Western Digital My Book Essential 160 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U1600

by Western Digital

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 2.2 x 6.7 inches ; 2.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EVOONY
• Item model number: WDG1U1600N
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Is your computer loaded with photos, music, video, and all sorts of important files? If so, you should make extra room, back them up, and keep them safe on Western Digital's WDG1U1600 My Book Essential Edition 160 GB Hard Drive. This reliable, easy-to-use external hard drive is the perfect storage solution for all your precious digital assets.

Save and back up all your digital assets with the My Book Essential Edition Hard Drive. View larger.

Simple, easy-to-use design.

Connects to your computer via USB 2.0 interface. View larger.

The elegant case takes up very little space.

Installation is a breeze because you don't really "install" anything -- just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is not even an installation CD because all the included software loads automatically from the hard drive the first time you plug it in. The My Book Essential is all about simplicity. Just plug it into your computer's USB 2.0 port and you're ready to start saving and backing up your files.

But that's not all. Western Digital uses a smart design to make the My Book Essential look as good as it performs. The elegant case resembles a book and takes up very little space on your desk. Plus, it stacks horizontally and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together like encyclopedias on a shelf. Inside the stylish exterior is an exceptionally fast, ultra-quiet, cool-running hard drive. Last but not least, the My Book Essential is equipped with free Google software that searches your drives, manages your photos, and simplifies Web searches.

My Book Essential Edition Hard Drives are ideal for:

• Simple add-on storage for your files, music, photos and movies
• Adding virtually unlimited storage with multiple USB 2.0 external hard drives
• Archiving the music stored on your MP3 player
• Adding plenty of space for digital video capture and editing
• Saving and organizing your digital photo collection

Note: For higher performance and automatic backup software, consider the My Book Premium Edition 160 GB Hard Drive.

What's in the Box
My Book Essential 160 GB USB 2.0 external hard drive, USB cable, AC adapter with power cord, and quick install guide.

Product Description

Small, simple, elegant, and very easy to use. Just plug it in, and you've got plenty of room to back up and save your valuable data, music, photos, and movies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I've used faster but this is a great drive thus far., August 3, 2006

By 

Shawn Kirk (Danbury, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Western Digital My Book Essential 160 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U1600 (Personal Computers)

Unlike a few of the other commenters who must have had the misfortune to get lemon drives, I haven't had a single problem with mine ... yet. It's super quiet, has great ventilation, and seemlessly migrates from machine to machine. However it's a little slower than other drives I've worked with. If it breaks... I will come back and update my comments appropriately.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied, November 16, 2006

By 

T. Eastvold "V1k" (Duluth, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Western Digital My Book Essential 160 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U1600 (Personal Computers)

I have had this drive for 6+ months. I use it very often, for transferring 20+ gbs of photos. I have found it to be reliable, fast and convient. It of course, isn't a pocket drive, but it travels well.

Other people on here has complained about speed, which makes me wonder if they are using USB 2.0... Of course it would be nice if it had fire wire, or if it were networkable for that matter. But then again, I can't argue with the value of this drive.

I do however wish that this drive included software. It has no back up software, which was kind of a disappointment. It would come in handy for regular automated backups of works in progress and the like. After pluggin' in it acts just like a regular drive.

Over all I am very satisfied with it though.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So Far So Good, June 7, 2006

By 

Tyler Malone (Savannah GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Western Digital My Book Essential 160 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U1600 (Personal Computers)

The unit is Quite. It sits on instaled rubberstrips when standing vertically. No vibrations. Not even warm to touch.

Too bad they did not provide basic backup software. But I have found a Freeware product which is a perfect match. It is called Syncback. URL Postings are not allowed, So A9 or Google to find it.