Why Buy a Portable Hard Disk?
There are several reasons to consider purchasing a portable hard disk, especially if you're prone to computer issues like the dreaded blue screen of death. Without an extended warranty, the fear of losing all your data when your computer crashes can be unsettling. Having a portable hard disk for storing important files seems like a safer bet. Of course, there's always a chance that even the external drive could fail, but it’s still worth having as a backup.
I remember when my teacher needed to record lectures and store them, she bought a WD My Passport Ultra (referred to as MPU hereafter). When she tried transferring over 10GB of lecture content, the hard drive took more than 10 seconds. Honestly, it had been years since I last used a portable hard drive, and the last time I did, it was painfully slow—transferring 10GB took around 15 minutes. This made me realize how crucial it is to have a fast and reliable external storage device on hand.
When it came to choosing a model, I immediately thought of the MPU that my teacher’s friend recommended. There wasn’t much comparison to be done, as the new version was just released and promised social data backup features at a similar price point. Naturally, I was curious about the latest 2017 model.
Western Digital (WD) My Passport Ultra 2TB 2.5-inch Charm Black Hard Drive WDBFKT0020BGY-CESN - 729 yuan on Jingdong.
Unboxing Experience
The WD My Passport Ultra arrived in a simple package, which didn't include any protective cover. I was a bit disappointed, so I reached out to customer service for recommendations. They suggested a protective cover for nearly 20 yuan. Additionally, I managed to use a 500-100 coupon on Jingdong, bringing the total down to around 660 yuan. As a JD Plus member, I ended up paying a total of 668.9 + 139 yuan. Effectively, this meant I paid an extra 100 yuan to get a membership. It’s somewhat regrettable that my free trial period expired before I could take full advantage of the benefits.
Opening the package revealed a strong plastic smell, indicating a drop in packaging quality compared to previous models. The lack of any protective measures was disappointing, and I found myself wishing for additional packaging protection. Fortunately, the hard disk itself seemed sturdy enough, but the protective seal was a bit sticky, making it feel like it had been carelessly thrown into the box.
Inside, there was a transparent SD card layer that could be useful for future repackaging, allowing me to store small items like USB drives or memory cards.
Unboxing the Portable Hard Disk
The hard disk itself came from Thailand. The country of origin gave me a slight uneasy feeling, but I decided to give it a try anyway. The packaging was straightforward, with a clear plastic seal that was easy to remove. Pushing the two small tabs on the top allowed me to easily access the drive.
The exterior of the hard disk is made of a combination of plastic and metal, which unfortunately tends to collect fingerprints quite easily. A quick wipe with a tissue paper helped clean it up.
The device weighs a bit more than expected, feeling heavier than two iPhone 6s combined. It’s not overly light, but still manageable. The new model offers four different storage capacities, with varying thicknesses depending on the size. All models feature a USB 3.0 interface.
On the bottom side, there’s a non-slip mat, though it feels a bit tacky and can be peeled off. It would have been nice to see something more like the small circular pads used under laptops.
The LED light turns on once connected to the computer, which is useful for those who need to prepare for backups. The fingerprint smudges were noticeable, but they cleaned up easily.
User Experience
Unfortunately, due to file size limitations, screenshots couldn't be uploaded. The software accompanying the WD My Passport Ultra includes WD Discovery and WD Backup, which allows users to back up their data to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. It also supports AES-256 hardware encryption for added security.
Overall Thoughts
This is my first experience with a portable hard disk, and while it’s not perfect, it serves its purpose well. The WD brand has its fans and critics, but personally, I appreciate the automatic backup features and overall reliability.
Pros:
- Reliable automatic backup and security features.
- Well-designed for ease of use.
Cons:
- Fingerprints tend to accumulate quickly.
- No protective cover or silicone sleeve included.
As for pricing, it aligns with previous models. If you’re interested in this style, it’s worth considering, especially if you prefer purchasing new electronics rather than older models. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and needs.
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