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    Western Digital's New 750GB and 1TB Notebook HDD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by darklich, Oct 15, 2009.

  1. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

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    Just in case anyone ( with an allowance for 12.5mm drives) is considering upgrading their hard drives to the new Western Digital 750GB or 1TB versions, please note that you'll need to buy the version that is sold without an external case. I bought a couple of 750s from Amazon thinking that I could take out the drives for the notebook and use the WD casing for external backups. Well, WD has decided to use a circuit board that connects directly to the micro USB, therefore, there is no SATA interface to connect them to the notebook. I'm going to keep the one that I opened, just cause I don't think Amazon will take it back, but the other one is going back for sure.

    Also, I'm not sure if the bare HDD has the WD SmartWare that loads as a separate CD drive and is unremovable even after format. It takes up about 500MB and is stupid.

    As a plus, the casing is much smaller then the previous versions and it is quite nice. The drive itself is also quiet.

    Lastly, why WD decided to use micro USB is beyond me. It's flimsy and they force you to use the supplied cable.

    Don't buy this: http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Essen...5581673&sr=8-2

    Buy this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136414
     
    darklich, Oct 15, 2009
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yeah I think this came up a few weeks ago when they were first released, someone posted that you couldn't use the external version b/c of the miniUSB thing. Too bad.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 15, 2009
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  3. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    It's really lousy of them having the mini USB integrated into the circuit board of the drive. I mean, the thrill of taking the drive out of the case and doing your own thing.. They're taking the fun away..
     
    namaiki, Oct 15, 2009
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  4. jeffyhui88

    jeffyhui88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hopefully they will not do the same when the 1TB 9.5mm height comes out. I have been buying thier 250GB and 500GB WD passports and it works flawlessly in my notebook. Otherwise I just have to change to another brand.
     
    jeffyhui88, Oct 15, 2009
    #4