Originally published at: https://www.ogbongeblog.com/western-digital-mypassport-ssd-external-drive-for-mac-windows-pc.html
Introduction
Western Digital (WD) hits the mark again with the MyPassport SSD; an external drive redesigned to look both stylish and sleek. Upon seeing the device, the distinctive size becomes apparent. At dimensions of 3.94” x 2.17” x 0.35” and a weight of 1.7 ounces, the MyPassport looks and weighs more like an ATM card than an actual passport. If you live an active life and require portable storage, the MyPassport SSD was made for you. Space is no longer a problem! It is small enough to fit right into your pockets for easier accessibility. Durability is also not an issue as this drive has a maximum drop resistance of 6.5ft and enough shock and vibration resistance to sustain minor impact without damage to any of its internal mechanisms.
Unboxing
Unboxing the MyPassport SSD reveals a portable SSD Drive, USB Type-C to Type-C cable (supports USB 3.1 Gen-2), USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, WD Discovery™ software** for WD Backup™, WD Security™ and WD Drive Utilities™ as well as a quick install guide.
Compatibility
The WD MyPassport SSD is Compatible with Windows® 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, macOS High Sierra, Sierra or El Capitan. Reformatting may be required for other operating systems.
Design and Performance
The WD MyPassport SSD is aesthetically pleasing. It is stylishly designed in a range of colors (blue, gold, grey or red), enclosed in a compact sleek metal design. A prominent selling point of the MyPassport SSD is its speeds. With read speeds of 1050MB/s and write speeds of 1000MB/s, long wait times for media transfers are a thing of the past. Large, gigabyte-size file transfers which would take up precious time if a traditional USB drive was utilized, is completed in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, WD is yet to find the perfect balance between speed and heat. While the drive is fast, it also heats up quickly so users should not be too alarmed. Storage options ranging from 500GB to 4TB means capacity will never be an issue.
Keeping with the trend of newer external drives, the MyPassport SSD is supported by its own WD Discovery software in the form of the WD Security App and Drive Utilities. Password protection courtesy of 256-bit AES hardware encryption helps keep your content secure. Password protection is a feature provided courtesy of the Security app to ensure restricted access to the contents of your drive. The Drive Utilities app, on the other hand, allows for drive registration, setting timers, diagnostic runs and drive erasure.
Opinion
The Western Digital MyPassport SSD lives up to its name as an electronic passport of access to immense storage – and quickly too. In terms of compatibility, the MyPassport is functional on both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. A simple reformat is all that is required to alternate from Windows’ NTFS file system to Macintosh’s APFS system and vice-versa. For those who would like to use the MyPassport simply as a backup tool, it also comes with Backup software and Apple Time Machine compatibility. The drive also comes with both USB-3 and USB-C adapters to ensure you can plug in on any laptop or PC nearly hassle-free (both accessories are quite short by industry standards). The My Passport is my first recommendation for anyone who wants well-priced SSD storage and great portability.
Price of Western Digital External SSD in Nigeria
In Nigeria, starting off at N40,000 for the 256GB option on Jumia, the WD MyPassport SSD is definitely a worthwhile purchase for everyone: from the IT professional to the average computer user.
For more digital storage solutions from Western Digital visit: https://shop.westerndigital.com/
WD MyPassport SSD Specifications
Capacity – 500 GB
Interface – USB 3.2
Connector – USB-C
Dimensions (L x W x H) – 3.94″ x 2.17″ x 0.35″
Sequential Read Performance – 1050MB/s
Sequential Write Performance – 1000MB/s