Version: 2008
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Western Digital Passport USB Portable Hard Drive (160GB, black)

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Full user review

  • 22 out of 22 people found this review helpful

    2.0 stars

    "Does not work with most laptops"

    by emanonco on November 13, 2006

    Pros: Stylish, Large capacity, good brand

    Cons: most computers will not power the device, as stated in the box. Must buy extra power supply cord, making the "portability" pointless.

    Summary: After purchasing the HD, I plugged it in and to my supprise it was not working. After some research on WD's website I quickly found out that most laptops will not power up this hardrive, as it draws more power than USB drives are allowed to supply in specs. They stated you need to buy a power source from thier website. This compltetly took the portability away from this drive. Super bummer. Thank god I was able to return it. I ended up getting the LaCie 160GB with USB 2.0 and firewaire. Started up, no problem! My computer is a Powerbook G4 for your reference.

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  • 3 replies to this review
  • reply by: pinguino1 on July 24, 2008

    I just happened to buy 2 of them.
    I tried it in my HP presario Laptop to copy a lot stuff from my Lacie USB hardrive. Soon I got and error "can't find Drive F:" while looking for the problem it connects itself. but again soon I get the same error.
    I tried the second unit with the same result. Right now I'm on my way to the store to get a refund. (hopefully)

  • reply by: eroctech on June 26, 2007

    I was in a pinch and needed to back up some data thought I would give this drive a try beyond my better judgment.

    Worked fine on a PowerPC, then went to mount it to my PowerBook G4 laptop, no go.

    Errrr, now I see it doesn't work without power. That sucks. Well taking it back anyway.

    Booo.

  • reply by: FstrPstr on January 24, 2007

    Having a simililar problem as others have described. When I plug the HD into my iBookG4, the icon only occasionally appears on my desktop and then is very unstable (I get messages that the device has been removed improperly, tho I have not touched it, and the icon disappears). I have reformatted the drive twice (seemed to help a lot the first time). But now am back to the same troubles as before. The whole point of the HD was to serve as a reliable backup to my laptop, so feeling pretty displeased. Have not yet called customer service, so perhaps they will have a solution to offer. But for now I would say: Beautiful in appearance, speedy when it works, but very, very frustratingly unreliable.

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Western Digital Passport USB Portable Hard Drive (160GB, black): $159.99 - $167.17
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