Question 1

Is it solid state?

Accepted Answer

No Hard Disk Drive refers to spinning physical discs.   Solid State Drives would state they are SSD.

Question 2

Is this compatible with laptops?

Accepted Answer

The unit is standard size to fit a desktop only. There is no way it would fit in a laptop. However you can use the drive running installed in a external case only. Jeff this drive is really good and might I suggest you contact WD by phone they have 800 number and have them make a suggestion on what would drive they recommend using a internal lap top hard drive. That way the drive is always with the case instead of carrying two or three items

Question 3

can this be used as external hard drive straight out of the package or does it need to be booted or upload with software?

Accepted Answer

This hard disk drive is intended to be used internally and, thus, has only the connections for doing so.  It can, however, be hooked up externally by using additional cables and power supply that are available seperately using a USB connection to your computer.  The external connection kit is inexpensive and readily available for purchase but is mostly used in cases where a hard disk drive holds valuable files but is removed from a non-working computer.

Question 4

do the new drives come with new cables?

Accepted Answer

This is a bare drive, no cables. Any SATA cable will work. You can also get 4 pin to SATA power adapters

Question 5

is this an external or internal unit for memory?

Accepted Answer

Dorothy, this is a internal 1terrabyte storage unit. It is a very good deal if you have connections internally for power and sata straps and need more disk storage with an extra internal disk. If you lost your disk drive and need another and you have sata connections this is also good for that.

Question 6

I am concerned about the power connection...the 8pin in specific. Does it come with this package, if not, what is the description so that I can order it?

Accepted Answer

This package comes with no power or data cables or adapters. Which one do you need depends on what you currently have. If your power supply is not new or you ran out of data power connectors you can buy an adapter from the old IDE/PATA hard drives ie molex ro sata: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200061

Question 7

Does it come with the necessary cable to connect to the motherboard or is that seperate?

Accepted Answer

Nope. It comes just like you see it in the pictures. You're going to want a SATA III aka SATA 6.0 Gb/s compliant cable. Normally your motherboard will come with a few of these. If your motherboard is not SATA 6.0 Gb/s complaint (say SATA II or 3.0 Gb/s) don't worry - it's backward compatible.

Question 8

if i build a custom pc do i have to buy windows 8 or 10?

Accepted Answer

If you're building it from the ground up, you'll need to purchase an Operating System (OS). There are many options, but a Windows OS ( Windows 8 or 10) is the most common. Hard drives usually come unformatted with no partitions containing an OS.

Question 9

will this size be recognized by win 7 ?

Accepted Answer

The windows operating system doesnt need to "recognize" hard drive space in order for it to work. However, you do need at least 30 gigs to install windows 7 and to operate your computer. A 1 tera bite hard drive equals 1000 gigs. You can have as much hard drive space as you want for any windows operating system. Its when you dont have enough gigs is when it becomes a problem. This hard drive will keep you busy for a while, so enjoy.

Question 10

I am concerned about the fact that it is a bare drive. I am afraid that the exposed moving parts will become damaged thus rendering it useless. Am I being a total paranoid idiot or are my concerns called for?

Accepted Answer

It is not a bare drive in the sense that it has exposed parts. It is a bare drive in that it does not come in the original box. The first picture is a little deceiving, but mine can with the metal plate on the front/top as is shown in the second and third pictures. My drive has been chuggin' along for a year without any problems.

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