Western Digital My Passport for Mac 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Charcoal)

by Western Digital

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.2 x 0.6 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002KG0JOE
• Item model number: WDBAAB5000ACH-NESN
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 10, 2009

Product Description

Capacity: 500 GB | Color: Charcoal

Amazon.com Product Description

The world's most popular portable drive is now smaller than ever. And it's smarter than ever with automatic, continuous backup software and password protection. If you prefer to use Apple® TimeMachine™, no problem – it works with that, too.

Mac-ready. Formatted for Mac and compatible with Apple® Time Machine™, this drive is plug-and-play ready for Mac computer users.	See your life safe in one place. WD SmartWare software - A visual control center with a single screen view of all your data. From it you can back up, retrieve, and secure your files.	Password protection. An extra level of security with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

Features at a glance Automatic, continous backup Visual backup control center Password protection and hardware encryption WD SmartWare software Compatible with Apple TimeMachine 2-years limited warranty

WD's smallest portable drive ever - WD is an expert in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside this stylish package. Perfect for Mac® users on the go.

WD SmartWare™ - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to:

-- Protect your data automatically - Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.

-- See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup.

-- Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

-- Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.

Find out more about WD SmartWare™

Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*.
* An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.

Planet friendly - We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Ideal For

• Protecting your data with automatic, continous backup
• Retrieving lost data effortlessly
• Adding extra storage space for photos, videos and music
• Securing private or sensitive data

Compatibility

Formatted HFS+ Journaled
Mac OS® X Tiger®, Leopard®, Snow Leopard™

Note: Compatibility may vary depending on user's hardware configuration and operating system.

What's in the box

Ultra-portable hard drive, WD SmartWare software, USB cable, Quick Install Guide.

Backup software you'll really use � WD SmartWare Five great reasons to love it:
1. It's easy - Data backup can be a chore, but it's your family photos, your movies, your music - your life - and it's important to protect it. So we made this software extra easy because we really want you to use it.
2. You can see your life safe in one place - See your content displayed in easy to understand categories like movies and photos. Watch the progress of your backup as it happens with the instant-feedback color bars. Now you can truly be sure that all your stuff is backed up. A unique visual interface lets you see the drives connected to your computer. WD SmartWare will automatically scan your computer and find all of your personal files, including e-mail. Content category gauges show how much information you have to be backed up in each category. You can even mouse over a category to see a file count. Simply click Run Backup and WD SmartWare will automatically start backing up your files. As your backup is running the category gauges will change color showing you the backup as it happens. When finished, you’ll see a status screen and information about your backup. You only have to do this once. After the first backup your files will be backed up automatically every time you change or add a file.
	3. It's always on the job - WD SmartWare is always watching your computer, so when you change a file and save it, create new files, add new pictures, movies, or songs, WD SmartWare will instantly back them up.
4. You can bring back lost files effortlessly - If you ever accidentally delete an important file, or need to get an earlier version of a file, you can find and retrieve it in seconds with this easy-to-use interface. Restore files and folders by categories – photos, music, video, for example. Find a lost file with the search function. Go back in time to retrieve an older version of a file.
5. You're in control - WD SmartWare software is also a control center for your external drives. From it you can: Customize your backup Set drive security Run diagnostics Manage the power settings, and more...

Product Description

The world’s most popular portable drive is now smaller than ever. And it’s smarter than ever with automatic, continuous backup software and password protection. If you prefer to use Apple TimeMachine, no problem - it works with that, too. WD’s smallest portable drive ever - WD is an expert in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside this stylish package. Perfect for Mac users on the go. Designed for Mac - Formatted for Mac and compatible with Apple Time Machine, this drive is plug-and-play ready for Mac computer users. WD SmartWare - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to: Protect your data automatically - Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file. See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content categories and shows the progress of your backup. Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file. Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center. Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and military-grade 256-bit hardware-based encryption. USB 2.0 powered - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*. * An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port. Planet friendly - We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Mac-ready. Formatted for Mac and compatible with Apple® Time Machine™, this drive is plug-and-play ready for Mac computer users.	See your life safe in one place. WD SmartWare software - A visual control center with a single screen view of all your data. From it you can back up, retrieve, and secure your files.	Password protection. An extra level of security with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

Features at a glance Automatic, continous backup Visual backup control center Password protection and hardware encryption WD SmartWare software Compatible with Apple TimeMachine 2-years limited warranty

WD's smallest portable drive ever - WD is an expert in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside this stylish package. Perfect for Mac® users on the go.

WD SmartWare™ - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to:

-- Protect your data automatically - Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.

-- See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup.

-- Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

-- Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.

Find out more about WD SmartWare™

Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*.
* An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.

Planet friendly - We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Ideal For

• Protecting your data with automatic, continous backup
• Retrieving lost data effortlessly
• Adding extra storage space for photos, videos and music
• Securing private or sensitive data

Compatibility

Formatted HFS+ Journaled
Mac OS® X Tiger®, Leopard®, Snow Leopard™

Note: Compatibility may vary depending on user's hardware configuration and operating system.

What's in the box

Ultra-portable hard drive, WD SmartWare software, USB cable, Quick Install Guide.

Backup software you'll really use � WD SmartWare Five great reasons to love it:
1. It's easy - Data backup can be a chore, but it's your family photos, your movies, your music - your life - and it's important to protect it. So we made this software extra easy because we really want you to use it.
2. You can see your life safe in one place - See your content displayed in easy to understand categories like movies and photos. Watch the progress of your backup as it happens with the instant-feedback color bars. Now you can truly be sure that all your stuff is backed up. A unique visual interface lets you see the drives connected to your computer. WD SmartWare will automatically scan your computer and find all of your personal files, including e-mail. Content category gauges show how much information you have to be backed up in each category. You can even mouse over a category to see a file count. Simply click Run Backup and WD SmartWare will automatically start backing up your files. As your backup is running the category gauges will change color showing you the backup as it happens. When finished, you’ll see a status screen and information about your backup. You only have to do this once. After the first backup your files will be backed up automatically every time you change or add a file.
	3. It's always on the job - WD SmartWare is always watching your computer, so when you change a file and save it, create new files, add new pictures, movies, or songs, WD SmartWare will instantly back them up.
4. You can bring back lost files effortlessly - If you ever accidentally delete an important file, or need to get an earlier version of a file, you can find and retrieve it in seconds with this easy-to-use interface. Restore files and folders by categories – photos, music, video, for example. Find a lost file with the search function. Go back in time to retrieve an older version of a file.
5. You're in control - WD SmartWare software is also a control center for your external drives. From it you can: Customize your backup Set drive security Run diagnostics Manage the power settings, and more...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What happened to all the negative reviews of this drive?, November 23, 2009

By 

Dave - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Western Digital My Passport for Mac 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Charcoal) (Personal Computers)

The first drive I received (purchased from Amazon) was defective and did not synch up with my new MacBook Pro. After 45 minutes on the phone with a Western Digital (WD) technical support rep, he was unable to determine the cause (I suspected it might be a cable connection problem). I returned the drive to Amazon and received a replacement (same model-- WDBAAB3200ACH-NESN) that worked intermittently. The cable connection into the drive was not secure and the slightest movement disrupted the backup process.

I returned the second defective drive to Amazon for a refund and decided to revisit the description of the drive on Amazon's site where I discovered DOZENS OF REVIEWS OF THIS MODEL THAT WERE posted after my purchase. MOST WERE NEGATIVE, criticizing WD's "proprietary" cable design (and WD SmartWare software, in some instances) for problems purchasers were having with this model.

What's puzzling is that as I write this (Nov. 23, 2009) there are ONLY FOUR (4) REVIEWS of this model and virtually ALL THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS INCLUDING COMMENTS HAVE DISAPPEARED!

Unless WD changes the design of this model to fix the connection problem, I can't recommend it.

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Works - Just Like a Mac!, October 2, 2009

By 

FTC (Shelton, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Western Digital My Passport for Mac 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Charcoal) (Personal Computers)

It could not have been easier to install this drive... plug in the USB cable! No power cord... just the USB cable, which is great. You are quickly prompted to make a decision... as to whether or not you wish to use the Mac Time Machine application or the drive's "WD SmartWare". I don't know of a reason why a person buying a Mac drive, would not also use Time Machine... it works incredible well and seamlessly while using your Mac. That's it... that's the install process. I chose to use Time Machine and my Mac immediately began to create the first backup session. So cool... to never have to be concerned about archiving files or deleting a file in error... just window back through the change file visual interface to find the file and bring it forward to today. I would have given this item FIVE stars, except for some reason, even though I made the decision to use the Time Machine application and not the included WD SmartWare... the SmartWare VCD (virtual CD) continues to remain on the desktop. Apparently it's part of the firmware of the drive and cannot be unmounted or removed. There should be an option not to have this remain on the desktop... if you've decided not to use the software. You learn to live with seeing the two icons... the one for the "My Passport" drive itself (which you would expect to see remain on the desktop)... the VCD icon (essentially a folder with various WD applications inside. Perhaps WD will rethink this function... as it is NOT necessary! Otherwise... you should buy this drive... perfectly married to a Mac!

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wow. Always hard to figure out who to believe on these reviews..., October 30, 2009

By 

Kyle Thomas Elliott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Western Digital My Passport for Mac 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Charcoal) (Personal Computers)

This drive is a huge headache. Luckily it is the backup to my backup to my backup (yeah I have issues), but still annoying. The smartware software popping up as a disk image is not that bad. The cable is not proprietary folks, but the connection is bad. If you breath on it wrong it will eject the disk. My first backup of 400GBs hangs every 10-20GB and I have to manually restart the backup to trick it into continuing. Day 4 and still not done even with setting my iMac to not sleep. 70GB to go, thus why I have time to write this review while I wait for the progress to freeze again. I have an older 100 GB that has always worked flawlessly.

Wait a few weeks or months for them to fix the bugs with this. Definitely not worth it now, but I really didn't see a good 2nd choice after researching for weeks. If only I could carry my drobo around with me.

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