WD My Passport Essential SE 1TB USB 2.0 2.5" Portable External Hard Drive WDBABM0010BBK-NESN Black

Pros: Fast Drive, Small, Durable, HUGE STORAGE

Cons: WD Smartware

Overall Review: Here is a definitive removal of the WD Smartware that I tried and it worked: 1. Plug the drive in and boot the computer with the Windows XP install disc in the machine 2. Go to the disk select menu and delete both partitions of the drive. 3 Restart the computer and reformat the drive 4. It Works!

Pros: Very quiet, very cool running. I did 12 hours of drive testing prior to using this - don't want to have a problem right off the bat - and the case was barely warm. I did go to the WD site and read how to prevent the WD software from installing - and do run the MS program Autostarts - and the WD programs worked. I no longer have the annoying WD program showing up in my XP Tray. Drive is fairly quick - I just wish they had an e-sata interface on the drive. Also very light in weight. The case is fairly easy to get apart (just run your thumbnail in the split - the case is literally a plastic "book") and the drive is the taller 2.5" form factor. I may measure my Lenovo laptop caes and see if I can squeeze it in: A Laptop with 1 TB of space! After several days of using this drive, I'm very satisfied and feel for $200 (and free shipping) NewEgg has delivered a great product and value. Thanks to NewEgg - You guys are my "Go To - Never Fail Vendor!"

Cons: Using the newer USB Micro connector - Now I have to keep several of these lying around. Plastic case and no protective pouch / cover - minor point but still, a point!

Overall Review: Thanks again to NewEgg. Great pricing on great products!

Pros: Small/Compact Lots of storage space Formatted NTFS USB powered Respectable speed $20 Gift Card

Cons: None

Overall Review: I did a lot of reading about this drive before I bought it. It seems most of the negative comments are related to two issues: 1) WD SmartWare Software w/ Virtual CD and 2) Loose usb cable connection. Western Digital has addressed both issues. A firmware and software update will allow you to disable the Virtual CD and opt not to install the WD sofware. (www.wdc.com) The whole process took less than 10 minutes. The usb cable that came with my drive connects tightly. From what I read, most of the newer drives come with the new and improved cable, but if you find your connection is loose and easily disconnected, WD will send out a new cable if you call them. I didn't mind having to update the firmware as long as WD gave me the option of not installing their software. Customers want choices. Most people simply want the extra storage in an external drive. Then, if needed, let them choose the backup or cloning software they prefer. A terabyte (930GB) in my pocket. Can't beat that!

Pros: Shipped quickly .. must be because they shipped it locally from their RMA warehouse (used products)

Cons: Looking at the shipping address I noticed it was shipped from their RMA depot. Also the "security" sticker looked tampered with. Although the drive appeared empty, when I ran a my own file recovery I found and found somebody else's files. I DID NOT WANT A USED HD especially at the price of a new drive!!!!!!!!

Pros: Small, compact, and reliable. Awesome storage size. I would expect nothing less from WD. The free storage case was a great addition. I don't know if you upgraded the USB cable: I have no problems with it, and it is fairly rugged. No idea what everyone was complaining about…

Cons: As with everyone else, the VCD bugged me. However, just disable it. I've tried everything to make it disappear. But, the size of the VCD is negligible compared to the full size of the disk. Just follow WD's steps to disable the VCD and forget about it. But, don't forget to make a copy of the WD SES Device Driver, just in case.

Overall Review: I purchased mine while deployed in The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Afghanistan. I got in one week! Way to go Newegg! I am truly impressed with your shipping department... Give those guys a raise!

Pros: Great Storage Capacity......

Cons: The worst connector known to man.....I literally can not hold the HD in my hand and set it down without losing connection to my PC, the slightest vibration causes it to lose connection so essentially the HD is worthless to me, I have to keep it PERFECTLY still to do anything with this HD and I bought it to be on the go with me and my laptop........it's worthless.

Pros: its a usb hard drive. and the price

Cons: the other programs that are on the hard drive.

Overall Review: i got this hard drive while in the Iraq in the summer and never once has it over heated. first time i droped it was from about one foot of the floor riped out the usb cord pluged it in and worked fine. second time was from the top bunk of a bunk bed hit a wood floor picked it up snaped the case back together and pluged it in and has worked fine.

Pros: Capacity and dimensions

Cons: The USB cable is not standard. I haven't had any issue with it yet but I'm still trying to make up my mind of I want to buy a spare cable or bite the bullet and sell the drive. The drive is noticeably slower than any other external drives I've owned. This is my biggest complain to the point I don't want it any more. Even the little things like coming on when I plug it in and to "safe disconnect" take forever!

Overall Review: It's not worth the price. If you like speed... at least average speed, stay away from it.