[Leaplist] Western Digital Passport (2.5") 1TB External USB 2.0 now $149 ...

[Steve Litt]

On Tuesday 02 March 2010 13:53:34 Bryan J. Smith wrote:
> Both B&H (free shipping) and Amazon (plus shipping) have the
> Western Digital Passport (2.5") 1TB External USB 2.0 drive for $149.
> Yes, this is 2.5", fully powered by your USB port, works great.
> 
> I've had this drive going on almost six (6) months.  Virtually all of the
> negative reviews I've read about the drive are people who don't know
> how to use a computer and an external drive.  They don't know the first
> thing about the newer, _better_, standard Micro-B connector, and how
> Western Digital actually created a "read-only CD" image so no room
> on the disk is taken up by utilities (even shows up under Linux as a sr0
> device).

Hey Bryan,

Thanks for all the info on this drive, both here and on GoLUG IRC.

I just bought two of these things at CompUSA for $149. They're definitely the 
best GB/$ I could find in 2.5" USB drives, but they weren't quite what I 
wanted so I'm returning the one I didn't open yet.

The things I didn't like about it, which were annoyances but not showstoppers, 
were:

* No leather carrying case
* USB wire waaaaay too short and now T for other USB connections
* Micro B connector means I wouldn't have a longer cord hanging around
* No power switch (to connect and disconnect instead of unplugging/plugging)
* Only one light, not enough information
* 5400rpm instead of 7200

And of course the great things about it are:

* It works perfectly
* It's only $149 for 1TB

As you suggested, I'll soon be buying one of these:

http://www.startech.com/item-stock/HSB220SAT25B-35in-Trayless-Dual-25in-SATA-
Removable-Hard-Drive-Drawer.aspx

As you mentioned, this lets me use raw 7200rpm drives at full speed, without 
the need for enclosures or docks or USB cables. I can store the drives in a 
smaller volume when not in use (I'm using them for backup).

CompUSA sells Hitachi 500GB 7200rpm drives for $89.00. Certainly not as many 
GB/$ as the Passport, but considering all the other conveniences, this is much 
better for my backup needs.

Thanks again for the info.

StevET

Steve Litt
Recession Relief Package
http://www.recession-relief.US
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stevelitt


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