Price : Too low to display
High-speed storage, conveniently placed buttons and easy-to-use backup features make the WD Dual-option external USB drive an ideal solution for that much-needed additional storage and a perfect place to back up your valuable data, music, photos and movies.
This review is from : Western Digital 160 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup
Great Drive... Horrible Software... Mediocre Support . In our office we have several external hard drives and I can say that this particular WD model (the 160GB External) is so good we bought two. But... don't stop reading here... make it to the bottom of this review before you buy it.
About the drive: Very quiet drive, easily recognized by Windows and works great for hot swapping. I LOVE the fact that it will not let you turn it off until you unmount it from your computer... that feature should be mandatory on all drives. For all those who remember when WD sucked... they have definitely come back on top!
About the software: The Software that came with this product is Dantz Retrospect. Not only is it one of the most confusing software products I have ever seen but Dantz refuses to support it b/c it is a "bundled" product. We use Bounceback Pro from CMS... Much much better. Personally the sooner Dantz gets bought or goes out of business the better.
About WD's customer service: I agree with the reviewer who lamented their poor tech support... I agree with that. However I have found that the 2 drives I have work flawlessly as drives so their lack of tech support is a wash given the advantages of the drive.
A couple additional notes, if you are computer savvy enough to figure out how to use Amazon you are computer savvy enough to use this drive. It is well worth the investment. However, and my sympathy to the reviewer that lost all her data... External Drives have ALL of the potential problems of internal drives PLUS the problems of floppies and other media combined. DO NOT EVER TRUST AN EXTERNAL DRIVE TO BE THE ONLY BACKUP SOURCE. Use 2 drives in combo but never leave unbacked-up data on an EHD... you're asking for a problem.
Final Assessment: Buy it. Make sure you get another set of backup software (there are a bunch of freeware ones) and make sure you do not pay more then $0.75 per GB.
Great Drive... Horrible Software... Mediocre Support . In our office we have several external hard drives and I can say that this particular WD model (the 160GB External) is so good we bought two. But... don't stop reading here... make it to the bottom of this review before you buy it.
About the drive: Very quiet drive, easily recognized by Windows and works great for hot swapping. I LOVE the fact that it will not let you turn it off until you unmount it from your computer... that feature should be mandatory on all drives. For all those who remember when WD sucked... they have definitely come back on top!
About the software: The Software that came with this product is Dantz Retrospect. Not only is it one of the most confusing software products I have ever seen but Dantz refuses to support it b/c it is a "bundled" product. We use Bounceback Pro from CMS... Much much better. Personally the sooner Dantz gets bought or goes out of business the better.
About WD's customer service: I agree with the reviewer who lamented their poor tech support... I agree with that. However I have found that the 2 drives I have work flawlessly as drives so their lack of tech support is a wash given the advantages of the drive.
A couple additional notes, if you are computer savvy enough to figure out how to use Amazon you are computer savvy enough to use this drive. It is well worth the investment. However, and my sympathy to the reviewer that lost all her data... External Drives have ALL of the potential problems of internal drives PLUS the problems of floppies and other media combined. DO NOT EVER TRUST AN EXTERNAL DRIVE TO BE THE ONLY BACKUP SOURCE. Use 2 drives in combo but never leave unbacked-up data on an EHD... you're asking for a problem.
Final Assessment: Buy it. Make sure you get another set of backup software (there are a bunch of freeware ones) and make sure you do not pay more then $0.75 per GB.
Western Digital 160 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup Reviews
Good overall . Backup software: 'Retrospect' is not very intuitive, but the manual on CD explains the operation, options etc. very well. I'd say 'almost professional' quality. Dantz, the maker of this software is owned by EMC, a famous storage products company. If you have files that you're gonna have a copy on this HD only, then you'll like the software, because it backs things up in ~650MB pieces (by default, no need to play with settings) so that you can back them up on CD-Rs or DVD+-R's.
USB: If you use a built-in USB-2.0 port, it works well, but I use a PCMCIA card (otherwise I only have USB-1.1 ports.) Unfortunately, this hard disk cannot communicate with my laptop through that card very smoothly, it took an hour to copy 1.5GB of data. Granted, this is not my only device that does not like this setup, but -for example- Sony DVD-writer had no problems, it wrote 4.5GB of data in 17 minutes. Hence, USB chip in this WD hard disk is not the best.
Format: Comes in FAT32 format. You need to format it for NTSC if you think you'll have files larger than 4GB. It is easy to do through Windows XP control panel. (Administrative Tools->Computer Management->Disk Management) I think new generation Intel-based Macs will be supporting NTSC as well.
Size: Slightly larger than others, but I guess they need the larger size to dissipate the heat as it does not have a fan. However, absence of a fan makes it very quiet.
Reliability: I own for about two weeks, so far it works. Still, keep backups if you have files that are stored only on this hard disk. Any hard disk may fail, even the ones they put in big and expensive servers.
Aesthetically pleasing design with a nice blue LED shining behind the power button.
Good overall . Backup software: 'Retrospect' is not very intuitive, but the manual on CD explains the operation, options etc. very well. I'd say 'almost professional' quality. Dantz, the maker of this software is owned by EMC, a famous storage products company. If you have files that you're gonna have a copy on this HD only, then you'll like the software, because it backs things up in ~650MB pieces (by default, no need to play with settings) so that you can back them up on CD-Rs or DVD+-R's.
USB: If you use a built-in USB-2.0 port, it works well, but I use a PCMCIA card (otherwise I only have USB-1.1 ports.) Unfortunately, this hard disk cannot communicate with my laptop through that card very smoothly, it took an hour to copy 1.5GB of data. Granted, this is not my only device that does not like this setup, but -for example- Sony DVD-writer had no problems, it wrote 4.5GB of data in 17 minutes. Hence, USB chip in this WD hard disk is not the best.
Format: Comes in FAT32 format. You need to format it for NTSC if you think you'll have files larger than 4GB. It is easy to do through Windows XP control panel. (Administrative Tools->Computer Management->Disk Management) I think new generation Intel-based Macs will be supporting NTSC as well.
Size: Slightly larger than others, but I guess they need the larger size to dissipate the heat as it does not have a fan. However, absence of a fan makes it very quiet.
Reliability: I own for about two weeks, so far it works. Still, keep backups if you have files that are stored only on this hard disk. Any hard disk may fail, even the ones they put in big and expensive servers.
Aesthetically pleasing design with a nice blue LED shining behind the power button.
Western Digital 160 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup Opinions
A Wonderfully quiet hard drive . I love this hard drive. My LaCie and others have loud fans and since I bought them for digital video the sound when taping is annoying ( to hear over or tape over). This unit is quiet and has worked without a problem for me. The only thing I'd change on it is that the power plug can be knocked out if tugged on ( if your wiring is all tangled like mine--my fault). Other than that this is drive to buy.
An Update 3/16/06: Do not ever let this drive system get wet. Mine did and died. Fried the circuit board of the system--not however the hard drive which is safely tucked in a case inside. The company was not much help. Said, you can send the drive far away to a data recovery place. I did what they said you couldn't do. Bought an entire new drive system identical to the one I had. Put tons of stuff I wanted to back up onto the drive. Took the new drive out of the new system and tucked it in a safe place, and then put my old drive from the fried system into the new systems box. And I had my old drive back good as new, with a back up drive will tons of my data safely tucked away.
A Wonderfully quiet hard drive . I love this hard drive. My LaCie and others have loud fans and since I bought them for digital video the sound when taping is annoying ( to hear over or tape over). This unit is quiet and has worked without a problem for me. The only thing I'd change on it is that the power plug can be knocked out if tugged on ( if your wiring is all tangled like mine--my fault). Other than that this is drive to buy.
An Update 3/16/06: Do not ever let this drive system get wet. Mine did and died. Fried the circuit board of the system--not however the hard drive which is safely tucked in a case inside. The company was not much help. Said, you can send the drive far away to a data recovery place. I did what they said you couldn't do. Bought an entire new drive system identical to the one I had. Put tons of stuff I wanted to back up onto the drive. Took the new drive out of the new system and tucked it in a safe place, and then put my old drive from the fried system into the new systems box. And I had my old drive back good as new, with a back up drive will tons of my data safely tucked away.
Excellent Quiet Storage . Large enough storage for digital video, or raw audio files. USB 2.0 connectors for multiple platforms. This drive is well worth the money, but is extra sweet if you can find it on sale. As another reviewer mentioned, this drive is very quiet, almost silent. Due to the aluminum and vented case, it does not require a fan, even in 80-90 degree weather with high humidity (trust me, I know).
I recommend.
I recommend.
I've had this for 5 years.. not a single issue ever. . I usually don't care to leave reviews for items I purchase but I have to give credit to WD for this external HD. Although it looks aged by today's standards, this external HD has been nothing but solid for me in the past 5 years. I've dropped it numerous times and to this day I am still shocked that it works like a charm.
10/10 based on the 5 years.
10/10 based on the 5 years.
Western Digital 160 Gig External - Going strong since 2004 . The Western Digital 160 GB External Hard Drive is solid. I've had mine since 2004 and it's still performing as strong as it did when I first got it. Don't bother with the extra software since this unit is plug-&-play compatible so all you have to do is plug it into your computer and it'll detect it. This external hard drive even works with the Xbox 360.
It's pretty durable and has survived a drop or two onto the floor and several accidental unpluggings. All in all, this external hard drive has served me well & will continue to. Recommended to anyone who needs more space for their files and multimedia!
It's pretty durable and has survived a drop or two onto the floor and several accidental unpluggings. All in all, this external hard drive has served me well & will continue to. Recommended to anyone who needs more space for their files and multimedia!
Brilliant for Photo Storage! . I purchased the Western Digital External 160 GB Hard Drive about 9 months ago. At first, I was skeptical about the viability of an external hard drive, however, by now the WD 160 has happily changed my mind.
This WD external unit is compatible with PCs and Macs (and stands vertically or lays horizontally). It arrives with 160 gigabytes of memory, 7200 RPMs speed, 6 feet of cable, and an AC adapter with chord. Three face-illuminated buttons provide "dual-option" backup (automatic and manual) and front mounted power switch. The 160's USB wiring easily and adroitly connects to the CPU.
This unit is brilliant for storing digital photos! I've stored on it and retrieved from it 1000s of pictures without any problem. I have also filed 100s of documents on it. The WD 160 is an accessing breeze. Its compact size makes it nice, also, for transport (via brief case or backpack) to other computers. It is a pleasure, and sometimes a relief, to use its mighty storage capacity.
If you are looking for an inexpensive fail-safe storage platform consider the WD 160 GB USB Hard Drive 2.0
This WD external unit is compatible with PCs and Macs (and stands vertically or lays horizontally). It arrives with 160 gigabytes of memory, 7200 RPMs speed, 6 feet of cable, and an AC adapter with chord. Three face-illuminated buttons provide "dual-option" backup (automatic and manual) and front mounted power switch. The 160's USB wiring easily and adroitly connects to the CPU.
This unit is brilliant for storing digital photos! I've stored on it and retrieved from it 1000s of pictures without any problem. I have also filed 100s of documents on it. The WD 160 is an accessing breeze. Its compact size makes it nice, also, for transport (via brief case or backpack) to other computers. It is a pleasure, and sometimes a relief, to use its mighty storage capacity.
If you are looking for an inexpensive fail-safe storage platform consider the WD 160 GB USB Hard Drive 2.0
Cons Review
lasted one and a half months... . bought it mid-december 2005. towards the end of january '06 it started making noises and now constantly fails, making it very frustrating trying to remove all the data i had stored there.
Beware of WD External HDs if You Value Your Data!!! . This review is for a different HD by Western Digital, but the customer service and product warranty are exactly the same...
My 250GB Western Digital hard drive died after only a month & took with it over 150GB worth of data that wasn't backed up anywhere else (for obvious reasons - who really "backs up" their backup drive anyway?). At first the drive worked very well: it supported plug-and-play, had a large amount of space, was competitively priced and was made by WD, a brand I thought to be trustworthy.
However, a company who boasts for you to "Put Your Life On It" (their external hard drives) should at least try to ensure data reliability & take accountability for their products. When I called customer service about my failed drive I obtained this list of information:
1. If you wish to recover your data, you must use one of their partners or risk voiding your warranty. There are only 8 in North America.
2. You are responsible for the cost incurred in using their data recovery partners.
3. Western Digital doesn't issue any refunds. If you purchased your drive from a store such as BestBuy you could return your faulty product. However, at online retailers such as Buy.com you are left without options.
4. You can obtain a replacement drive (what they call re-certified) but it'll be devoid of your precious data.
5. You are responsible for the shipping costs associated with returning the faulty drive back to WD. They pay for shipping of the replacement drive to you. This is apparently called "fair shipping".
6. According to the CSR, Western Digital is not responsible for your data. They are only a supplier of hard drives.
7. On a different note, the CSR never actually apologized for my failed drive but only used words such as "unfortunate" and "let's explore your options".
In summary, this product is fine if you happen to receive a unit that doesn't fail. However, I would not be willing to take that risk and I don't recommend anyone buying this product for any amount of money. It's acceptable that a device such as this is prone to failure. However, Western Digital's "it's not my problem" attitude is not.
My 250GB Western Digital hard drive died after only a month & took with it over 150GB worth of data that wasn't backed up anywhere else (for obvious reasons - who really "backs up" their backup drive anyway?). At first the drive worked very well: it supported plug-and-play, had a large amount of space, was competitively priced and was made by WD, a brand I thought to be trustworthy.
However, a company who boasts for you to "Put Your Life On It" (their external hard drives) should at least try to ensure data reliability & take accountability for their products. When I called customer service about my failed drive I obtained this list of information:
1. If you wish to recover your data, you must use one of their partners or risk voiding your warranty. There are only 8 in North America.
2. You are responsible for the cost incurred in using their data recovery partners.
3. Western Digital doesn't issue any refunds. If you purchased your drive from a store such as BestBuy you could return your faulty product. However, at online retailers such as Buy.com you are left without options.
4. You can obtain a replacement drive (what they call re-certified) but it'll be devoid of your precious data.
5. You are responsible for the shipping costs associated with returning the faulty drive back to WD. They pay for shipping of the replacement drive to you. This is apparently called "fair shipping".
6. According to the CSR, Western Digital is not responsible for your data. They are only a supplier of hard drives.
7. On a different note, the CSR never actually apologized for my failed drive but only used words such as "unfortunate" and "let's explore your options".
In summary, this product is fine if you happen to receive a unit that doesn't fail. However, I would not be willing to take that risk and I don't recommend anyone buying this product for any amount of money. It's acceptable that a device such as this is prone to failure. However, Western Digital's "it's not my problem" attitude is not.
Perfect for catastrophic data loss . This drive worked beutifully in the first 9 months in on of our school research laboratories, regardless of the infrequent unexplained miscommunication with the PC. After they trusted it for work and research data backup, done just once every 2 weeks, it suddenly gave clicking sounds and stopped working. After extended agony with the customer support, they simply got nothing. Surperisingly, when they talked about this subject with some of our collegues in our University, they discovered that many of us, in defferent departments, suffered from the same problem with different models of the Wistern Digital external hard drives (USB/Firewire).
After all the frustration and the torture with this piece of junk, I can say for sure, Buy WD if you are looking for the best machine to lose your data? Beleive me when I say Western Digital Hard Drives are absolutely the worst for your data storage. We've been there before.
After all the frustration and the torture with this piece of junk, I can say for sure, Buy WD if you are looking for the best machine to lose your data? Beleive me when I say Western Digital Hard Drives are absolutely the worst for your data storage. We've been there before.
Feature Western Digital 160 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup
- Dual-option Backup – choose how and when to back up your data, automatically or on-the-spot
- USB 2.0 interface – high-speed connection for maximum throughput
- ??Front-mounted power button – equipped with WD's exclusive Safe Shutdown™ feature that ensures all data has been safely transferred before shutting down the drive
- ??7200 RPM rotational speed
- Preformatted*; simply plug it in and go
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Product Details
EAN : 0718037108377UPC : 718037108377
MPN : WDXUB1600BBN
Brand : Western Digital
Weight : 6 pounds
Height : 8 inches
Length : 10 inches
Width : 8 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Hardware Platform : PC
Manufacturer : Western Digital
Model : WDXUB1600BBNN
Publisher : Western Digital
SKU : DHWDXUB1600BBNN
Studio : Western Digital
Where To Buy
You can buy Western Digital 160 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive with Dual Option Backup on Amazon . Click here to Read More
