Western Digital My Book Essential 500GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
Technical DataStorage Hard Drive / CapacityGB500Technical DataStorage Hard Drive / Buffer SizeMB16Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Widthcm5.4Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Depthcm13.7Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Heightcm16.6Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Weightkg1.15Technical DataStorage Hard Drive / Interface TypeHi-Speed USBTechnical DataStorage / TypeHard driveTechnical DataHeader / Product LineMy Book Essential Edition 2.0Technical DataHeader / ModelWDH1U5000Technical DataHeader / CompatibilityMacTechnical DataHeader / Country KitsEuropeTechnical DataHeader / ManufacturerWestern DigitalTechnical DataHeader / Packaged Quantity1Technical DataStorage Hard Drive / Hard Drive TypeExternal hard driveTechnical DataExternal Hard Drive / Power SourceIncluded AC adapter

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Customer reviews

review by: Papa date: 2008-06-25 rating:
Western Digital My Book Essential 500GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive
I thought this was well priced so I took the plunge.

I have a samsung 250 gig external and I find it way better than the western digital.
The usual story of it been way short of the size it advertises as (500gig really is 465gig so thats 35 gig short, I dont know how the lying tossers get away with it, thats false advertising)

Slow at referencing the drive, annoying software bundled with it on the drive, keeps clicking and making noises like its struggling.

I Would never, ever, invest in one of these again, my other external runs rings around this one.

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review by: date: 2008-06-24 rating:
Working WELL for me
I would highly reccomend this hard drive. It does not have the fastest transfer rate but the cheapest and effecient 500GB hard drive available. I currently use it as a secondary hard drive, to store larger files, but it also could be used as an effective backup hard drive. My one stays very cool, never has overheaten to worrying temperatures. Formatting took only a couple of seconds, (make sure to select quick Format), the long formatting expereinced by some is because windows checks the integrity of the drive before formatting if you do not select quick format.

overall very happy with external hard drive and highly recommend it

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review by: date: 2008-06-19 rating:
Very good for the price!
If you want to back up all your stuff there is no other option. Price, reliability and size are all features of this amazing hard disk.

There are some reviews that have said it does not work (after dropping it or spilling tea over it. What do you expect ??

But as long as you DON'T wipe the software that comes with the drive or start transporting it on long flights it will back up all your stuff no problems. I was impressed with the data transfer rates with the USB2.

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review by: date: 2008-06-12 rating:
Simple
This product is great so far! I haven't had it for very long so I can't know whether it's going to break in 3 months time as another reviewer has said. I read that but still bought it anyway and it's been really useful! I brought it because I had an 80GB ipod and my laptop only has an 80GB harddrive so I could never fill my ipod up, really glad I brought this though as it stores soooo much and it worth the money!

I wouldn't use the software that comes with it, just copy everything across, it doesn't take too long and it's really easy to do.

The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I haven't had it long enough to get a really good idea of the product. I feel confident that it'll work for ages though!


review by: date: 2008-06-06 rating:
DO NOT BUY THIS.
DO NOT BUY THIS. Mine stopped working after 3 months and I lost everything I had on the drive. I sent it back to Western Digital recorded delivery and they lost it. Almost 2 months later, i still have no hard drive and not getting any further with Western Digital. All I get from them is that i'll have to wait and see if it turns up. I would advise anyone to buy from a different manufacturer.

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