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    Opinion of WD external HD

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by SweeJ, Jan 10, 2007.

  1. SweeJ

    SweeJ Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm thinking of getting a portable 2.5" external WD Passport USB2.0 160GB HD. I already own a 320GB 3.5" ext one, but that one would be just for my PC. I want one more portable ie w/o the power cables to travel with, and lighter.

    Anyone purchased the WD Passport one? Any good? How's the power comsumption/noise/heat?
     
    SweeJ, Jan 10, 2007
    #1
  2. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    I have the older, 120GB version. It's pretty light and doesn't need an external power source, which is nice. It also doesn't make lots of heat, even when transferring large amounts of data back and forth.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 10, 2007
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  3. minulescu

    minulescu Notebook Enthusiast

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    I also have the 120GB versin of it, and so far so good, granted I haven't used it too much.

    No heat, little noise. One thing that is a little annoying to me is that it doesn't have a power button, and it doesn't even shut down when I put my laptop in standby. ( I think I have my laptop set so it doesn't enable power-save on the USB hubs). Sometimes, I'd just like to turn it off when I know I won't be using it. I feel bad having it run all day for no reason.. maybe I'm just silly. So the only way I've figured out to shut it down is to unplug it, and that gets annoying.

    I was able to find a USB A to mini B adapter, that's about 2 inches in length, so I got rid of the usb cable that came with the HD. Now its super portable.
     
    minulescu, Jan 10, 2007
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  4. mc003

    mc003 Notebook Guru

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    I think the new one (160g) at costco has a power button. Don't quote me though.

    Also I know at my costco there is a $15 rebate for them right now.

    BTW I like my 120 gig. Maybe should up to 160...
     
    mc003, Jan 10, 2007
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  5. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    wearetheborg, Jan 10, 2007
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  6. SweeJ

    SweeJ Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks very much for the warning..... was about to make the purchase. i need to read more about the current batch.
     
    SweeJ, Jan 11, 2007
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  7. stamar

    stamar Notebook Prophet

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    you can get a 160 gb hitachi at newegg for 125$ and a case for um 15$ or so
     
    stamar, Jan 11, 2007
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  8. SweeJ

    SweeJ Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do you mean 2.5" case? If not, then it wouldn't be portable so. I already have a 3.5" 320GB ext one, but I want to get one w/o the power cables. Hence, looking for a good 2.5" ext HD.
     
    SweeJ, Jan 11, 2007
    #8
  9. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    I can't testify to the new 160GB ones but I've used the older style 80-120GB ones, and I find that they are extremely handy to have around. Although there are a few times witht the 120GB one that I have been in a situation where my USB didn't have enough power to push it, but I heard they fixed all of those problems with the newer 160GB ones.
     
    Syndrome, Jan 11, 2007
    #9