World Tech Update – Mac Central

by Nick Barber , IDG News Service In this week’s show IBM and Sun merger talks break down, Acer launches 20 new products, Nintendo’s DSi launches worldwide, the Mousegrips helps you exercise while checking e-mail, Nanotouch solves the fat …

World Tech Update – Mac Central

by Nick Barber , IDG News Service In this week’s show Dell hints at a possible smartphone, Microsoft intros IE8, Google helps you unsend an e-mail, PC keyboards give away passwords, Toshiba delays its fuel cell launch, Google causes a commotion …

Contest Round-Up – 3/14/09

If you have any blogging giveaways that you would like included on this page, please fill out the submission form on the Contact page or send an e-mail to contests(at)momstakeonthings(dot)com . And d on’t forget to check out my Contests page during the week for even more great giveaways. Thanks!  Here is this week’s Contest Round-Up: MY GIVEAWAYS A Miracle Blanket in the color of your choice ( enter by 11:59 pm EST on March 15th) Three Honey Kix “S

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB Portable Drive WDME5000TN Midnight Black

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB Portable Drive WDME5000TN Midnight Black

These elegant portable drives are simple to use, light and easy to carry, and require no power adapter — they are powered directly through the USB cable. Pack up your office files and take them home. Carry thousands of songs or pictures. Synchronize files between home and office and encrypt everything on the drive for added security. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you take your critical data with you. Plug My Passport into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer. Your data is protected with 128-bit encryption (Windows only). Perfect for the business traveler who needs to transfer large amounts of data from laptop to clients or just daily backups in case of accidents from mishandled luggage to coffee spills. Also comes in handy if you’re worried about laptop theft and someone else having access to your important data, you can store it on this portable encrypted drive instead. For all those precious pictures, videos, music and data files, this external hard drive is a must have. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you save your critical data and take it with you. Plug your drive into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer (Windows only) Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software (Windows only) Up to 480Mb/sec Bus Transfer Rate with USB 2.0 System Requirements – Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later), Available USB port Approximate Unit Dimensions – 0.59 (H) x 4.96 (L) x 3.14 (W) Approximate Unit Weight – 0.23lb

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Nice.
This product is just as described, and quite nice. It’s a great price for it’s size; portable and no need for an A/C adapter, just a usb plug. The plug and play factor and weight is the largest plus of this, in my opinion. The only downsides I’ve come across by far is the finger-print-stained cover; it’s best to keep a plastic cover or something over it, to keep it clear and finger print free. And, I didn’t quite expect the WD program to be inside; it’s somewhat troublesome for me, but it’s not bad. I’m just more or so used to the drag-and-drop style of things and my own organization format. Overall, great price, great product, great buy.

5 Stars Very impressive Drive!
Quick summery, Works as advertised, easy to format to ntfs usable drive space on 500 is 465 the same as the previous My Book, it needs no external (additional power). The heat generated is not really noticeable at all.

potential negative: little white flashing light, there is no more disc noise than an IPOD. The only warning I would give is the lack of a case, it really needs protection and should (in my opinion) only be transported or even stored in a case. However this can’t be held against the drive as far as its performance.

A little more commentary on reliability, and Price value.

I have purchased half a dozen passport drives in the last 90 days all but one are 320. So as a measure of reliability all of these drives have so far worked very well. They have not become louder or slower they are like they were in the beginning. I use some as dedicated backups and some for consolidation and centralization. As far as durability I have taken one with me on a few trips the first one I acquired. It functions without any noticeable difference as well.

Commentary about Price difference to follow.

No drive is 100% reliable few are in the high 90’s for that long. This is of course my opinion, but when compared to the prior My Book 500 GB models of which a few each with power supplies etc. It is so great to not have to deal with big heavy drives with power supplies. When comparing that difference I believe this is certainly worth the price.

A final word on the drive. Not in recent memory have I seen the price for something like the passport drives be so different (in percent) due to color. If there is any difference in any of the WD passport models in color or stainless steel etc please let me know. If it is just aesthetics then as far as I am concerned who cares. Buy the color of your choice but if you are choosing based on price make sure to be aware that color or metal instead of plastic can make a huge difference. In the case of the 320 and 250 passport there seemed to be not just a very big price difference, often 15-35 percent, and this price would change based upon new models etc.

5 Stars Perfect – Simplicity, light, and HUGE Capacity
This USB drive is exactly what I was looking for, large capacity (500 GB), feels durable, compact and light, and simple to use on my Dell or Mac. Requires no electric power, and is so compact that it doesn’t feel like I have anything else in my brief bag.

I bought in combination with the rubber skin (Premium Silicone Sleeve Case for Western Digital WD Passport Essential Elements Portable 2.5″ Hard Drive – (Hard Drive NOT included!!)) – which added no “bulk” – only protection.

All of my work colleagues loved the combination….

Highest rating!

Buy/More Info

Western Digital Passport Essential Portable 250GB USB 2 0 External Hard Drive WDME2500TN

Western Digital Passport Essential Portable 250GB USB 2 0 External Hard Drive WDME2500TN

These elegant portable drives are simple to use, light and easy to carry, and require no power adapter — they are powered directly through the USB cable. Pack up your office files and take them home. Carry thousands of songs or pictures. Synchronize files between home and office and encrypt everything on the drive for added security. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you take your critical data with you. Plug My Passport into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer. Your data is protected with 128-bit encryption (Windows only). Perfect for the business traveler who needs to transfer large amounts of data from laptop to clients or just daily backups in case of accidents from mishandled luggage to coffee spills. Also comes in handy if your worried about laptop theft and someone else having access to your important data, you can store it on this portable encrypted drive instead. For all those precious pictures, videos, music and data files, getting this external hard drive is a must have. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you save your critical data and take it with you. Plug your drive into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer (Windows only) Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software (Windows only) Up to 480Mb/sec Bus Transfer Rate with USB 2.0 System Requirements – Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later), Available USB port Approximate Unit Dimensions – 0.59 (H) x 4.96 (L) x 3.14 (W) Approximate Unit Weight – 0.23lb

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars HD for Dummies
Needed an external drive for backup purposes.

Searched, read reviews, selected this one.

I ordered, it came in a timely fashion and in good condition.

Worked as advertised.

Plug and Play.

No techie skills required.

I did need to make some changes to be able to backup entire system, but instructions were available and easily followed.

5 Stars GREAT DEVICE FOR BACKUP
Western Digital My Passport Essential is a device that is really worth paying for.

You carry your desk PC everywhere and can be worry free about backups.

I find it simple to use and very helpfull on my daily routine.

3 Stars Not so sure I bought this item
I bought one of these babies a month and a half ago and am not all that pleased. I have several machines that I routinely move information from/to and back up. I needed a reliable and portable solution. I’ve had several problems with some of my machines ingesting this drive and so am concerned about long-term reliability. If you’re considering a disk like this, review all alternatives first!

4 Stars WD HDD is awesom1
It’s such an awesome product tho i wished i’d had enough money to have bought the 320gb one.

5 Stars Very nice portable hard drive
Western Digital My Passport Essential 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive WDME3200TN (Midnight Black)

This product exceedes my expectations. It is quiet, petite, and pretty amazing! It handles a tremendous volume of work quickly. Highly recommended!

Buy/More Info

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