Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 100
 An Excellent Basic Portable External Hard Drive August 22, 2009
Lawrence H. Bulk (New Jersey USA)
75 out of 82 found this review helpful
I bought this Western Digital WD Elements 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAR3200ABK-NESN (Black) last week at, I regret to say, Target - not Amazon. Target had it "on sale" at $59.95, an irresistible price. This unit works perfectly with Linux (both Ubuntu Linux - which is my main computer's operating system - and the modified-Xandros Linux found on the ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, 20 GB Eee Storage, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Pearl White which I own) and, naturally, Windows. (It is "pre-formatted" for Windows - it has some programs incorporated which I of course immediately deleted as I do not use Windows.) This unit will also work perfectly with the Apple Mac operating system (Windows and Mac compatibility are specified on the box.) As another reviewer has mentioned, it may be necessary to format the drive for use with a Mac.
Used with a Linux computer, no formatting or any other special operations are necessary. Just plug it in and you're instantly "on!" (Of course, this same comment about no formatting necessary also applies to Windows computers, though, the first time you use it, a Windows machine may take a few seconds to recognize the new drive.)
Packaged with the unit is a standard USB connection cord (supports v. 1.1 and 2.0 and, in addition to connecting to your computer for data transfer, it also powers the unit; no other external power supply is necessary) as well as the usual warranty, etc., information. In addition a CD containing the operating manual is included. I have not looked at this - really however, what is there to know about how to use this external drive? Just plug it into your computer! - that is, of course, if you use these drives as I use them: as storage units only. (I now own quite a few of these drives.)
I find that, especially with Ubuntu Linux, that it is very easy to copy everything in one's "Home" folder to one of these external drives and, should it become necessary to reinstall the operating system, it is quite easy to restore all of your documents, music, pictures, etc. from the external drive. It is also possible to store one's music, videos, audio books, etc. on one of these drives thus freeing up space from your computer's hard drive. (That's why I have several of these things!)
Naturally, the same uses I mention above are also available to Windows or Mac users. These portable external hard drives are very useful and this one, being a simple, basic, unit, is all one truly needs, in my opinion, if your reasons for buying one are the same as mine. I do suggest that, if you do not have an urgent need for one of these drives, or if you are buying an "extra" or "spare" unit, you wait until you see a really good "sale" price either on Amazon or elsewhere.
Like all Western Digital external hard drives that I own it is very well-made and, with reasonable care, should last a very long time. (My oldest Western Digital external drive - 40 GB, "huge" at the time I bought it - is over five years old, still in use, and still going strong.) In my own personal experience the company is reputable, responsive and VERY customer-oriented.
I highly recommend this unit.
Simple works December 1, 2009
shopaholic (Atlanta, GA)
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
This thing is the exact same width and length as the passport, but slightly thicker. It really is like a brick, and is not the slickest looking thing out there. But I LOVE the matte casing. My 500gb passport got so scratched up from the tiniest handling that I dread smooth shiny surfaces now. I don't know why this only has 1 yr warranty as oppose to the passport's 3 yrs. But hopefully it's of the same quality I've always been expecting from WD. The price was good, and amazon surprisingly delivered it super fast even with super savers s/h. Ordered on black friday and got it today on a Monday. Quite happy so far.
Great Product, Great Price January 29, 2010
Blah
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have also purchased Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB on Amazon. And I am extremely satisfied with both.
There are only few differences between My Passport Essential & this WD Elements:
1) My Passport Essential has 3-year warranty and WD Elements has only 1-year warranty
2) My Passport Essential is 0.6 ounces lighter than WD Elements
3) Different external appearance
4) Different software included
A great harddrive February 6, 2010
Todd A. Hooper
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I bought this around Christmas and it's been a great purchase. I simply unpacked it plugged it in and was backing up my files in no time. It's the easiest thing ever. I have had zero problems with it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a lot of space to back up their files with.
Small Size , Good Price ! December 3, 2009
Trendybestbuy (Bay Area , USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I bought it(500GB) on Black Firday for $49.99 ( $59.99 - $10 Discover card discount ). The item arrive today . It's perfect for me back up my data and picture ,it's easy carry out , just a passport size ,pain black color.It's a really good size and good price basic Portable External Hard Drive. Love it so mush
Showing reviews 1-5 of 100
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