by 8 reviews.
Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD Review: Fast, Durable, and Portable Storage
The Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive is a powerhouse of speed, security, and portability. Designed for professionals, gamers, and creatives, this sleek grey SSD combines cutting-edge NVMe technology with a rugged, compact design. With read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and a 5-year warranty, it’s a top-tier choice for anyone needing reliable, high-performance storage.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros: What Customers Love
1. Blazing Fast Speeds
One of the standout features of the My Passport SSD is its incredible speed. Customers rave about how quickly it transfers large files. One reviewer noted, “The read and write speeds were insanely fast and responsive, way faster than my mechanical USB hard disk.” Whether you’re editing 4K videos, transferring large game files, or backing up your photo library, this SSD delivers performance that leaves traditional hard drives in the dust.
2. Compact and Portable Design
The My Passport SSD is shockingly small—about the size of a credit card and just a few inches tall. Its compact size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or bag, and its durable metal casing ensures it can withstand daily wear and tear. One customer described it as “slightly bigger than a credit card” and praised its portability, saying, “It will fit easily into a shirt or jacket pocket.”
3. Durable and Reliable
Built to endure the rigors of daily use, this SSD is shock, vibration, and drop-resistant up to 6.5 feet. Customers appreciate its sturdy construction, with one reviewer stating, “The casing feels rigid and sturdy with no flexing at all.” This durability makes it a reliable choice for those who are always on the go.
4. Plug-and-Play Convenience
Setting up the My Passport SSD is a breeze. It’s compatible with both Windows 10+ and macOS 11+, and customers love how easy it is to use right out of the box. One user shared, “Installation was a breeze. It was literally plug and play.”
5. Advanced Security Features
For those concerned about data security, the My Passport SSD offers 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection. While some users removed the included encryption software for non-sensitive use, others appreciated the added layer of security for their important files.
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Short USB Cable
One common complaint among customers is the length of the included USB-C cable. At just 3.5 inches, it’s too short for many setups. A reviewer mentioned, “The cable is only about 3.5 inches long and does not allow for the SSD to sit on the table when connected to an iMac.” Many users recommend purchasing a longer cable for added convenience.
2. Pricey Compared to Traditional HDDs
While the My Passport SSD offers exceptional performance, it comes at a higher price point compared to traditional hard drives. Some customers feel the cost is justified given the speed and durability, but others may find it a bit steep for their budget.
3. Heat During Use
A few users noted that the SSD gets slightly warm during extended use. However, this is common for high-performance drives, and one reviewer clarified, “It did not burn my desk or any other material. I could carry it around as I would any normal external drive after use.”
4. Risk of Data Corruption if Not Ejected Properly
One customer shared a cautionary tale: “Pulling out from laptops/computers without properly ejecting… I got mine all corrupted.” While this is a risk with any external drive, it’s worth noting that proper ejection is essential to avoid data loss.
Final Thoughts: Is the My Passport SSD Worth It?
The Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD is a stellar choice for anyone in need of fast, reliable, and portable storage. Its compact design, blazing speeds, and robust security features make it a standout in the crowded SSD market. While the short cable and higher price may be minor drawbacks, the overall performance and durability more than make up for these issues.
Final Verdict:
If you’re a professional, gamer, or creative who values speed and portability, the My Passport SSD is an excellent investment. Its 5-year warranty and advanced features provide peace of mind, ensuring your data stays safe and accessible for years to come.
Rating: 9/10
Specification Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible (USB-A for older systems) – WDBAGF0040BGY-WESN:
Comments from Amazon:
If you're looking for a portable and reliable storage solution, the WD 1TB My Passport SSD is an excellent option. This external solid state drive offers high-speed data transfer, a compact design, and exceptional durability. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision: Pros: Speed - The WD My Passport SSD provides lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 1050MB/s, making it ideal for professionals who need to transfer large files quickly. Durability - This SSD is designed to withstand shock, vibration, and drops of up to 6.5 feet, making it a reliable option for those who are always on-the-go. Compact Design - The My Passport SSD is incredibly slim and compact, making it easy to carry in your pocket, bag, or purse. It's smaller than most smartphones, making it a convenient option for those who need to work or travel light. Compatibility - The drive works with both PC and Mac computers and comes with USB Type-C and Type-A cables for easy connectivity. Security - The My Passport SSD comes with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption to help protect your data. Cons: Price - The WD My Passport SSD is more expensive than traditional hard drives, but it's worth the investment if you need fast and reliable storage. Capacity - While 1TB is a decent amount of storage, it may not be enough for those who require more space for their files. Overall, the WD 1TB My Passport SSD is a high-quality and reliable storage solution that's perfect for those who need fast and portable storage. Its speed, durability, and compact design make it a top choice for professionals and creatives who are always on-the-go. If you're looking for a reliable and efficient external solid state drive, the WD My Passport SSD is definitely worth considering.
This little WD SSD My Passport is a marvel. In size, it is slightly bigger than a credit card (I have posted a photos with a Credit Card). It will fit easily into a shirt or jacket pocket and is therefore very easy to carry around. In speed it performs very well. Installation was a breeze. I was prepared to format the SSD just before use; I did not need to. It was literally plug and play. The device does get slightly warm in use, but only a little warmer than any HDD. Unlike some reports, it did not burn my desk or any other material. I could carry it around as I would any normal external Drive after use. Registration for the 5 year warranty was also easy on the WD website. It was done in under 5 minutes. WD immediately sent me a confirmation of the registration, and also a separate email linking me with their support site for 5 years. This was excellent service from WD. The only shortcoming is the length of the cable that comes with it. The cable is only about 3.5 inches long and does not allow for the SSD to sit on the table, when connected to an iMac. I will need to buy a 1ft cable to have it properly seated on my desk. I would highly recommend this small gem of a SSD. ETA: After my initial trial, I decided to format the SSD using Disk Utility on my iMac, and then check the speed of the Disk. There was remarkable improvement. I am attaching a screenshot of the results of my speed test.
Very High Speed and small in size so its portable It comes with a usb-c adapter
Been using for couple months. Seems good. But be aware pulling out from laptops/computers without properly ejecting (i was not sure i made the mistake). I got mine all corrupted i.e next time the drive was unrecognizable & had tk be formatted again.
I almost returned this because it's sooo small and I didn't think I ordered the right product. But I read the reviews again, and the benefits of SSD, and thought I should give it a try. It's been a while since I purchased an external drive to backup and remove photos and files from my phone. With my first one I lost a lot of files because didn't realize that it would take so long to transfer large files and inadvertently deleted them from the source before they were done. With this one, I was prepared to just set up the transfer of some large files and come back after lunch to check on the status of the transfer. I was shocked to see that they'd all successfully loaded within just a few minutes. So easy to use. Very happy with this purchase. I do recommend purchasing a storage case for it so it's harder to misplace; it really is that small.
A great product I love these Easy to use, limited issues, work through a splitter Very happy Yes, I will buy again!
Before I begin this review, let me take the time to note that if you're ordering flash drives, SD cards or SSDs online, be sure to run a capacity test on the drive you receive. Many drives for sale are counterfit drives that lie about their capacity. There's a handy little Windows tool called H2TestW. This drive arrived very quickly and was well packaged. I'm still shocked just how tiny this thing is; I know NVME drives (which this is interally) are small, but this is still shocking, it's around 1.5 inches wide, a few inches tall and super thin. The casing feels ridgid and sterdy with no flexing at all. It comes with a very short but still great quallity USB-C cable and a USB-A adapter. Straight away my PC recognized the drive with no issues. Western Digital included some encryption software for Windows and Mac on the drive, but sense I'm not storing anything sensative on here I just removed it. A test with H2TestW confirmed the drive is legitimate and is the advertised capacity. The read and write speeds were insainely fast and responsive, way faster than my mechanical USB hard disk. TLDR: Very compact and fast drive great for any usecase. I've always loved Western Digitals products, and this is yet another one.