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Western Digital 500GB My Book™ Essential Edition™ 2.0 External Hard Drive

Price:$129.99Each
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  • Item qualifies for free delivery
  • Expected Delivery 2 Business Days
  • Item qualifies for free delivery to a store near you. (Learn more)
  • Item: 711573
  • Model: WDH1U5000N
  • Vista Compatible

Easy to set up, easy to use - this drive is all about simplicity.

  • 500GB
  • USB 2.0
  • Takes up less space on your desk, stacks horizontally, and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together
  • Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software
  • SmartPower™ automatic power on/off and LED activity lights
  • 7200 RPM
  • PC and Mac compatible
  • 6.5"H x 5.4"W x 2.1"D, 2.6 lbs
  • 1-year mfr. limited warranty
Drive Capacity 500GB
Internal or External External
Connectivity USB 2.0
Manufacturer Western Digital
Manufacturer Model WDH1U5000
Rotation Speed 7200 RPM
Compatibility PC/MAC
Cache Buffer Size 16MB
Burst Transfer Rate 480 Mb/s
Average Seek Time 8.9 ms
Warranty 1-year mfr. limited warranty
Networked No
Encryption Type None
Capacity 500GB
Special Features Takes up less space on your desk, stacks horizontally, and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together
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Product Reviews Summary (Powered by PowerReviews.com) Print All Reviews
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4.2 stars
(based on 264 reviews)
90% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:
Easy to use (226), Easy to setup (224), Large capacity (213), Fast (167), Reliable (162)
Cons:
Slow (21), Unreliable (13), Difficult to use (11), Difficult to setup (9)
Best Uses:
Additional storage (205), Back-up (201), Music (118), Video (114), File transfer (102)
Describe Yourself:
Power user (131), Casual user (120), Tech savvy (4)
Primary use:
Personal (207), Business (53)
Reviewed by 264 Customers Sort by:
Displaying Reviews 1-6 of 264 Back to Top Previous | Next »
 
No software
By rg1 Verified Reviewer from New Rochelle, NY on 12/8/2008
Pros:
There are none
Cons:
No bundled software
Best Uses:
Backup, File Transfer, Additional Storage
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

This product no longer comes bundled with free software even though the WD website indicates otherwise. In order to use this product one must either purchase the bundled trial software or some other third party software. I would not recommend purchasing these units.

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Good only while it Worked
By Ishee Verified Reviewer from Pennsylvania on 12/5/2008
Pros:
Compact, Attractive Design, High Capacity
Cons:
Unreliable
Best Uses:
Backup
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

My Book worked only 18 months and then it was inoperable. Also, when I lost the back up program that came with the drive, Western Digital could not supply a copy of the backup program. I would NOT recommond this Western Digital product.

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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
new one ok, older 1 failed in 15 months
By dndsmom Verified Purchaser from harrisburg, pa on 10/27/2008
Pros:
Easy to use, Fast, High Capacity, Easy To Setup, Portable
Cons:
One failed in 1 yr
Best Uses:
Video, Backup, Additional Storage, Music
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

i have had no problem with mine, but my daughter's was only 15 months old when it crashed. it was her only copy of many songs and pictures - so if you use it for main storage of things you do not keep another place you need to back this up too.

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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
Western Digital 500GB My Book
By Danielle Verified Purchaser from Buchanan, NY on 10/21/2008
Pros:
Fast, Reliable, Easy to use, Easy To Setup, Portable, High Capacity
Best Uses:
Additional Storage
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Business
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

Used as additional space. Love it. And it was very easy to set-up!!

Was this review helpful to you? Yes/No- You may also flag this review.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
Excellent!!
By MR2 Verified Purchaser from San Diego, CA on 10/18/2008
Pros:
Reliable, Easy to use, Fast, Easy To Setup, High Capacity, Portable
Best Uses:
Additional Storage, Backup
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

Very usefull for backing up files so that they can be easily recovered incase of a total crash.

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[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
Great buy
By Maineac Verified Purchaser from Monson, ME on 10/1/2008
Pros:
Easy To Setup, Portable, Easy to use, High Capacity
Best Uses:
Backup, File Transfer, Additional Storage
Describe Yourself:
Casual user
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Western Digital 500GB My Book\u0099 Essential Edition\u0099 2.0 External Hard Drive:

glad I bought this one

Was this review helpful to you? Yes/No- You may also flag this review.

Displaying Reviews 1-6 of 264 Back to Top Previous | Next »
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