I just got the email about the deal
RRP: $119
Ends Midnight 12/06/11
more info about shipping https://www.mln.com.au/info/?type=shipping
WD My Passport Essential SE 750 GB USB 3.0 for $88 + $9 Shipping
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12.5mm
I guess you mean the thickness of the drive?
Does it impact performance?
Yeah, not sure why it's so important whether it's 9.5mm or 12.5mm. I think PS3 only takes 9.5mm internal but can't use this drive for that anyway since USB controller is built in.
Does this drive have a copy of SmartWare on a virtual CD embedded in firmware? If so it might be useless for anything other than being used as an external drive.
Edit: Seems like it does:
WD SmartWare software - You're in control of your backup. Install all the features, select just the components you need, or if you prefer, choose not to use the software at all.
I think I'll pass.
The virtual cd partition can be disabled as WD did provide a tool to disable it if you dont like it.
So you still can't delete it then …..
What is it with hardware that foists crapware upon you .Yes, disabled but not deleted. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the tool only works on a per-machine basis as well, so if you use the drive on a different computer then the bloatware comes back. Major negatives in my opinion.
It would be good to know for sure whether or not it comes back when using a different computer. If it does well, yes, that is a major downfall. If it doesn't and the only inconvenience is slightly less capacity on the drive (what, maybe 0.5% less capacity at the most?), then I don't see what all the fuss is about.
This from page 39 of the user manual (I have highlighted relevant passages but the actuality is inconclusive):
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705054.pdf
~ ~ ~
In addition to deleting all of the data on your My Passport drive, erasing or reformatting
the drive also removes the WD SmartWare software and all of the support files, utilities,
online help and user manual files.If you ever need to remove and reinstall the WD SmartWare software on your computer,
or move the drive to another computer and install the software there, you will need to
restore the WD SmartWare software and disk image on your My Passport drive. To do
this, after you have erased or reformatted the drive, go to support.wdc.com and see
Knowledge Base Answer ID #5419.
~ ~ ~
useless for anything other than being used as an external drive.
That's how the product was designed to be used. If you're thinking of taking the drive out to use in a laptop or whatever well you can't as the USB controller is built into the drive itself.
If you're thinking of taking the drive out to use in a laptop or whatever well you can't as the USB controller is built into the drive itself.
Nope. I was more interested in using the drive with my TV for watching downloaded content. From what I've read though, the drive doesn't register as a regular external drive though due to the virtual CD partition, so it probably won't work with my TV.
I wonder if it would help to make sure that the partition with your content on is set to active and primary? Worth a try.
Keep in mind that SmartWare can only perform automatic backup of the entire drive, not a specific folder. To backup a specific folder, you need to manually do it.
that's why the first thing you do is disable it…
nice price
yep, good deal!
paid about this much for my 500gb USB2 last year. so this is pretty decent
nice price, but i'd rather pay $30 more and get the 1Tb one…
We're so close to that mythical WD/Seagate/Samsung sub $100 1tb 2.5 external usb3 drive.
Im still waiting.
I'll be happy with USB 2.
Guys dont forget with the shipping its $9 for every lot of 3 accessories, so if you buy 3 hard drives its still $9 shipping, the fourth will be $18, and the 6th for example will still be $18.
We also have the Toshiba USB 3.0 1TB hard drive with 3 year warranty, this hard drive is made in Japan.
Popular seller as well.
What can you do for 2.5" drives? Looking to upgrade my consoles, so bare drives are ok. And I'm using a sata extension cable, so drive thickness is also irrelevant.
->750gb $?
->1tb $?
->1.5tb $? (yeah, they exist. They are 14-16mm thick. Although samsung/seagate now have the tech for a 12.5mm version, I have no idea when they will be released).There is a stupid markup where bare drives cost more than the price of one in an enclosure. It's frustrating me. If the drives in enclosures didn't often have usb soldered to the drive instead of a sata connector I could have solved my own problem.
Is there any nuclear waste in the Toshiba USB 3.0 1TB drive that is made in Japan?
no nuclear waste, this drive was made before the meltdown.
These drives are now a premium and the cost has gone up now by over 30% for Japanese made drives.
This Tosh 1TB usb 3.0 drive is my personel favourite, quiet, smooth, fast and very very reliable.This Tosh 1TB usb 3.0 drive is my personel favourite, quiet, smooth, fast and very very reliable.
Out of all drives Toshiba ones have had the highest failure rate for me :(
Anthony,
I understand your individual experience, based on around 5000 of these sold, I can count a handfull that have gone faulty out of this drive.
can we pickup from West Melb for $88? (I tried calling them, but no answer)
It's written on the page: "Product available in store & ready to ship". Availability is green so should be ok at most stores
yes you can, its available in store as well. You do not have to order online.
any one know if this is a 9.5mm or 12.5mm?