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[Backorder] WD 18TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $434.35 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon UK via AU

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[Backorder] WD 18TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $434.35 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon UK via AUAffiliate
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Gengar on 24/03/2021 - 07:11 amazon.com.au (3271 clicks)
Last edited 01/04/2021 - 00:00 by 2 other users
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Thought this would be worthy of another post as the price has significantly reduced since the last post

Colour:Black | Capacity:18 TB | Style Name:Desktop

WD Elements desktop storage with USB 3.0 offers reliable, high-capacity, add-on storage, fast data transfer rates and universal connectivity with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices. The sleek design features up to 18TB capacity plus WD quality and reliability.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
Computing 18TB Computer Component Computer Peripheral External Hard Drive Hard Drive Western Digital

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closed Comments

  • Shef3000 on 24/03/2021 - 07:30
    +10

    If you were on NBN 50 it would take 858 hours to fill this with Linux distros. If you were on FTTP 1G speed it would take 42hrs but then you provider would probably ban you for excessive use. Good price though.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2021 - 07:39
      +6

      I'm on 250/25 and have downloaded over 10TB this month. No issues from my RSP.

        • dust on 24/03/2021 - 08:33
          +1

          34TB in a month! That's a lot of Linux distros!

          • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2021 - 09:23

            @dust: Only a few hundred 4K remuxes. I'm surprised it isn't more like 100TB to be honest.

          • Agret on 24/03/2021 - 10:03

            @dust: I think highest we have had on ours is 8TB about 2 months after we first got 100mbps.

        • justtoreply on 24/03/2021 - 09:05

          Wow. So in 6 months internet will be shit.

          (Our family only use 100gb a month, but when I get a working pc I wanna download my 4tb steam library without being throttled..)

          • azza10 on 25/03/2021 - 09:24

            @justtoreply: Good providers don't do this.

            Aussiebroadband is one, heard good things about superloop as well.

        • Homr on 24/03/2021 - 09:23
          +2

          34TB? is that it?

        • BillyCool on 24/03/2021 - 12:15
          +1

          Been close to that, just need to make sure you don't go ham during peak times. Don't ask how I know :P

      • Dreammist on 24/03/2021 - 09:28
        +3

        Those are rookie numbers.

    • DingoBlue on 24/03/2021 - 08:03

      How many songs will it hold?

      • Shef3000 on 24/03/2021 - 08:14
        +8

        3.6 million apparently, so you can back up all your jimmy barnes with plenty of room for the tin lids as well

        • f23lda on 24/03/2021 - 11:08
          +2

          A tin lids reference, have my upvote you tremendous bastion of the cobwebbed almost forgotten past

        • witonline on 24/03/2021 - 11:24

          Def on ozbargains

    • serpserpserp on 24/03/2021 - 09:35

      That would be at full speed for NBN 50 but who gets that these days?

      • Trance N Dance on 24/03/2021 - 16:11

        Most people on good RSPs. Especially now that the NBN has over provisioned for the CVCs purchased by the RSPs.

    • liveish on 24/03/2021 - 09:43
      +1

      If you where on Superloop 1000/50 it would take 9725 hours to fill….. GRrrr

    • raybies on 24/03/2021 - 13:21

      I hate Malcolm and the NBN… hoping latency on my StarLink order isn't too bad.

    • boomramada on 24/03/2021 - 13:28
      +1

      If you are on NBN, you don't need to backup the internet. Download, watch ,delete and then repeat.

      • greennick on 24/03/2021 - 16:04
        +1

        Or, I keep it on my server, then I can watch whenever I want, wherever I want?

        • boomramada on 24/03/2021 - 22:53
          -1

          Sure can but if you need 18Tb buffer, then there is a problem.

    • theg00s3 on 26/03/2021 - 23:58

      I've done 12TB in a month and haven't been kicked off (Launtel ftw)

  • Modesty on 24/03/2021 - 07:53

    Can this be used for backup devices wirelessly?

    • camshandez on 24/03/2021 - 07:57
      +6

      If you plug it into a wireless device then yes

      Edit: to elaborate, you'd need to plug it into a router, NAS or PC so it's on your network. Then use backup software on the device and point to it. Over the internet will be trickier but long short yes you can

  • gomango on 24/03/2021 - 08:06

    I wonder what drive is inside? I would think an 18tb drive would be a helium drive, but would it be smr or cmr?

    • Mechz on 24/03/2021 - 08:13

      Also interested to know

    • wellzi on 24/03/2021 - 08:22

      I believe it's just a re-labeled RED. SMR is only on some RED drives at 6TB and below.

      • rifter on 24/03/2021 - 08:50

        Read somewhere WD to use/using SMR for 20GB and some 18GB. 16GB and down to 8GB CMR.

        • wellzi on 24/03/2021 - 08:51
          +8

          TB, my dude…. TB.

          And that's not going to be good for WD! lol … any links?

          • rifter on 24/03/2021 - 08:55
            +1

            @wellzi: Google search "WD 20GB SMR"

            • wellzi on 24/03/2021 - 08:56
              +21

              @rifter: I swear you're typing "GB" to piss me off now! ;) lol

              I'll have a look.

        • Whisper Quiet on 24/03/2021 - 10:15
          +1

          Yeah for the 20TB it's SMR. 18TB is CMR for the Data Centre

        • justtoreply on 24/03/2021 - 11:25

          Shame. That means I can't buy the 20tb version if SMR.

          And why is it so freaking hard to buy a CMR hard drive in a small size? That should be a piece of cake to manufacture. Sure as hell makes me want to skip anything up to and including 8tb (or WD 6tb). I'd rather buy a more expensive SSD from another manufacturer than support that sht.

          • So lo on 24/03/2021 - 11:48
            +5

            @justtoreply: Damn, was so looking forward to upgrading to 20MB drives for my home NOS.

            • sachz on 29/03/2021 - 14:23

              @So lo: u can still find some 20KB floppy disks if u try really hard…

          • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 14:51
            +1

            @justtoreply: It's not hard to buy small CMR drives at all - the WD Red Pro and Seagate Ironwolf and Seagate Ironwolf Pro drives are all CMR, and they're all available in smaller capacities…

            • justtoreply on 24/03/2021 - 19:17

              @Nom: Yah but your paying a lot more for a pro to get a drive that simply has one more platter (for drives up to 10tb) to reduce the areal density. What a scam.

        • idjces on 26/03/2021 - 12:02

          Damn, so correct me if i'm wrong, to summarize for the WD externals

          20TB = SMR
          18TB = should be CMR, but potentially SMR?
          8-16TB = almost definitely CMR (i say that because there has been minor odd cases of SMR like performance, but you can rma those drives easily)
          <=6TB = SMR

          • [Deactivated] on 29/03/2021 - 01:24
            +2

            @idjces: If a 20TB shows up it will probably be SMR too as their only current 20TB drive is SMR. But the 18TB should be CMR as that's what they have in 18TB at the moment.

  • KRiSX on 24/03/2021 - 08:12

    thanks OP, grabbed one for an archive/backup drive

  • GoonSack69 on 24/03/2021 - 08:14
    +1

    Drive number that's inside mine is WD180EDFZ

    • wellzi on 24/03/2021 - 08:25
      +3

      So that would likely be a re-branded WD Ultrastar DC HC550. :)

      Is the regulation number US7SAR180??

    • justtoreply on 24/03/2021 - 11:14
      +1

      So, EAMR & PMR & CMR = good, SMR = bad. This drive then = good?

      • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 15:25

        SMR is only bad for certain use cases.

        If you're just going to fill it with data and then read the data back, SMR is absolutely fine. Think of a drive filled with a movie collection for example.

        It's NOT fine at being overwritten - so if you're going to fill it with data, and then change and overwrite that data regularly, avoid SMR.

  • TightTerry on 24/03/2021 - 08:30

    $24 per TB for a 18TB is fantastic value

    • Transparent on 24/03/2021 - 10:58

      ..or $0.024 per GB :)

    • Gradenko on 25/03/2021 - 16:32

      Incredible value. Picked up 3.

      • sachz on 29/03/2021 - 14:25

        pity u cannot pick up more than 3.

  • jamba on 24/03/2021 - 08:41

    The price is tempting.

  • Karansingh on 24/03/2021 - 08:44

    Sorry a Noob question. Would it be possible to hook it upto a router and access the files remotely?
    TA

    • congo on 24/03/2021 - 09:01

      Depends on your router

      • jace88 on 24/03/2021 - 09:21
        +1

        Most modern routers do support USB drive/networked storage/DLNA/etc… but in most cases for consumer routers, it'll literally just be a shared drive with no advanced features or controls like user access, prioritisation, transcoding of video, etc…

        None of this will be an issue if it's just a couple of users, not doing naything too heavy, but if you're planning on building out a massive file share drive with loads of media files/etc… this might not necessarily work well.

        If you already have the router, check if it has a USB port, and just stick a drive in with some files on it and see how it goes.

        • DingoBlue on 24/03/2021 - 19:38

          Just note they specified “remotely”

          • jace88 on 24/03/2021 - 20:20

            @DingoBlue: Good point. I took remotely as in, remotely over the local network. Didn't consider remotely as in from another network.

            … in which case, I doubt it'll work on most routers and you'd need a NAS/DDNS service.

    • ThoseDeafMutes on 24/03/2021 - 09:10
      +2

      The most practical way to do this is by setting up a NAS with one of these hard drives. You'll be able to find online guides on how to set it up for remote access. That will cost you a chunk of change, though.

    • da1nonly on 24/03/2021 - 10:14

      VM + FreeNAS

      • Zorlin on 24/03/2021 - 11:22

        The average consumer will not know how to setup FreeNAS/TrueNAS, not that it's particularly hard.

        • jace88 on 24/03/2021 - 12:08

          I feel given the Op's question, I'd say it's reasonably probable that they are not technically inclined and hence this suggestion whilst valid, probably would fall in the too hard/too difficult bucket. That being said, if they had a lot of time on their hands to read/learn/understand/experiment, then this could be a great solution for them.

    • Richardc on 24/03/2021 - 11:48

      If you're using a Netgear router, you might be able to use Netgear's ready cloud service.

  • go2home on 24/03/2021 - 09:24
    +4

    I must hold. Too many HDD / SDD / NAS in my drawer……

  • autolux on 24/03/2021 - 09:51

    god dammit i only just bought a 16TB seagate expansion backup for the same price.

  • firedolphin on 24/03/2021 - 09:55
    +3

    I must resist… I must… I….. I failed

  • bbourizk on 24/03/2021 - 10:01
    +1

    Thanks…Nearly bought the last deal.

  • clubhonda on 24/03/2021 - 10:13

    F### me. I just ordered one last night based on the last deal.

    • JaeTee on 24/03/2021 - 10:19
      +6

      Just cancel that order and reorder it, they usually take a few days before shipping from Amazon UK

      • clubhonda on 24/03/2021 - 20:41

        Thanks! I managed to do that and grabbed 2 of these today instead. They'll make good presents for my IT friends.

        • Modesty on 24/03/2021 - 20:42
          +3

          Can I be your friend?

  • dotMonkey on 24/03/2021 - 10:14
    +1

    Thank for that, thankfully didn't get the last deal.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 24/03/2021 - 10:38

    thanks

  • NotAnAudiophile on 24/03/2021 - 10:40
    +1

    SHUCKKKKK it.

  • Naed on 24/03/2021 - 10:42
    +3

    Stole my thunder by 4 mins OP :)

    A great price - I grabbed 2 (one for parity, one for data). I'm using unraid. With 3% off Amazon Gift Cards via Suncorp Benefits it brought it down to $23.41/TB. An awesome price.

    • wellzi on 24/03/2021 - 10:48

      Oh my, I didn't realise Suncorp benefits did Amazon GC! :D … I am a happy, happy man!

      • outlander on 24/03/2021 - 11:01

        If you're with a few select providers,( you can get them for as much as 5%

      • jace88 on 24/03/2021 - 12:09

        There's a $500/mth limit I think… hence why you need the missus to have an account too.

  • KangaDrew on 24/03/2021 - 10:49
    +3

    FWIW, I just bought one of these helium-filled, 14TB Element drives (WD140EDFZ-11A0VA0) in the last price drop a few weeks back and the health of the drive was sitting at 88.8% out of the box. After running an integrity check it dropped to 80.3%. I usually buy My Book drives vs Elements and I'm not familiar with these Element drives so I've no clue why the new one performed so poorly out of the box.

    Comparing it against my other 8TB My Book drive that shat itself (WDC WD80EZAZ-11TDBA0) and has a pop-up warning every time I connect saying it's got errors and to transfer my data somewhere else since I can't copy anything to it, it has a health rating of 97.4% after 286 hours use and 89 power cycles. Go figure!

    I ended up returning the Elements drive and picked up one of the 14TB Seagate drives instead when they dropped the other day to $331.09. I'm hoping the Seagate health is sitting much higher out of the box.

    • nfr on 24/03/2021 - 10:55

      Comparing it against my other 8TB My Book drive that shat itself (WDC WD80EZAZ-11TDBA0) and has a pop-up warning every time I connect saying it's got errors

      It's possible that only the USB chipset is damaged. If it's out of warranty you might as well crack it open and see if you can use it as an internal drive.

      • KangaDrew on 24/03/2021 - 11:22

        Running a MacBook Pro so I'd probably need to look at a new enclosure I guess.

    • gadgetguy on 24/03/2021 - 10:57
      +2

      What are you using to measure health?

      • KangaDrew on 24/03/2021 - 11:21
        +2

        I'm on a Mac so I have DriveDX. I was recommended it by someone the other day on OZB when I asked for a Mac alternative to HD Tune (the Windows version).

        • gadgetguy on 24/03/2021 - 14:43

          Thanks, I'm also on a Mac.

    • outlander on 24/03/2021 - 11:02
      +1

      I heard that they make these drives from the enterprise drives that fail the demanding test, so from the start they are not the freshest fruit in the market stall

      • KangaDrew on 24/03/2021 - 11:23

        If that's true (which I have no reason to believe it isn't) that definitely explains a lot!

      • Whisper Quiet on 24/03/2021 - 12:19

        Yeah but nobody wants to believe it. Companies don't sell products for around half the price unless there's issues with it. They haven't passed certain QC tests or are refurbished drives. That's the business. Only on rare occasions that the same internal drives were put in to external enclosures and that was because of stock shortage due to floods, etc. That was years ago, and now so many people assume that they will get top of the line drives inside.

      • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 15:28

        This is probably correct - nobody knows for certain.

        But even these failed drives will have their problem sectors remapped, capacity reduced, spin-speed reduced, etc. before they're packaged into a USB chassis - they should be in perfect health when you receive them brand new.

    • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 15:27
      +2

      Any drive you can buy should absolutely show 100% SMART health out of the box. Your 88.8% drive was faulty - return or warranty it.

      This is why people run multiple days of testing on new drives - you want to be certain the drive is in perfect health before you start filling it with stuff. If it's not in perfect health, replace it.

      • KangaDrew on 24/03/2021 - 15:32

        Yeah I've already got the return in progress and picked up the Seagate with a $14 savings. After waiting about 3 weeks for delivery, I was super PO'd when I saw the rating. Absolute BS.

        • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 15:35
          +1

          I'm not familiar with the DriveDX tool you're using, but check out exactly how it's calculating it's percentages.
          If it's just looking at the SMART data, then anything less than 100% means there is some issue.

          If it's looking at the SMART data but also incorporating additional tests and markers of it's own then it's harder to know what the 88% rating really means…

    • greennick on 24/03/2021 - 16:26

      I have 12 shucked WD drives that have been running in my server for 4 years to 4 months, combination of air and helium, and not one of them has had an issue, all are marked in the high 90s. Does that program say what was causing the health check to fail? I assume it had 0 power on hours when you got it (so it wasn't a dodgy return)?

      The MyBook and Elements/EasyStore HDDs seem to be pulled from the same bins, however the MyBook comes preloaded with encryption and other stuff as it is designed for backup, whereas the Elements/EasyStore is just a data dump. So, the difference is not really relevant if you are schucking.

    • congo on 24/03/2021 - 17:32

      How do you run an integrity check?
      What program do you use?

      • Nom on 24/03/2021 - 22:02

        If you're a Windows user :
        Use HDSentinel, do a Drive Quick Test then a Drive Extended Test, then a Full Surface Test with the "WRITE" option (destroys all data but tests writing to every sector). This whole process will take a few days.
        After all that, the drive should still show 100% health - it's OK to start filling it with data.

        • congo on 30/03/2021 - 09:32
          +1

          Thanks, will check out HDSentinel

  • outlander on 24/03/2021 - 11:04

    I thought with fat Harvey's GST tax on overseas purchases that the $1000 limit would no longer be a thing, but it seems if you try and buy 3 drives you still get charged extra.

    Anyone know what thats about?

    • ironpaw on 24/03/2021 - 11:42
      -2

      Huh? You get charged GST regardless of how much you spend when purchasing from Amazon.

      In the checkout it shows how much GST you are paying.

      The $1000 limit was abolished years ago…

      • [Deactivated] on 29/03/2021 - 01:23

        Amazon charge an extra processing fee for handling the customs paperwork, in ADDITION to the 10% GST, for orders over $1000. I've been hit by this a couple of times :\

    • drmac on 24/03/2021 - 12:23
      +1

      Yeah, it looks that way, when you add 3 and go to check out (not just cart view), there is a 'Import Fees Deposit' which looks like the 5% import duty above and beyond the included GST.
      From what I understand, there is still an additional 5% import duty on imports over $1000 - in addition to the the GST - so this will explain it.
      Of course the way around it is just to order separately and hope Amazon UK sends them separately so customs doesn't have an issue.

      • HomeAlone on 24/03/2021 - 12:41

        there is a 'Import Fees Deposit' which looks like the 5% import duty above and beyond the included GST.

        Key word being 'Deposit'

        Amazon will refund once your order clears customs as the duty rate for hard drives is 0%

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