Western Digital WDG1U3200 My Book Essential Edition 320 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
The USB 2.0 interface gives up to 480 Mbps transfer rates. 8.9 ms average seek time Automatic power-up, Safe Shutdown and LED activity lights make this drive easy to use Stackable case looks like a book and sits horizontally or vertically Compatible with PC and Mac Average Latency - 4.2 ms System Requirements - Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, Mac OS 9.2.2, X 10.2.8 or later, available USB port
Is your computer loaded with photos, music, video, and all sorts of important files? If so, you should make extra room, back them up, and keep them safe on Western Digital's WDG1U3200 My Book Essential Edition 320 GB Hard Drive. This reliable, easy-to-use external hard drive is the perfect storage solution for all your precious digital assets. 
Save and back up all your digital assets with the My Book Essential Edition Hard Drive. View larger. |
Simple, easy-to-use design. | 
Connects to your computer via USB 2.0 interface. View larger. | 
The elegant case takes up very little space. |
Installation is a breeze because you don't really "install" anything -- just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is not even an installation CD because all the included software loads automatically from the hard drive the first time you plug it in. The My Book Essential is all about simplicity. Just plug it into your computer's USB 2.0 port and you're ready to start saving and backing up your files. But that's not all. Western Digital uses a smart design to make the My Book Essential look as good as it performs. The elegant case resembles a book and takes up very little space on your desk. Plus, it stacks horizontally and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together like encyclopedias on a shelf. Inside the stylish exterior is an exceptionally fast, ultra-quiet, cool-running hard drive. Last but not least, the My Book Essential is equipped with free Google software that searches your drives, manages your photos, and simplifies Web searches. My Book Essential Edition Hard Drives are ideal for:
- Simple add-on storage for your files, music, photos and movies
- Adding virtually unlimited storage with multiple USB 2.0 external hard drives
- Archiving the music stored on your MP3 player
- Adding plenty of space for digital video capture and editing
- Saving and organizing your digital photo collection
Note: For higher performance and automatic backup software, consider the My Book Premium Edition 320 GB Hard Drive.
What's in the Box
My Book Essential 320 GB USB 2.0 external hard drive, USB cable, AC adapter with power cord, and quick install guide.
Western Digital WDG1U3200 My Book Essential Edition 320 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Accessories
 Western Digital WDG1U5000 My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card (SD/2GB, Retail Package)
Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Kingston Data Traveler 2 GB USB Drive (DTI/2GB)
Kingston 2 GB Micro SD Card (SDC/2GB, Retail Package)
Western Digital WDXMS1200TN Passport 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-Inch Portable Hard Drive
Apple iPod classic 80 GB Black (6th Generation)
Western Digital WDG1U2500 My Book Essential Edition 250 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
Sony Quick Battery Charger with 4 AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries
Kingston DTI 4 GB USB Flash Drive
Western Digital WDG1U3200 My Book Essential Edition 320 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Reviews
Luckily I backed it up to the hard drive (we had been using it as a shared drive). Worked fine for about a year, then just started acting funny, made lots of noises (technical speak for us not techies). Now back to the drawing board. Maybe a different manufacturer this time.
So my conclusion is, when buying an external HDD, just go for one with good make. Your hard drive is a very durable component so the box it comes in matters more. The drive works slower than a cheaper, unbranded make I invested in earlier but was told by a friend that atleast WD is more reliable.
WD is known for its hard-drives and I think they should stick to just that. I don't know if they bundle in that adapter with a poor make on purpose or what. However, just yesterday the drive suddenly was powered off never to be powered again. But now it seems that I have to shell out $20 to replace it and WD is the only place where I can get it.
I tinkered around and noticed that the power supply which has a unbelievably cheap and super thin cord was the culprit. I bought this drive about 6 months ago from an online retailer.
I ordered this external hard dive because my computer was acting up and I didn't want to lose everything if I had to reformat. We haven't had to pull it off yet but it worked well. I backed it all up in just a few minutes then I backed up my daughter's computer on the same hard drive.
Utilizing the FireWire only slightly improves the time delay. So, moving it from place to place, shaking it (and even carrying it in a backpack) may not be the best way to ensure smooth operation. I have mostly good things to say about all of them: they are stable, silent enough to operate at home and can be formated to either Fat32 or NTFS to suit one's needs. Regarding the complains about crashes and data losses: there is of course the possibility of this to happen to any data storage medium. It does not contain a solid-state flash drive, but instead a regular HardDisk Drive. Had I not had a flawless experience with my previous MY BOOKs, these concerns would had prevented me from expanding my.library.
I have three of these: a 320GB Essential (the first one I bought about 2 years ago), a 500GB Premium and (lately) a 750GB Professional. Their different colored lights help me keep my files separate and organized - and always backed up. My only complain is that when more than half-full, it takes some minutes for my PC to verify all the files contained and be able to use them. RECOMMENDED. (I avoided the 1TB version due to the universally bad reviews it received). However, keep in mind that this is NOT a PORTABLE External HDD.
On this note, can anyone trust any delivery service or company NOT to shake or drop it during shipment. I formated to NTFS before using it (but make sure to back up the contained files and utilities first).
I thought it was going to take a lot of space in my desk and the price is good too. This is a great product. perfect buy. What i like about this product is that its not big at all. Im very happy with it. Its refurbished, but It looks like new and it works like new.
|
