Does anyone out there use a Western Digital external hard drive?
Apr 24, 2018 07:21:25 #
I have four WD portable drives. I have two 1TB drives(one for document files and the other for JPG's). I also have a 3TB drive I use for my RAW files and a 4TB drive that I use to back up everything. I currently use a PC with Windows 10 but I formatted these drives EXFAT, so that when I switch to a MAC, I will be able to access my files on that computer as well.
Apr 24, 2018 07:34:59 #
Apr 24, 2018 07:47:08 #
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
WD is a top brand. The come in model names with colors. Black is very good. Another good choice is HGST Ultrastar. It's an enterprise drive, designed for 24/7 use. You can get a 3TB drive (refurbished) for $56. I've been using two or three for several years.
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HGST+Ultrastar
I have two externals as a backup. If you have to rely on your backup drive, and that fails, you have nothing.
Apr 24, 2018 07:50:44 #
Yes, I bought one at Costco years ago and load up my photos once a month to it and it still works fine. Many have complained of failures and I think it may have been caused by leaving the device plugged into the computer all the time as it's disk is spinning whenever it is plugged in.
Apr 24, 2018 07:52:57 #
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
I have 2. Both are old and work just fine!
Apr 24, 2018 08:12:05 #
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
Red, Blue, Green, Black.
Apr 24, 2018 08:12:35 #
awis01 wrote:
I use them. They are the only brand I own. I have 3. Never had a problem.
Me, too. And I have 5.
Apr 24, 2018 08:13:14 #
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
I have 5 connected to my computer. I have owned many WDs and a few others.
If you buy an external WD, make sure it runs at 7200 RPM. Certain models of the WDs only run at 5400 RPM. It makes a difference when you go to save many files or large files.
You might save some money if you bought an internal drive and an enclosure. The enclosures run between $20-$30 & are easy to use.
Whatever you buy, stay away from Seagate.
Apr 24, 2018 08:15:20 #
nimbushopper wrote:
Yes, I bought one at Costco years ago and load up my photos once a month to it and it still works fine. Many have complained of failures and I think it may have been caused by leaving the device plugged into the computer all the time as it's disk is spinning whenever it is plugged in.
All 5 of my external WDs are always on and plugged into my computer. Been like that for at least 4 years or more. No problems.
Apr 24, 2018 08:15:49 #
It is not the only brand I use but have never had a problem with one of them.
Apr 24, 2018 08:17:25 #
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
I have 6,of Various sizes and configurations.
Apr 24, 2018 08:17:29 #
Paulco2 wrote:
...I really don't think there is a quality difference between the major brands.
The data would suggest otherwise: https://www.backblaze.com/blog/hard-drive-failure-rates-q3-2017/
Apr 24, 2018 08:18:57 #
Retina
Loc: Near Charleston,SC
TriX wrote:
Pay attention to which WD class drive is inside th... (show quote)
If I may concur, for consumer hard disks and in general, the higher the capacity, the smaller the margins of safety in how they operate. Manufacturers could make drives two or three times their current maximum sizes but the failure rates would be excessive. The largest drives are attractive, but to me they are scary since by their nature operate on the edge of commercially acceptable failure rates. Also, how you treat an electro-mechanical drive will factor into its lifespan. Cool, undisturbed, and using clean power is the ideal.
As with cameras, anecdotal evidence about which brands "never had a problem" is nice but is not a good basis for predicting failures. I would rather hear about failures that resulted in no losses with either hard disks or solid state thanks to a working redundancy plan.
Apr 24, 2018 08:23:57 #
I use one too. Before purchase I had asked for advise from UHH and got plenty which was much appreciated. One of the advice was better to purchase two of 2TB each so that you can have back up copies. I bought one and still haven't got around to purchasing another yet...more expensive in the UK.
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
Apr 24, 2018 08:24:16 #
steve_stoneblossom
Loc: Rhode Island, USA
julian.gang wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Western Digital 4TB external portable hard drive to hold all of my photographs. If you have input on this subject, let me know...Julian
Backblaze uses and tests a multitude of XHDs, and makes available the results. Reliability can vary widely not only by manufacturer, but by size and type by the same maker.
https://www.backblaze.com/blog/hard-drive-stats-for-2017/
Oops... I guess TriX is a bit faster than I.
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