 160GB hard drive and I thought I wouldn't need another but scarcely a year later I wound up getting this 320GB and I have to say it was the perfect size. It quickly became not only a place to back up files but as a second hard drive.
The enclosure is tough sleek and pretty, although if you put it into your book bag, the shiny plastic will scratch. The enclosure seems sturdy, it has a USB 2.0 interface and draws power directly from USB so no need for a power supply.
I wound up putting a sticker on it to tell the difference between my 160GB and my 320GB. The 160GB drive became a pure backup drive.
I have to admit that when the Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDME5000TN (Midnight Black) drive came out, I wound up upgrading to that drive.
However, for the price - this 320GB drive is fantastic and I can't recommend it enough. If you don't have a passport, you should seriously consider getting one to back up your data.
Customer Review: These devices are more than just for storage...
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not going into details on this specific drive as many people have already. I want to add a whole new dimension to these USB powered drives that many of you may not be aware.
Because of their great portability feature, you can install an operating system and programs called Portable Apps, www.portableapps.com. The programs are free and provide you with a wide array of on-the-go programs, much similar to those from Microsoft and others in your typical pc. By installing these programs, you can actually be able to use your portable drive in anyone's computer, use the programs to do your work, and leave-- and the beauty is that you don't need to have to install anything in other's computer. By the time you are done, there is no trace of you doing the work on that person's computer.
This is the future of how a person can go back and forth from the office without the need to carry his/her laptop. Such drive allows a far more flexible means to carry large amount of data with programs built-in to allow a person like me to move those works around easily.