Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Product Details

  • Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 1.4 inches ; 2.2 pounds
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
  • ASIN: B002QEBMCI
  • Item model number: WDBAAU0020HBK-NESN

List Price : $179.99
Price : $125.00
Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Product Description


Capacity: 2 TB
From the Manufacturer
WD Elements™ Desktop External Drive - Simply affordable.
Western Digital's WD Elements Desktop USB 2.0 external hard drives are the right answer for simple, reliable add-on storage. Simply plug one in to a USB port and start saving your photos, music, video, and files.
Features at a glance
  • Simple add-on storage
  • Plug-and-play
  • USB 2.0 interface
  • WD quality inside and out
  • 1-year limited warranty

WD quality inside and out - Designed with the same commitment to quality that made WD external drives the number one selling drives in the world.
Plug-and-play simplicity - Just connect the power and plug it into a USB port to instantly add more storage to your computer.
Designed to save power - Turns on and off with your computer. Enters idle mode when not in use. Utilizes a WD drive with power-saving WD GreenPower Technology™ and an EnergyStar compliant power supply.
Packaging - Packaged in a minimized recyclable packaging made from recycled materials. Preformatted for PCs - Designed for use with Windows-based computers. Can be easily reformatted for use with Macs.
Preformatted for PCs - Designed for use with Windows-based computers. Can be easily reformatted for use with Macs.

Compatibility
Available USB port, Mac OS® X Tiger® or Leopard®, Windows® Vista®/XP Note: Compatibility may vary, depending on user's hardware configuration and operating system.
What's in the boxUSB 2.0 external hard drive, USB cable, AC adapter, Quick Install Guide.
Desktop StorageComparison Chart
WD Elements Desktop
My Book Essential
My Book for Mac
My Book Studio
Simply affordable.
Next generation storage and backup.
Smart backup and storage for Mac.
Pure performance for Mac.
USB 2.0
USB 3.0, USB 2.0
USB 2.0
FireWire 800,USB 2.0
500 GB - 2 TB
500 GB - 3 TB
1 TB and 2 TB
1 TB and 2 TB

2TB WD Elements USB 2.0 Ext desktop External Hard Drive

 

Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

 

Technical Details

  • Simply affordable
  • Easy to use USB 2.0
Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Customer Reviews


I purchased the 1tb Elements (WDBAAU0010HBK-NESN) for use with a Dish DVR 622.
Installation was was truly "plug and play". I simply took it out of the box, plugged it in, and it was immediately recognized by the DVR. I have since transferred about 200gb of content to/from it, and have watched content directly from the drive. So far, it is working perfectly. It automatically spins down after a few minutes of non-use, as well as when the DVR is powered off. It also spins back up automatically (less than 10 seconds) when the DVR accesses it.
One thing some people might not like: The case is designed to sit flat (as pictured), not on its side. There are four small non-skid pads on the bottom corners, but none on either side. There is no indication on the box, in the documentation, or on Western Digital's web site as to whether the drive will work properly on edge. As a general rule, WD drives are designed to operate sideways or even upside down (any X,Y,Z orientation), so this one probably will too -- but you'll need to provide your own non-skid pads.
Several similar Western Digital drives, such as the late model "My Book" series, now include a firmware-based CD-partition that is difficult to remove, and can cause compatibility issues with some devices. That partition contains backup software and utilities that are of questionable value in any case, and of absolutely no value when using the drive with a non-computer device (like the Dish DVR). The Elements -- at least at time of this review -- doesn't include any of that junk. (Note: WD does have a downloadable utility to remove the partition from the other drives, but if you don't want that junk then save yourself the time/trouble and just buy the Elements drive.)

I bought 3 of these drives for $99 each around Black Friday. The value cannot be beat and I always prefer Western Digital due to their Advance Replacement policy.
One of the drives had issues. I always check all new drives I buy with the Western Digital Life Diagnostics program which is available for free from Western Digital. All drives passed the test without issues. The test will take at least 12 hours to complete on such a large drive. One of the drives was dropping the transfer rate after copying 500 GB to it for no reason and I had to replace it. What is really disappointing is that the drive passed the test so I have no confidence in the diagnostic program anymore.
The moment you receive the drive check your warranty online at the Western Digital website. The warranty for this model is only 1 year which I consider absolutely insufficient for a drive. The bad thing about it is that Western Digital starts counting from the manufacturing date and by the time you get it, the warranty left is only 9-10 months which is ridiculous. They will update the warranty to 1 year after the purchase date but you will have to send them the receipt and be patient. It took them 2 weeks to respond to an online request. They also have an option to extend the warranty for another 2 years for $25 per drive. I might consider that....
I recommend this drive because the size, price and ease of use. It doesn't have any of the limitations of the fancier Western Digital drives. It is just a big, cheap external hard drive.
Update - September 16 2010
Today I bought another one and when cheking the warranty it was shorter by 6 months. I went through my regular procedure to write to WD Customer support when I realized they had a link that was addressing the issue. Now you can register the drive and it will update the warranty automatically. It even gives you 1 month more ! Also, the registration page gives information about warranty upgrades. You can upgrade this drive from 1 year to 3 years for $25. Not bad considering that if it dies after the first year (and all do after they are out of warranty) it is just a paperweight.
My advices to everybody that buy WD drives are:
1. Check your warranty ASAP.
2. Register the drive to get it updated.

 

Western Digital WD Elements 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

 

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