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7.9 out of 10

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB USB 3.0 (WDBACY5000ABK/WDBACY5000ASL/WDBACY5000ARD/WDBACY5000ABL/WDBACY5000AWT)

 

Information found in: from 34 sources in 14 countries

Great Deal: $99.99

  • User Score (496)
    6.7 6.7 from 496 reviewers
  • Expert Score (1)
    9.0 9.0 from 1 reviewer
  • Value for money (50)
    8.8 8.8 from 50 reviewers
  • Features (8)
    8.5 8.5 from 8 reviewers
  • Ease of use (43)
    8.9 8.9 from 43 reviewers
  • Performance (46)
    8.5 8.5 from 46 reviewers
  • Overall quality (8)
    9.9 9.9 from 8 reviewers
  • Ease of setup (43)
    8.8 8.8 from 43 reviewers
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  • Best Deals

  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(1)
7-8
(0)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(175)
7-8
(110)
5-6
(45)
3-4
(36)
1-2
(130)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. TechRadar UK

    TechRadar UK
    9.0/10
    3 May 2010

    While we were using the drive we didn't notice any dramatic decrease in system performance. The hardware is tempting as well. The hard disk itself takes up virtually no space on a desk and the fact that it uses only one cable is excellent news. This makes it a practical device for those who find themselves working on the move. Read more

    • Good backup software, Decent amount of space, Bus powered
    • Cannot explore backups

  • User Reviews

  1. It doesn't like working with other devices

    Bestbuy
    2.0/10
    Reviewer: ASDodge, Bestbuy
    22 September 2011

    I bought this as a storage drive for files I did not want to keep on my computer or to use as a back up... tax info, personal stuff, some club videos from our school groups, etc. All seemed great for a few months, until I bought another drive and a Smart Phone. When I tired to move files from the WD drive to the Phone and other drive, this drive went nuts and erased itself, all he stuff on my phone, and a couple on my computer. Then it burned out. Read more

    • As long as you didn't use it with any other mass storage, it was great
    • I lost months of work and files I have nowhere else

  2. Extra Store Capacity & Security

    J&R
    10/10
    Reviewer: Xyberion1K3, J&R
    17 April 2011

    I purchased this hard drive to give me extra storage, secure storage. This hard drive is small, slightly larger than a men's wallet. You can use it to back up files, photos, etc., automatically via included software. You can install just the security software without the automatic backup. You do not have to install any software, if you choose not to. I installed only the security software. Read more

    • Attractive Design, Easy To Setup, Easy to use, High Capacity, Password protected, Portable, Quiet
    • None

  3. Spiffy little drive

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Randy Rathbun "total nerd", Amazon
    19 September 2010

    This review is from: Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAA5000ABK-NESN (Midnight Black) (Electronics) Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program ( What's this? ) This is one of the most useful little devices I have in my arsenal. Sometimes I have to move very large video files between computers. When I mean large, I mean SUPER large - 100+ GB in some cases. This little guy helps that happen. Read more

  4. Stay away

    Newegg
    2.0/10
    Reviewer: Distinct, Newegg
    22 March 2011

    It boggles my mind that a product like this even exists on the market! Sorry WD, but you've lost my business, which will include a good 20-30(if you make it that long) years of working in IT and buying consumer based HDD! Read more

    • Honestly, I can't think of a single pro, aside from it works and my boss was happy to buy it for me for work.
    • - WD software/rootkit cannot be deleted from the drive.

  5. Awesome Secure Drive

    Tiger Direct
    10/10
    Reviewer: Tiger Direct
    2 weeks ago

    I love the external Western Digital hard drives, but especially this one. This is my second one in this series, which has password protection. This is the first one ready for the new USB 3.0, which will make it the fastest backup hard drive yet! Great item at a fantastic price!! Read more

  6. Simple product, good performance

    Dell
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: StPaul, Dell
    4 weeks ago

    I have always wanted to have an external hard drive for my academic work. So far it has perfomed perfectly and is very simple to use.. plug in and go. Read more

  7. This device is small, quick, and very simple to use with huge memory!

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: mishmac201, Ebay
    18 November 2011

    This is my second Passport, and I purchased this one for my daughter because I was so pleased with the working experience I've already had with the first one. A great product! Read more

  8. Easy way to Backup

    B&H Photo
    10/10
    Reviewer: Mikevet, B&H Photo
    2 April 2009

    I use the Passport Essential Portable Hard Drive to back up my photos. It's quick and easy to use. Completely plug and play, no set up required and my computer recognized it immediately. Files actually download faster to the Passport that they do to my Lenovo T60 laptop. Read more

    • Attractive Design, Easy To Setup, Easy to use, High Capacity, Portable, Quiet
    • So far I've found no con

  • WikiFreak Description

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Small in size, big on storage. Boasting 500GB of storage capacity, the Western Digital My Passport™ Essential™ USB drive is perfect for backing up and carrying your files, music, video and photos.

Specifications

  • Support
    Find related product support and help in Sony eSupport
  • Weight
    Approximately .396 lbs (.18 kg)
  • Hard Drive Capacity
    500GB
  • Interface
    USB 2.0 and 1.1
  • System Compatibility
    Formatted NTFS
  • System Compatibility
    Note: Compatibility may vary depending on user's hardware configuration and operating system.
  • System Compatibility
    Mac OS® X, Tiger®, Leopard®, Snow Leopard™ (requires reformatting)

Release Date

  • First seen
    22 January 2009

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Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB USB 3.0 (WDBACY5000ABK/WDBACY5000ASL/WDBACY5000ARD/WDBACY5000ABL/WDBACY5000AWT) Deals

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