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Customer Reviews for Western Digital Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Western Digital Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
The sleek modern Western Digital 3TB My Book Essential USB 3.0 External Hard Drive makes it convenient for you to save your digital files easily. This password protection external hard drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. specifications, and offers features such as automatic continuous backup and password protection. This ensures that your private and sensitive data remains safe. The 3TB external hard drive provides you with plenty of storage space for saving your pictures, music, photos and videos.
Average Customer Rating:
4.4
out of 5
(51 Reviews) 33
Rating SnapshotOverall Rating Totals
Customer Recommendation94%48 out of 51reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Rating SnapshotOverall Rating Totals
Customer Reviews
Review 1 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Does what it should do
,12/21/2012
By jaromjm ,
HB, CA
4
out of
5
I am using this External HD with Time machine and it works great.
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
4
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:25 - 34
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 2 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
06/14/2013
By KYARD12314 ,
SARATOGA, NEWYORK
5
out of
5
Review 3 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
So far so good.
,05/29/2013
By Halloitsme ,
San Antonio, TX
4
out of
5
This is not my first WD external. I was still running my old external a 1TB Western Digital, a couple of years old. It has run fine and continues to do so, but I have finally eaten up all the space on it and it was time for something bigger. Transferred all of my files to this one with plenty of room to spare. Very good space for the price paid $155 after taxes with free shipping. As long as this one holds up as well and as long as my last one it is a good deal. This is not a hard drive you want to be transporting around frequently. If you are on the go I would recommend a smaller drive as this one requires a plug in to the wall for power as well as the connection to the pc or laptop itself. If you are going to keep this hard drive sitting in one place I would recommend it.
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
4
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:25 - 34
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
0points
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Review 4 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Extremely Pleased
,05/18/2013
By Hopkins202 ,
Denver, CO
5
out of
5
Great Bang for the Buck! Thanks WD! Great Backup Storage for Large Video Files.
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
0points
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Review 5 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Great value
,04/21/2013
By sulaco ,
DFW area
5
out of
5
Review 6 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
03/29/2013
By backupman33 ,
baltimore
4
out of
5
After Install I wanted to use windows 7 backup utility instead of western digital's and I had conflicts. I searched online and found a solution and now everything works fine.
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:45 - 54
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Once per week
0points
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Review 7 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
03/25/2013
By jchorner ,
Upstate NY
5
out of
5
After 1 month no problems. Delivered via ship to store ahead of estimates.
Product Attributes:
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
0points
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Review 8 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Great value per Gigabyte
,03/04/2013
By gtippitt ,
Knoxville, TN
4
out of
5
I'm using the MyBook with Ubuntu Linux version 12.04. I could not get the drive to work as a boot device because of the way the drive handles 2GB drive limitations. It works fine as a non-boot drive when formatted at EXT4 for Linux.
The drive supports USB 3.0, but my PCs only have USB 2.0. I was afraid it might be slow, but it seems fine. I hooked the drive up locally vis USB to run a full backup of each PC. I then put the drive on the server for my home network. The other PCs on the network do incremental backups to the drive over the network. The server runs MythTV and stores TV programs, photos, and music on the drive. I'm having no problem with USB 2.0 speeds using the drive.
GREAT DEAL !
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
4
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
0points
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Review 9 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Did not work with MS backup until reformatted
,02/16/2013
By Walfy ,
Brookline, OH
2
out of
5
Even though WD marks this drive to be compatible with MS windows, I could not use it for backup. WD formatted the drive to old MSWindows XP, not the newer Vista/7 standard. Unfortunately, I had already been using the drive and had about one week's worth of information stored on the drive. Reformatting, per WD's website, would have wasted alot of time and my money. I wrote to WD about my dissatisfaction. They never wrote back.
I guess they don't care about their customers. Thank goodness there are alternatives. I will never buy Western Digital products again.
Product Attributes:
Value
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations
2
out of
5
Recommends this product? No
Age:35 - 44
Gender:Male
Ownership:3 - 4 months
Usage:A few times per month
0points
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Review 10 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Excellent Drive
,01/24/2013
By JoeSmoo ,
Tampa
5
out of
5
I used it to back up over 400 HD movies.
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:35 - 44
Gender:Male
Ownership:11 - 12 months
Usage:Every few days
+1point
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Review 11 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Good So Far
,01/24/2013
By JedRN ,
Mission, TX
4
out of
5
So far - so good. Wish the instructions would have been in a booklet instead of/in addition to having to look it up in the computer.
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
4
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:65 or older
Gender:Female
Ownership:1 week or less
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 12 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Another Fine product from Western Digital
,01/24/2013
By kaylward ,
Edgewoo, MD
5
out of
5
I purchased one of these units a few weeks ago to free up space on my laptop's solid state hard drive. The solid state drives are lightning fast, but they have limited space, so I needed more storage for my graphic work.
This unit installed flawlessly! That was my first surprise. Every internal drive I've ever installed required flipping DIP switches, formating, and manual file transfer. This unit came pre formatted, software and documentation right on the drive, and adequate instructions for a trained monkey to succeed! All that was required was to plug the unit in, connect the power supply, and turn it on. Then just follow the on-screen instructions, decide how you want to use the unit, and run your first backup. I did an initial update to the software, as included software is always one generation behind. But from there it was painless. I had one question (which I would have known the answer to if I had paid attention), and the support was quick, effective, polite and easy. No problems!
This was the first unit I have connected to my USB 3.0 port, so I was a bit lost here. The included cable has a blue mark inside the connector, as does your computer, if you have one. The documentation did say anything about that . . . on the box or otherwise. But blue to blue does equal USB 3.0, and lightning fast transfer rates. I was able to transfer over 175Gb in just over 20 minutes. Anyone who has worked with large file transfers knows that these speeds just don't happen on USB 2.0. This is a real timesaver. The unit is also extremely quiet. No more sounds of jet engines firing up to transfer files. And it goes into sleep mode to conserve energy when not used for a time. Wake up is quick, quiet and seamless when it is needed.
Western digital includes flexibility in the installation too. You can install it 3 different ways: With the included automatic software that does everything for you, as a free unit that you control completely that requires downloading a free software pack to keep the unit from reinstalling each time you turn on your computer, and the third falls someplace in between. I didn't delve into the other two methods, as the included software does what I want. It also allow me to use Explorer to manually create file folders, and do manual storage of files completely separate from the automatic system. I liked this feature, as I don't have to do a restore to access the files I am routinely working with. It just acts like any other hard drive on the computer when needed.
If you ever need to do a "Restore", they give you the option to restore from the automatic file system either to the original location, or a special file folder on your hard drive. Very useful, if you have added a lot of work since the backup was made. It will also allow for 5 completely different backup groups, so you can keep old footprints of your work. Never know when that revision from the beggining of the project turns out to be the one the customer wanted all along!
I know 3Tb seems like a lot today, but Western Digital likes to think ahead. The software allows for control of up to 3 of these drives. When I bought my first Pentium 100, it came with a HUGE 1Gb hard drive, and everyone thought I was nuts to buy that much storage space. Now my new computer could not even load the operating system with so limited an amount of RAM, much less hard drive space. Always good to think ahead.
All in all. . . This is a great little drive! Takes up hardly any space, it's easy to use, has gobs of storage capacity, makes hardly any noise, and I doubt it even uses much energy with the green features.
Go ahead and get one!
This unit installed flawlessly! That was my first surprise. Every internal drive I've ever installed required flipping DIP switches, formating, and manual file transfer. This unit came pre formatted, software and documentation right on the drive, and adequate instructions for a trained monkey to succeed! All that was required was to plug the unit in, connect the power supply, and turn it on. Then just follow the on-screen instructions, decide how you want to use the unit, and run your first backup. I did an initial update to the software, as included software is always one generation behind. But from there it was painless. I had one question (which I would have known the answer to if I had paid attention), and the support was quick, effective, polite and easy. No problems!
This was the first unit I have connected to my USB 3.0 port, so I was a bit lost here. The included cable has a blue mark inside the connector, as does your computer, if you have one. The documentation did say anything about that . . . on the box or otherwise. But blue to blue does equal USB 3.0, and lightning fast transfer rates. I was able to transfer over 175Gb in just over 20 minutes. Anyone who has worked with large file transfers knows that these speeds just don't happen on USB 2.0. This is a real timesaver. The unit is also extremely quiet. No more sounds of jet engines firing up to transfer files. And it goes into sleep mode to conserve energy when not used for a time. Wake up is quick, quiet and seamless when it is needed.
Western digital includes flexibility in the installation too. You can install it 3 different ways: With the included automatic software that does everything for you, as a free unit that you control completely that requires downloading a free software pack to keep the unit from reinstalling each time you turn on your computer, and the third falls someplace in between. I didn't delve into the other two methods, as the included software does what I want. It also allow me to use Explorer to manually create file folders, and do manual storage of files completely separate from the automatic system. I liked this feature, as I don't have to do a restore to access the files I am routinely working with. It just acts like any other hard drive on the computer when needed.
If you ever need to do a "Restore", they give you the option to restore from the automatic file system either to the original location, or a special file folder on your hard drive. Very useful, if you have added a lot of work since the backup was made. It will also allow for 5 completely different backup groups, so you can keep old footprints of your work. Never know when that revision from the beggining of the project turns out to be the one the customer wanted all along!
I know 3Tb seems like a lot today, but Western Digital likes to think ahead. The software allows for control of up to 3 of these drives. When I bought my first Pentium 100, it came with a HUGE 1Gb hard drive, and everyone thought I was nuts to buy that much storage space. Now my new computer could not even load the operating system with so limited an amount of RAM, much less hard drive space. Always good to think ahead.
All in all. . . This is a great little drive! Takes up hardly any space, it's easy to use, has gobs of storage capacity, makes hardly any noise, and I doubt it even uses much energy with the green features.
Go ahead and get one!
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Good Buy
,01/23/2013
By ftswar ,
Willowick, Oh
5
out of
5
This is a very good buy. If you want to get savvy you can delete all the WD stuff it comes preloaded with and hook it up to a netgear WIFI router with USB 3.0 ports (sold here on walmart.com e.g netgear) and have an ultra fast / ultra cheap personal data cloud for your entire house. Whatever your endgame is just make sure you have or can get a USB 3.0 interface to plug it into, the speed difference is jaw dropping. In other words "Great Buy!".
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:35 - 44
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 14 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
12/28/2012
By diy41 ,
Wears Valley, TN
5
out of
5
Just plug it in and it does everything all by its' lonesome. Once it is loaded and online, there are variety of things you can do with it. Bunch of storage space in one unit that can be transferred from one machine to another.
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:65 or older
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 3 months
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 15 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
works 'sometimes'
,12/20/2012
By jtwals ,
ocean city md
1
out of
5
some times it will work - most of the time I have to keep installing it. I will not trust my important files to this storage. Very slow transfering data. (USB 2)
Product Attributes:
Value
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations
1
out of
5
Recommends this product? No
Age:65 or older
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
-3points
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Review 16 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Awesome External HD
,10/31/2012
By TheRev8 ,
Marion, VA
5
out of
5
Moved all video, music, and photos from my C: drive over to the 3TB drive which freed up 50% of my C: drive. Recording and taking photos of my grandkids sporting events means thousands of clips and photos and here is what's awesome...this thing used very little of its space to do so. Very happy with this purchase.
Product Attributes:
Value
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 17 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
10/06/2012
By JRVI ,
USVI
5
out of
5
Excellent product, the file security when disconnected is a very good feature
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:65 or older
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 18 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Fast and Economical Backup Solution.
,09/01/2012
By PerfesserBear ,
Eastern Connecticut
5
out of
5
My 1 TB HP external hard drive went up in smoke less than two years after I bought it. That is to say, the USB adapter in the case went south -- the drive itself kept on cranking, after I hooked it up with a Frankenstein cable gizmo most hackers would have handy. Before I came to the (now) obvious solution of replacing the HP's case, I'd already ordered the Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive from Walmart. They had the best price and quick, free, Site to Store delivery.
Why Western Digital? As a professional geek (my degree says I'm a Computer Scientist) I've spent far too much of my life trying to save data on dying hard drives -- usually other people's data. Many of those failing drives have been made by one or another of the companies that became S__g_t_. In fact, one of THEIR drives failed in my laptop last month -- (growl). So far in my life, I have had one (count 'em, 1) Western Digital hard drive fail. It was a 500GB 'My Book' in the cords of which one of our dogs kept getting himself tangled. It hit the floor one time too many (an event probably in the double digits) and it finally failed due to compound concussions. I replaced my backup drive with the new 3TB USB 3 Western Digital My Book (and the laptop hard drive with a new WD 500 GB -- but that's another review).
My 2-1/2-year-old HP laptop didn't have USB 3.0. No problem -- the new drive is backward compatible with USB 2.0 computers -- the cable works fine. It was still screamin' fast, but it could do better. I ordered it with the SIIG SuperSpeed USB 3.0 2-Port ExpressCard Adapter -- once that came in, it REALLY started to scream. I shoot a lot of photographs with a digital SLR camera, and I use the 'RAW' format to store more complete picture data. Those files are HUGE -- 20 MB or more each -- and remember that an old floppy disk only holds 1.44 MB. The WD My Book 3TB USB 3.0 roared through backing up my photo directories in short time.
Do you really need a back-up hard drive? Ask yourself if you have anything on your computer you can't easily replace. Kid pictures, tax records, downloaded music (which I'm SURE you paid for), work-related files, and/or saved video games. Do you trust your computer's hard drive to survive mechanical breakdown, electronic failure, lightning damage and viruses? I trusted S__g_t_ and they failed me.
I still trust Western Digital, and I think you should, too.
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+16points
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Review 19 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Name brand product at a Walmart price!
,08/22/2012
By theothername ,
Spooner, WI
5
out of
5
I was very happy to find the My Book at a great price!
Product Attributes:
Value
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:45 - 54
Gender:Female
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:Every day
+1point
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Review 20 for Western Digital My Book Essentials 3TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
PIECE OF TRASH
,08/08/2012
By an anonymous customer ,
Texas
1
out of
5
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!. Transfer a lot of information to this hd. Booted my computer and now it doesn't work and my information is all GONE!. Not the first from Western Digital. Bought several HDs from WD and had similar problems. WDs sound very cheap. But it is what it is: TRASH. This sure will be my last. DO NOT BUY FROM WESTERN DIGITAL!
Product Attributes:
Value
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations
1
out of
5
Recommends this product? No
Age:25 - 34
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 3 months
Usage:Every day
-7points
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