Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive

by Western Digital

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NE3EZQ
• Item model number: WDG1SU5000N
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

With both the popular USB 2.0 and the ultra-fast eSATA 3 Gb/s interfaces on board, the My Book Premium ES Edition external hard drive offers universal connectivity and unbeatable performance in one high-value package. Works with both Windows and Macintosh computers. Includes EMC Retrospect Express backup software.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Functionality vs. quality, April 28, 2007

By 

Livshinas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive (Personal Computers)

Description: The WDG1SU5000 MyBook ES Edition drive is an external 500GB hard-drive with two interfaces - eSata and USB2. It has a led display at the front ("capacity gauge") which is supposed to indicate the remaining free space.

Functionality: the drive was instantly recognized when I plugged it into the USB2 port. When the computer is turned off the drive automatically goes into "sleep" mode.

Noise: I had to change the first drive I received. It was vibrating so strongly that when placed on a table it made a rather loud and irritating low-pitched humming noise. I placed the drive on a sponge to prevent the table from resonating. In order to keep the drive from falling (it is supposed to stand on its narrow side), I laid it down on its wide side, which the WD web-site claims is OK to do. After two days, while still functioning, the drive started making annoying buzzing noises. Placing the drive back on its narrow side stopped the noise for about two hours and then the noise came back again.
I replaced the drive. The second one I received and still possess does not vibrate so strongly and can be placed on the table without humming noticeably. However, when the drive head jumps back and forth (while reading, for example), the drive makes rather strong creaking noises. I placed it again on a sponge and it became quieter. I do not try again to lay it down on its wide side.

The LED capacity gauge: I have installed the gauge driver as required. it is very hard to notice anything on the capacity display. The "gauge" consists of two rings - the outer ring indicates that the drive is working and the inner is supposed to show how much free space remains. The problem is that the outer ring is not isolated from the inner one and its light actually illuminates the inner ring from the inside, making the free-space display too hard to read and practically unusable.

Support: I have posted a question on the Western-Digital WDC site concerning the capacity gauge and received a list of automatically generated links which have nothing to do with the question. I tried to get their attention on the web and through emails, filling forms as required and replying to automatic emails as indicated, but to no avail. Finally I gave up.

Pros: USB2 and eSata interfaces (I have not tried the eSata). Auto "sleep" mode. Price.
Cons: somewhat unstable and noisy. Difficult to get support. Capacity gauge is only a gimmick. Does not get its power from the USB port - needs to be plugged into the electricity.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Check customer reviews for the 500 GB Essential version - same story here, October 4, 2007

By 

ovr "ovr" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive (Personal Computers)

Same story like some other customers:
After less than 1 year of usage (used it to store TV movies) the drive started to make strange noises - no way to get XP recognizing the drive anymore (tried several computers).
Got a new drive from WD, however, this one is not working as well. I wrote to customer support three times and didn't get ANY response for about five weeks now.
What else should I say?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT FOR TIVO, January 27, 2008

By 

linda "tech addict" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive (Personal Computers)

Decent hard drive,a little slow with USB. Originally purchased for TIVO HD expansion, the model number looks the same but it is not supported by Tivo. Do not try to link with your DVR, but it does make a good Time Machine back-up for my Mac.