Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive by Western Digital
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Digital camera reviews of Western Digital WDG1SU5000 My Book Premium ES Edition 500 GB USB/eSATA External Hard Drive
Digital camera Review: Functionality vs. quality
Summary: 3 Stars
Description: The WDG1SU5000 MyBook ES Edition drive is an external 500GB hard-drive with two interfaces - eSata and USB2. It has a led display at the front ("capacity gauge") which is supposed to indicate the remaining free space.
Functionality: the drive was instantly recognized when I plugged it into the USB2 port. When the computer is turned off the drive automatically goes into "sleep" mode.
Noise: I had to change the first drive I received. It was vibrating so strongly that when placed on a table it made a rather loud and irritating low-pitched humming noise. I placed the drive on a sponge to prevent the table from resonating. In order to keep the drive from falling (it is supposed to stand on its narrow side), I laid it down on its wide side, which the WD web-site claims is OK to do. After two days, while still functioning, the drive started making annoying buzzing noises. Placing the drive back on its narrow side stopped the noise for about two hours and then the noise came back again.
I replaced the drive. The second one I received and still possess does not vibrate so strongly and can be placed on the table without humming noticeably. However, when the drive head jumps back and forth (while reading, for example), the drive makes rather strong creaking noises. I placed it again on a sponge and it became quieter. I do not try again to lay it down on its wide side.
The LED capacity gauge: I have installed the gauge driver as required. it is very hard to notice anything on the capacity display. The "gauge" consists of two rings - the outer ring indicates that the drive is working and the inner is supposed to show how much free space remains. The problem is that the outer ring is not isolated from the inner one and its light actually illuminates the inner ring from the inside, making the free-space display too hard to read and practically unusable.
Support: I have posted a question on the Western-Digital WDC site concerning the capacity gauge and received a list of automatically generated links which have nothing to do with the question. I tried to get their attention on the web and through emails, filling forms as required and replying to automatic emails as indicated, but to no avail. Finally I gave up.
Pros: USB2 and eSata interfaces (I have not tried the eSata). Auto "sleep" mode. Price.
Cons: somewhat unstable and noisy. Difficult to get support. Capacity gauge is only a gimmick. Does not get its power from the USB port - needs to be plugged into the electricity.
Digital camera Review: Good Price with value
Summary: 5 Stars
i always buy western digital hard drive and they were good and i like there warranty.Digital camera Review: Good for some things not others
Summary: 3 Stars
It was pretty cool. Plugged it in it worked straight no issues till I tried to store a file that was 7 gigs it would not support that. So I moved my iTunes library to it instead. Im not unhappy kust mildly dissapointed because it wont do what I wanted it for. But if you only intended to store file smaller than 6 gig this is for you.Digital camera Review: Great Features, good support, questionable quality
Summary: 3 Stars
This drive has some great features like dual interface and auto power down. It worked as soon as I plugged it in (USB) and worked for just over 11 months before it died. I found that it would work for a few minutes after being powered up and then fail. I was able to erase it and WD sent a new one. I paid to send back the old one but they have a deal with UPS that saves a little over a buck. The new one didn't work at all. I just sent it back and they are sending another. It was great while it worked and they did make warranty replacement easy but the quality is not what I expect from WD. With the new drive I'll have only a 30 warranty.Digital camera Review: Great product. Just wish it had a FireWire port.
Summary: 5 Stars
This product is a great hdd. It works well and looks great. Once the computer recognizes the external hdd, it transfers data at speeds that will blow you away. My only complaint is that I wish it had a FireWire port.