Western Digital My Book Home Edition 500 GB USB Hard Drive

Many of you may have heard mixed reviews of Western Digital products, via various threads on the web. After about two months of using this product, I've had very few problems with the drive itself. First, it's huge. And I mean huge. For me, 500 gigs was far more than I needed, which is why I bought it. I backed up my entire macbook hard drive, and it didn't even put a dent in the memory of this thing. Next, I have a PC at work, and the HD can connect with one and go right to the next with no problems at all. Finally, the firewire connection is awesome. I know for those of you who know what you're doing this is pretty obvious, but I can't get enough of it, since the HD is basically my macbook hard drive. One final, and minor, tidbit is the Truecrypt program that comes installed on the HD. You do need Windows to set it up, but it is pretty cool. If you're interested, check out what people have to say about this on the web.

However, this unit does have a few drawbacks. First, Memeo. Memeo is a program that automatically begins running on your computer when you hook the HD up, but it's a temporary program. After 30 days, you either have to buy it, or delete it. I recommend deleting it. It slows down your computer, runs at inopportune times (for example, always), and takes up memory on your computer that you probably don't have to spare, which is why you're buying the HD in the first place. Next, and hand in hand with Memeo, is the automatic backup plan. I don't know what this program is, or why you need it, because if you buy an external drive, chances are you already know what you want to back up, and have done so before the plan is even installed and takes effect. Next, this program is nearly impossible to delete. It took me three hours to get rid of all of the files from my macbook, and the last two files were by sheer dumb luck (hold the "apple" key while dranking the "weed" files to the trash-thanks apple support). Now it's not necessary to do this, I know, but the files do take up space, and in one instance I couldn't get the icon off of the desktop. Finally, there's HD's downloads. If you own a Scandisk Cruzer micro, it's the same thing as the U3 system; as far as I'm concerned, worthless. I'm not trying to start a battle with those of you who are fans, it's just that for me, personally, I don't need it, and I find it annoying, occasionally.

Sorry for the length of this review, but I have nothing better to do. Anyway, for you macbook users, you may want to delete the aforementioned programs very quickly, because I've even heard of Memeo and the other demon programs "crashing" peoples' powerbooks. I personally didn't experience this, but hey, better safe than sorry. I hope this was helpful, and this unit is portable (small and not very heavy), comes with all the necessary cords, and the blue indicator light is not too bright to be annnoying, it has a power button, blah blah blah. I'm rating it as good because I wasted a lot of time deleting unneccesary programs, some of which are still on my work PC.

I have a large digital photo collection that I was very concerned about losing should my computer crash. At the suggestion of my IT director at work I purchased the WD My Book. It sits comfortably on my desk, taking up very little room. VERY easy to transfer files to it and using the free Windows synch tool, I can easily keep it updated. USB connection made it easy to install. At 500 GB I have plenty of room to store photos and files. I couldn't be happier with my product.

I Just received the product and so far it has worked well. I plugged it in and instantly my computer recognized and as we speak it is backing up all the files on my Macbook Pro through the firewire cable that was provided. I love the design and the triple interface and I also love the helpful LED on the front that can tell me various things that the drive is doing. As of now I love my My Book and hopefully nothing will happen to change that opinion.

Easy to use and transport if needed. Great storage solution for off system storage. Simply plug in connect to use and you are all set! Great software options also available with drive!

I have bought a My Passport in the past and was more than satisfied. With some free automatic backup software you can go wrong with an external hard drive that is bigger than your laptop's internal one! I mainly purchased the My Book to backup my data and upgrade to Windows 7 but I was going to purchase it regardless. It's just a great feeling knowing your data is backed up in another place.

I would highly recommend Western Digital hardware, sleek design and a ton of space.

For awhile, I had been wanting to add some additional storage for my desktop. In the digital world that we live, I have begun to accumulate quite a portfolio of pictures, music and videos. With the My Book external harddrive I now have a place to store all of these items without taking up valuable space on my desktop. At the same time I now have portability of all these files to share with my family and friends. The harddrive has plug and play easability and and can link to any desktop/laptop thru a usb 2.0 slot. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for some added storage space. I only wish I would have went ahead with the 1TB drive instead of the 500GB

From online-purchase to in-my-hands, everything was smooth. Product arrived in a safe, reliable fashion & in a timely manner.

It works perfectly fine! Now,I have all my files backed-up and secure. Thanks. I really needed this!

my Western Digital My Book Home Edition 500 GB USB Hard Drive was deliverd on time works great!!!...........................

It works for me and is quick. One issue I had was the software. My viraus scanner kept on picking it up as a virus, and I did not want to use it in the first place. It asks me to install everytime I plug it in. That is my only complaint.

I like the hard drive size along with the good price. The hard drive was just as simple as described. Simply plug and play. I know western digital is a quality brand as I've had several in the past.

I needed to back up my current computer and used this external Hard Drive to do it, and it works like a charm. A fast HD and easy plug n play made this one of my favorite devices this year!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, GOOD SERVICE, FAST SHIPPING AND SHIPS WITH TRACKING-NUMBER.
ALSO HAD A VERY HIGH FEEDBACK-RATE. SERIOUS PEOPLE TO BUY FROM.
Also they answer your questions very quickly, very good company to deal with.
I wish that all EBAY seller were at this level.

Good job-good stuff!!That is more than I have been expected.It is working exellent.I like it very much and will continue to buy from this seller

This external hard drive is exactly what the buyer said it was. The price I paid was better than I expected. Western Digital has alway been a good brand on the items I have ever purchased. I received the item in a timely manner. I rate the dealer as one that I will do business again. I have no complaints what so ever.

I bought it because of the price and quality of the product. The thing I didn't like about it that it came with a program called Memeo that had a trial program for auto sync. Since I didn't want to pay an additional amount after the trial, a message told me that the device would not back up until I bought the trial version. I had to call Western Digital to make some changes. Now it is working fine after I deleted the memeo program and I didn't have to buy the trial program.

J.C.George 38209 S Skyline Drive, Tucson,AZ 85739 520-825-7200

This product works very good so far. I have had no problems with it. I bought this to backup my music and pictures. the only thing I don't like about it is it doesn't have a on/off switch.

I can't believe what a great deal this was! Great product & service. Loving my new hard drives. I will recommend this store to my friends looking for computer parts.

The extra storage space on the new My Book hard drive is excellent. It has really allowed me to speed up my computer by moving all my large file pictures onto it. I moved about 4000 pictures onto it and it still has plenty of storage left, much more!

The My Book is kind of cumbersome because of the size and weight but frankly the biggest problem with it is the short usb cord that connects the book to my computer, it is only 3 ft. long which means it has to be very close at all times when connected.

Once this hard drive shows up on my desktop it works as advertised. Fast! The only problem is it takes soooo long for it to show up. It takes so long now that once I connect it I simply leave it lone and come back in a few minutes. No problem as long as I'm not in a hurry. I want 7200rpm's fast!

unit was in great condition. powered it up and have not had a single problem. hope to do business again.

Automatically backs up everything I have. No issues thus far and would recommend it to anyone looking into this size external HD.

I am enjoying the item. Was excellent and arrive fast. I am using it and teke the benefit of this purchase

Great Product. Don't like the AC adapter would be better if powered by USB but overall. Good Product.