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WD My Passport Essential Drives With New WD SmartWare Software
WD has introduced its smaller, smarter and more secure My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac ultra-portable external hard drives featuring WD’s new WD SmartWare software and equipped with hardware-based encryption. The new My Passport drives are more than 20 percent smaller than the previous generation My Passport. The new portable drives with WD SmartWare software visually present consumers’ data in a control center, providing them peace of mind that their precious photos, videos and files are securely protected. Available now at select retailers and the WD online store (shopwd.com), the new My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac drives are offered in capacities ranging from 320 GB to 1 TB and come in a range of colours including Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver and Midnight Black.
WD Pess Release
WD(R) Unveils Smaller, Smarter and More Secure Ultra-Portable My Passport(TM) Essential(TM) Drives With New WD SmartWare(TM) Software
Pocket-Size Drives with WD SmartWare and Hardware Encryption Keep Consumers’ Digital Lives Secure in One Place
LAKE FOREST, Calif., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—WD® (NYSE: WDC), the world’s leader in external storage solutions, today introduced its smaller, smarter and more secure My Passport(TM) Essential(TM) and My Passport for Mac® ultra-portable external hard drives featuring WD’s new WD SmartWare(TM) software and equipped with hardware-based encryption. The new My Passport drives are more than 20 percent smaller than the previous generation My Passport.
The new portable drives with WD SmartWare software visually present consumers’ data in a control center, providing them peace of mind that their precious photos, videos and files are securely protected. Available now at select retailers and the WD online store (shopwd.com), the new My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac drives are offered in capacities ranging from 320 GB to 1 TB and come in a range of colors including Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver and Midnight Black.
According to research firm Parks Associates, the average U.S. broadband household currently has over 120 gigabytes (GB) of digital media and files, which is expected to grow to over 1 terabyte (TB) of data by 2013. And while 70 percent of consumers back up their content, the majority of these people are using manual, cumbersome methods such as copying and pasting to multiple CDs and DVDs, and less than 18 percent use software that automatically and continuously backs up their content.
When the My Passport Essential drive is plugged in for the first time, the simple and intuitive first backup process launches automatically. The real-time visual interface of WD SmartWare software gives users a reassuring view of their backup as it happens. After the first backup, users’ files are backed up automatically every time they change or add a file.
My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac drives also feature user-selected password protection combined with military-grade 256-bit hardware encryption, which scrambles files before they are stored. Typically found only on much more expensive drive systems, the encryption acts as a virtual padlock to keep users’ data secure.
“The smaller and sleeker design of WD’s redesigned My Passport drives, combined with the intuitive visual backup experience of WD SmartWare software, makes this drive a smart and secure, travel-friendly storage choice,” said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD’s branded products group. “These ultra-portable drives are a stylish and spacious storage solution for consumers to confidently backup, store and carry their entire digital lives.”
WD My Passport Essential hard drives are designed for Windows®-based PCs while WD My Passport for Mac drives are formatted for Mac computers and are compatible with Apple® TimeMachine(TM), Apple’s integrated backup solution. WD SmartWare works on Windows PCs and Mac computers and offers a seamlessly integrated option for Mac users who want an alternative to TimeMachine or Mac OS 10.4 users who don’t have TimeMachine compatibility.
Price and Availability
The new My Passport Essential drives are offered in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB; My Passport Essential SE drives are offered in capacities of 750 GB and 1 TB. My Passport for Mac drives are available with 320 GB and 500 GB. My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac drives are available now at select retailers and online at http://www.shopwd.com. MSRP ranges from $109.99 to $249.99 USD depending on model.
WD SmartWare Software
WD SmartWare software features:
* Visual backup displays that show content in categories and shows the progress of backup;
* Automatic, continuous data backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file;
* Retrieve valuable data to its original location whether it’s lost data or the file has been overwritten; and,
* Customizable data backup that allows user to set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.
My Passport Essential
The new WD My Passport Essential, My Passport Essential SE and My Passport for Mac drives with WD SmartWare software feature:
* Smaller, sleeker design offered in a range of colors including Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver and Midnight Black;
* 256-bit hardware encryption for peace of mind knowing that data is protected from unauthorized access;
* USB 2.0 interface that powers(1) the drive directly from the USB port on user’s computer, no separate power supply is needed;
* Planet-friendly packaging derived from recycled materials to minimize waste;
* Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PCs; and,
* 2-year limited warranty.
The My Passport for Mac drives are plug-and-play ready for Mac computer users and compatible with Apple TimeMachine.
About WD
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and media products.
WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s Web site (http://www.westerndigital.com)to access a variety of financial and investor information.
Western Digital, WD, and the WD logo are registered trademarks; My Passport, My Passport Essential and WD SmartWare are trademarks of Western Digital Technologies, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Other marks may be mentioned herein that belong to other companies. All other brand and product names mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies. One gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes. One terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.
(1) An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.
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#1 Finnpc
Bought My Passport Essential in Finland and the WD SmartWare does not work. WD support informed that the program MAY not work with operating systems with language other than English. Seems so that they are not sure if that's the case! Of course we have operating systems in finnish language here in Finland. Nowhere in WD web-page is said anything about possible language problems nor in the distributors web-page. The software was one of the reasons to select WD product. Well, our market is small:)
2:56 pm - Thursday, October 8, 2009
#2 KSMYLZ
My Passport Essential will not connect , telling me that USB Device Not recognized, i'm am using Windows Vista platform is this the problem please reposond
4:27 am - Monday, October 26, 2009
#3 charles
I purchased a WD My Passport Essential 500gb. I plugged into one of my USBs and nothing happened, my PC did'nt even recognize the New Hardware.
My Computer icon did not show the new hardware.
What is happening here ?
5:34 pm - Wednesday, November 11, 2009
#4 Graham
As with charles above
I purchased a WD My Passport Essential 500gb. I plugged into one of my USBs and nothing happened, my PC did'nt even recognize the New Hardware.
My Computer icon did not show the new hardware.
What is happening here ?
I am running windows xp
10:24 pm - Sunday, November 15, 2009
#5 charles
I was told by Best Buy the reason. Apparently more power is required. I have two USBs in the front of my PC, they don't have enough power. I decided to plug into an USB in the back panel, and bingo it recognized the new hardware. It just that this WD Essential required that extra power.
1:35 pm - Monday, November 16, 2009
#6 Patrik
What the hell!!
Can not get "smartware" to start, only message i get is "unexpected error"
Live in Sweden and running Vista with a 1TB MyBook Elite.
Would be very greatful if someone knows what to do.
10:07 pm - Friday, November 27, 2009
#7 Patrik
To the person in Finland.
Solution:
If you are running any other language in Windows, and you wish to install the default English version of WD SmartWare, you will need to download and install the updated version from the download page.
Regards Patrik
10:28 pm - Friday, November 27, 2009
#8 Henrik
I have downloaded the newest version of WD Smartware and still get the error when trying to install.
I live in Denmark and think Im a bit (a lot) cheated when theres no warning on the box that the software doesnt work here in DK.
4:15 pm - Saturday, December 12, 2009
#9 bluetooth headsets
Thanks for posting that. I love WD drives and wanted to buy this, but reading about this software made me leery. Good to know it actually can be removed.
9:49 am - Thursday, December 24, 2009
#10 Paul
Same problems here in the Netherlands....PC doesn't see the drive when connected ! :-(
5:23 pm - Friday, January 22, 2010
#11 Tonje
I have the same problem as some of you, my PC did'nt even recognize the New Hardware.
My Computer icon did not show the new hardware. The usb light is glowing on my passport but no reaction. I live in Norway, don't know if there is some problems with that..
10:38 am - Friday, February 5, 2010
#12 Paul
My problem is solved now. Root cause was a badly fitting USB cable (the mini cable connector had a much too loose fit in the connector of the drive). This resulted in a bad connection and Computer not "seeing" the drive..
I issued an RMA request at the WD support webside and after some weeks (!) finally got a new cable in the mail which is working perfectly !!
Hope this helps..
Gr.Paul
11:14 am - Friday, February 5, 2010
#13 sue
My WD SmartWare works well on my computer but when I try to use it with my laptop my screen turns blue and shuts down informing me I have a major error does anyone know why this is happening???? My laptop does not stay on long enough for me to install the drive!!! Both computers run with XP windows. Many thanks if anyone can help.
Sue
1:22 pm - Saturday, February 20, 2010
#14 Paul
Hello Sue,
Strange issue with the laptop....
Maybe the WD pulls too much power from the laptop ?
Did you try operating the laptop with the powersupply (so, not on batterypower). That might help..
Just an idea..
3:54 pm - Saturday, February 20, 2010
#15 Ernestine Jones
.
I purchased a WD My Passport Essential 500gb. It stated that I can get user manual online at:http://products.wdc.com/updates.However the link does not work. How can I get the user manual?
12:47 am - Tuesday, March 2, 2010
#16 D.J.THAKUR
i BOUGHT A PASSPORT ESSENTIAL 500 gb drive today and before switching any thing I hought I will go through the user manual first.
WD informs that teh user manual is available on http://products.wdc.com/pdates-I am unable o locate it at this link.
Does nyone know wher to find it.
I wish WD could hav pckaged a mini user manual in the product package.
12:28 pm - Friday, March 19, 2010
#17 Paul
D.J,
You do know google right or are you just lazy ?
I should not reward you with this but here it is:
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/wdsmartware/um.asp
12:41 pm - Friday, March 19, 2010
#18 Jean Smith
Plugged my WD in a couple of weeks ago and thought it was working how it should be but I only save my stuff in "My Book F" and not the WD usb. I think it is because I didn't click cancel when the wizard came up which I have since found out I should have done. Any advice please or have I got to remove the whole thing and start again, I will probably get into a bigger mess if I do that LOL.
5:54 pm - Friday, April 23, 2010
#19 bert
will my passport essential se work on a mac osx 10.3.9
11:17 am - Tuesday, April 27, 2010
#20 Aaron
I have a 500GB passport and I've just plugged it in, and rather than not show up at all, as is the case with some of you, it shows up as a DVD drive?
2:40 am - Sunday, June 6, 2010
#21 K Abbott
My BRAND NEW Passport Essential 640 GB worked ONCE. I set it up and loaded up 300 GB of info. on it and set up the security. Now I can't do anything because when I try to unlock it to use it all the software keeps saying is "unexpected error" and closes. What's up with this? I got a Western Digital because of the good name and it's turning out to be more trouble than it's worth.
9:55 pm - Friday, July 9, 2010
#22 Jean Smith
This page is supposed to help us but I posted my comment 3 months ago but there are more questions than answers? Where are the WD guys to help or don't they care once we have paid? PC world tech guys talked mr through the set up then tried a different approach and told me mine will never work on either my desktop or laptop except if I plug it in and use like I would a memory stick! Wonderful!
6:50 am - Sunday, July 11, 2010
#23 karatekid
I have a 500gb passport. I have windows 7. My computer recognizes it, but the wd smartware doesn't.
6:31 pm - Tuesday, August 17, 2010
#24 Mrs Janet Howe
I purchased a "my Passport Essential Ultra Portable Drive 2 days ago and have tried several times to call up INSTRUCTION DETAILS. PLEAE EMAIL A SET OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS AS i AM GOING CRAZY TRYING TO GET THEM OFF THE INTERNET..PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME
JANET HOWE
1:32 am - Sunday, October 3, 2010
#25 Rachel
Hi,
I have been using my Western Passport Memory stick for 2 years, on and off it has been working and not working. However its really gave up the ghost. Its to the point, now, that when i have it plugged into my laptop (and college computers) the light is glowing on...but not connecting to my computer or anything. I can feel it "whirring" inside, working, however, i keep cleaing the usb fitting, seeing if its not fitted in properly, but still nothing.
Would be great if someone could tell me if,
1) any other way to see if it works?
2) if i can retrieve my work as i have 2 years of college (VITAL COLLEGE) work on it lol!
Thank you! Answer ASAP!!!! xD
xxx
8:05 pm - Thursday, October 14, 2010
#26 tracy
Does pass port essential also back up the Operating systems? I need to wipe mine clean, but need to put the operation system back on. It came with it already instaled.
9:38 pm - Friday, November 26, 2010
#27 ALI
i am taking backup from my wd port essential but suddenly my computer restarted and after that my wd port essential is not working completely. Now it install the WD SES and nothing happened. Please tell me what i will do now.Thax........
7:04 am - Wednesday, February 23, 2011
#28 Kreeper323
I bought a WD my passport 500gb. it was working fine untill my wife tripped and it fell disconnected and fell about 1ft. down . tried to connect it and it reads it but can't open my files and a message of "need to format". is their a component i can transfer my info. to a new WD my passport . ?
5:46 am - Monday, May 23, 2011
#29 Paramjit
I have passport for some time now without any trouble. Quite recently, I am having trouble to access my files. It just won't open.
Any body any clue / help
6:53 pm - Saturday, February 18, 2012
#30 Jerry Benjamin
Trying to get My Passport Essentials to open up.
Icon appears in Devices and Printers. Double clicking and right clicking does not produce an "open" option. No icon appears in the Computer window. WD format utility ends up with "Format Failed" Never have attempted to utilize it until after it went out of warranty. WD help not available. Anyone have any ideas?
Benjamin-- E:Mail:
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5:21 am - Sunday, March 4, 2012