by 110 reviews.
WD 2TB My Passport Portable Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Storage Companion with a Few Caveats
The WD 2TB My Passport Portable Hard Drive is a versatile and compact storage solution designed for modern digital lifestyles. With its universal compatibility, high-capacity storage, and advanced security features, it’s no wonder this portable hard drive is a favorite among users. Whether you're a gamer, creative professional, or simply someone who needs extra storage, the WD My Passport promises to deliver. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: A Detailed Look
1. Quality and Performance
The WD My Passport Portable Hard Drive is widely praised for its reliability and performance. Many users appreciate its plug-and-play functionality, which makes it incredibly easy to use. One customer noted, "Plug and Play—connected the USB cable, and my computer immediately recognized it." This seamless integration is a major plus for those who want a hassle-free experience.
Additionally, the drive’s 2TB capacity is a standout feature. Users have successfully partitioned the drive into multiple virtual drives for different purposes, such as backups and file storage. "I partitioned it into 2 virtual drives—one for an Image/Backup and a second for file backup & storage," shared a satisfied customer.
However, some users have reported issues with the WD Backup Software and its replacement, Acronis. One reviewer expressed frustration, stating, "The free 'WD Backup' software is no longer supported by WD, and the Acronis software doesn’t work properly." This is a significant drawback for users who rely on backup software for data security.
2. Durability and Design
The durability of the WD My Passport is another highlight. Its compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable, and the use of over 50% post-consumer recycled plastic adds an eco-friendly touch. One user mentioned, "It’s very elegant, portable, and with 2TB of storage, which was more than enough for my needs."
However, some customers have raised concerns about shipping and handling. One reviewer shared, "The drive was shipped in a plastic bag with another item, causing the tabs on the WD to loosen up." While the drive itself survived, this is a reminder to handle delicate electronics with care.
3. Usability and Compatibility
The universal compatibility of the WD My Passport is a major selling point. It works seamlessly with USB-C and USB-A devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, and gaming consoles. "Works great with my laptop. Now that most laptops don’t come with CD/DVD players, this is a nice addition," said one user.
However, some users have encountered formatting issues. One IT professional shared, "I was unable to format my drive to repurpose it for newer storage needs. It was giving me sector errors." Fortunately, they were able to resolve the issue using third-party software, but this highlights a potential limitation for advanced users.
4. Backup Software Concerns
The backup software included with the WD My Passport has been a point of contention. While the drive itself performs well, the Acronis software has left many users dissatisfied. One reviewer warned, "DO NOT USE the ACRONIS software. It creates a false sense of security." They explained that while the software claimed to create a successful backup, it couldn’t locate the image file when needed.
Additionally, the 30-day trial version of Acronis has been criticized for its limitations. "The backup file versions are proprietary, so you can’t use another brand of software to do the restore," noted a frustrated user. This has led some customers to seek alternative backup solutions.
Conclusion: Is the WD My Passport Worth It?
The WD 2TB My Passport Portable Hard Drive is a solid choice for anyone in need of reliable, high-capacity storage. Its universal compatibility, durable design, and ease of use make it a standout product in the crowded external hard drive market. However, the backup software issues and occasional formatting challenges are notable drawbacks.
If you’re looking for a portable hard drive that delivers on storage and performance, the WD My Passport is a great option. Just be prepared to invest in third-party backup software for added peace of mind.
Final Verdict
4/5 stars. A dependable storage solution with a few software-related hiccups.
Specification WD 2TB My Passport Portable Hard Drive, Works with USB-C and USB-A, Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, Gaming Consoles, and Mobile Devices, Backup Software and Password Protection - WDBRMD0020BGY-WESN:
Comments from Amazon:
Works great with my laptop. Now that most laptops do not come with CD/DVD platers this is a nice addition to my laptop. It allows me to use my art files and keep data files on one unit without using all the space on my laptop.
I purchased this on 08/05/2021. As an IT Professional, I owned several HDDs and SSDs, both internal and external. This was a very nice option, very elegant, portable and with 2TB of storage which was more than enough for my needs. I even purchased a UGREEN 2.5 Inch External Hard Drive Case Cover Shockproof (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072HJ4FTX/). I was about to give this product a 2-3 star review since while I was writing this (11/28/2023), I was unable to format my drive to repurpose it for some newer storage needs. I had access to the drive, I could add or delete files, but I was unable to format. It was giving me sector errors and the drive was never dropped, hit or damaged in any way. Actually it was stored in the hardcase for more than a year. Fortunately I used a tool called Mini Tool Partition (not promoting it) and after some time, it was able to format it and apparently correct the sector errors. So at this point, instead of the complaint I was writing, I decided to finish my review by saying that up until now it seems a very robust HDD in terms of functionality. Let's see if it was actually fixed or if I would need to update my review later on.
Purchased this item to extend the storage of a Amazon Fire TV Recast DVR. Works Perfectly for the application. USB powered, so no external power supply required.
Great drive, plug it in and go, very fast, but most new drives should be. You get about 3.6 TB of space after formatting. One major concern was shipping the drive. In the WD factory box. It was just throw into a plastic bag with another much bigger item and shipped. The bouncing around in the bag caused the tabs on the WD to loosen up. The drive appears to have survived w/o any problem, but I will not purchase delicate items like this drive from Amazon. NOT A GOOD WAY TO SHIP A PRODUCT LIKE THIS !
Ótimo produto, veio bem embalado e chegou super rápido.
Buen producto, esta muy delgado y no hace nada de ruido
You can't go wrong with Western Digital. Very small package for huge storage. Plug and Play - connected the USB cable, (included) and my computer immediately recognized it. The portable drive is larger than the drive on my laptop, so I partitioned it into 2 virtual drives. One partition for an Image/Backup and a second partition for file backup & storage. The partitioning process was flawless and now my computer recognizes two separate drives. I am super happy with the WD SSD portable drive. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting a portable drive. I'm even thinking about buying another larger drive and partitioning into more virtual drives for backup of other computers. My only complaint and major disappointment with WD, is that the free "WD Backup" software is no longer supported by WD and hasn't been for a few years. They offer a free version of Acronis, which doesn't work. Installed the Acronis software, created a bootable disk on a USB Flash (thumb) drive, then rebooted the computer from the thumb drive and created a full backup/ disk image to the new WD drive. The software seemed to run perfectly, and said the backup was successfully created. I felt really good that I had a full backup of my 2015 laptop, in case I ever need to replace the mechanical HDD. But it was a false peace of mind. Only 2 weeks after using the Acronis backup software, my computer was crashing shortly after bootup, which it had never done before. So I thought I would test the new drive and backup. After rebooting with the Acronis USB Boot drive, it asked for the location of the image file. The computer recognized the WD drive with all of the Acronis backup folders. But then the Acronis software said all of the folders were empty and there was No Image found. WTF?! Acronis said it successfully made a full disk copy. But then the software could not find its own image. DO NOT USE the ACRONIS software. I was fortunately able to fix the boot/crash problem using other software. But if my hard drive had completely failed, I would not have a usable backup copy to restore to a new drive. I would have been screwed. It would have been better if I never attempting to create a backup. At least I would known that I didn't have a backup copy to rely on, rather than falsely thinking I was protected. In addition, the "free" software isn't really free. It's only a 30 day free Trial version. So if you make a full backup within 30 days, and later have a critical problem, you will be forced to purchase the full version to perform the restore. The backup file versions are propitiatory, so you can't use another brand of software to do the restore. They've got you! You can make a free backup/copy (if you can even get the software to work properly). But then you have to pay for the software to actually use the Backup in order to Restore. This is akin Ransomware. I have since purchased other backup/imaging software and made a full (working) backup to my new WD drive. I'm very happy about that.