Western Digital hard drives get smarter

Justin Yu | Oct 07, 2009

WD debuts new e-labels
(Credit: Western Digital)

Western Digital just announced their newly redesigned line of external desktop and mobile storage drives, all flaunting a customizable "e-label" that gives users a clear description of their contents. The new My Book Studio, My Passport Elite, and My Book Elite also deliver continuous backup solutions right out of the box with WD's SmartWare software.

SmartWare software checks and automates backups (Photo credit: Western Digital)

1. First up to the plate is the new My Book Studios. Designed with the Mac user in mind, the new external drives feature a FireWire 800 interface that make quick work of larger videos and photos. Since the majority of My Book owners are creative, digital professionals, Western Digital developed e-paper technology similar that shows the owner a customizable display. The e-label also works when the drive is unplugged and also shows how much space is left and security status as well. The new My Book Studio drives come with a three-year warranty and are available now in 500GB (US$150), 1TB, 1.5TB, and 2TB (US$300) capacities.

2. The new My Book Elite drives appeal to the user who simply needs more external storage on their desk space. Like the My Book Studio, these drives also come with the custom e-label as well as two levels of data security: 256-bit hardware encryption and password protection, and WD's SmartWare software. The unique back up software puts your data right in front of you with a visual interface that shows you exactly what is stored on your computer and on the drive. As you create back ups or restore data, the gauges will change color in real-time to show progress, and once you finish the process the first time, you'll never have to perform a complete backup again--the software will backup automatically every time the contents change. The My Book Elite drives come in 1TB (US$170), 1.5TB, and 2TB (US$280) capacities.

My Passport Elite comes with USB dock
(Photo credit: Western Digital)

3. The last addition to the new WD offering is an upgrade to their My Passport Elite portables. Again, they come with all the same features, but you also get a convenient USB dock that can stay plugged into a USB port for quick docking. The drives are protected by WD's three-year warranty and will come in three colors: anodized red, anodized blue, and charcoal metallic. Retail prices for the My Passport Elites include the 320GB for US$119.99, US$159.99 for the 500GB, and US$169.99 for the 640GB. (Note: The prices and availability for all the hard drives are applicable only in the US. Please check with your local distributor for more details in your region.)

Via CNET Crave

Filed under: Notebooks, PC & Peripherals
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