What is "Essential"? I'm curious what the major differences are between this "Essential" model and the previous version, other than the new case. Are rotation speeds the same? Same USB hardware? Transfer speeds? What is "Essential"? I'm curious what the major differences are between this "Essential" model and the previous version, other than the new case. Are rotation speeds the... » Read More What is "Essential"? I'm curious what the major differences are between this "Essential" model and the previous version, other than the new case. Are rotation speeds the same? Same USB hardware? Transfer speeds? « Show Less
476512
Looks like it may only have a 2MB Buffer size compared with the larger 8MB size in the Passport Elite...Also doesn't come with some extra software bundles.
476513
Strangely, I've noticed no difference in transfer speeds between them. To me that means that the smaller buffer isn't the weakest link in the transfer.They also removed the blue circular status light from the front of the drive and now it lights up by the USB port.Both 5200 RPM as far as I know. I think the Elite has the slightly faster drives and more buffer size.
476514
WD only makes two versions of the 320gb in 2.5"7200 rpm with a 16mb buffer and a5400 rpm with a 8mb bufferamazon has this as a 5400 rpm drive with a 16mb buffer, so who made the mistake?
476515
OK, your post really makes me confused. I guess I have to investigate further. But I suppose that would explain why the transfer speeds are so close.The product detail on one of the pages did say 2 MB so I think that's where the confusion came from.
476516
essential means simply only usb 2.0world edition has usb 2.0, sometimes 2 usb slots, ethernet slot, and sometimes firewire. this gives you alot of options on how to connect it. with the ethernet slot, you can plug it into router and have all of your computers access it easily and even remotely. so if you on vacation and you have your laptop. you could send your pictures back to your drive at home easily, in case something happened to your laptop or memory card.
476517
This external hard drive contains a SATA-2 5400 rpm hard drive with a 8mb buffer.I would tell you the model number but it gets deleted when I post it.I would tell you how I know for sure but that gets deleted also.So in other words you just need to use your noodle and seek out the info you need; there are ways but this will probably get deleted to so what's the point in all of this?PS I Bought this thing and I have hands on experience with it!
1327857
I don't know the difference between the two--only that one is a newer model than the other. You should research the model numbers.
910446
Initially, I bought this TB case because my MacBookPro doesn't have TB or USB3 ports.Now...Drive speed is important, but it is not the most.See those articles: http://www.itpro.co.uk/storage/22740/usb-vs-thunderbolt-which-is-betterhttp://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/382882/which-external-hard-drive-usb-3-or-thunderboltTB beat USB3, but not with a long advance.You may consider : file size, number of daisy chain devices, 4k monitors or not, budget.If you have extra internal HDD, you may buy an USB3 external casing.SSD beat HDD on speed, but HDD beat SSD on capacity.Depends of your needs. Initially, I bought this TB case because my MacBookPro doesn't have TB or USB3 ports.Now...Drive speed is important, but it is not the most.See those articles: http://www.itpro.co.uk/storage/22740/usb-vs-thunderbolt-which-is-betterhttp://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/382882/which-external-hard-drive-usb-3-or-thunderboltTB beat USB3, but not with a long advance.You may consider : file size, number of daisy chain devices, 4k monitors or not, budget.If you have extra internal HDD, you may buy an USB3... » Read More Initially, I bought this TB case because my MacBookPro doesn't have TB or USB3 ports.Now...Drive speed is important, but it is not the most.See those articles: http://www.itpro.co.uk/storage/22740/usb-vs-thunderbolt-which-is-betterhttp://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/382882/which-external-hard-drive-usb-3-or-thunderboltTB beat USB3, but not with a long advance.You may consider : file size, number of daisy chain devices, 4k monitors or not, budget.If you have extra internal HDD, you may buy an USB3 external casing.SSD beat HDD on speed, but HDD beat SSD on capacity.Depends of your needs. « Show Less
2251383
This case has a built in front USB 3.0 and 2.0 port. USB 3.0 is suppose to be up to 10 times faster and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0. However, 3.0 requires USB 3.0 capable devices to take advantage of the increased transfer speeds.There is a cable in the case that runs from the front port that you would be able to plug into the motherboard to connect the port.
190234
Based on when this was introducer, I doubt it's USB 3. If your internal storage is either flash or SD, it really doesn't make much difference whether you have USB 2 or USB 3 port speed - the storage element write speed will be the gateing item.
489983
I don't know anything about the older version so I can't help you, sorry. New is good?
95935
B. Meerdink, neither of the two information you brought are backed by the links you posted.I've been searching the internet for the same info D. Wong wants, I'm about sure there is no document on WD's website that will state which is the internal drive interface of "My Passport Essential" products. This is something only reviewers who have opened their "My Passport Essential" drives can tell us. Do you happen to own one of those? Have you opened it up?? Has anyone out there?
1800852
Another internal should generally be faster, as it's not hindered by USB speeds. But whatever burns put your main drive is likely to kill the secondary drive,too. The external is good for portability, but tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to a internal drive. ( That's why people say "mine has lasted over a whole year now". My current HDD is over 4 years old now.
1375206
The V1 work very well for me, faster download and have 2 USB ports 2.0 (important to update firmware version when installing the V1). I understand that the V2 different is that the second USB port is 3.0
1748010
Like the title says...USB 2.0...is high speed port...just not as fast as the new USB 3.0. My computer only had 1, USB 1.0 port, I thought this would bring it up to speed, but I could not get the software to work with my very old Gateway laptop, so returned it. It also requires a different USB cable as these are very thin plugs.
1190421
It's slower being it's usb 2.0. I don't know what the benchmark numbers for usb 3.0 but I would assume it's quite a bit faster. I had need of the older legacy 2.0 and the price was right for me.
924024
BIG difference, new model doesn't bring * AC Adapter * 2 GB SD Card * Windscreen * Mic Clip Adapter * USB Cable the new model just brings,Protective Case Download for Steinberg Wavelab LE Software Download for Steinberg Cubase LE Software Regards, Juan Antunez Videoscope Inc.
199587
Thunderbolt is the newer Apple/Mac standard, and is supposed to be faster. Fewer Thunderbolt-ready devices available though. I have the firewire version of the HD, and it is a huge speed increase over USB.
1703918
It'll just be the USB 2.0 device that runs at the 2.0 speed. Your 3.0 devices will still run at 3.0 speeds. BUT take note of any bottleknecks! If your computer doesn't support 3.0 or you don't use a 3.0 port, you will not get 3.0 speeds! Also, something like transferring a file from a 2.0 ext HDD to a 3.0 ext HDD will only operate at 2.0 speeds max.
1708120
One difference I can say is that this laptop has an integrated disk drive and with the new one you have to have the external drive. I like the integrated!!
1431609
Thanks so much for your replies! It seems Amazon is shipping the old version, but it's fine and better yet, the price is good. thanks again!
826142
Yeah, those seem to be the major differences. The non-user-replaceable battery on the new View sucks though...that was one nice feature about the e200 series (as oposed to iPods) and seemed to make complete sense. I have had to use firmware update on my V1 e260 to recover from a crash and it was pretty seamless and I lost no data. V2, I believe, does not support the "recovery mode" firmware update. I have no idea what the parameters of the View are regarding this. Maybe it just never crashes! (not likely...) Other thing is the better stats on the microSD expansion slot...now up to 8 gigs (wow!) and using microSCHC. That's 16 gigs total without a hard-drive. Awesome! I have found, after some initial frustration and confusion with the expansion slot on my e260, that I just never put it in MSC (Mass Storage Class) mode and ALWAYS use it in MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode. I found moving files with Windows Explorer pretty glitchy in MSC mode. (Windows iExplorer would freeze up or get very strange-acting) Now, I just pull the microSD card, stick in into card reader on my computer (with the full-SD-size adapter) and add files like it was a pen drive. Perfect for podcasts which you switch in and out frequently and perfect for loading stuff for a trip. You could have a second card for you wife's/gf's music or podcasts as well and just swap it out without a Windows session. It DOES mean a much longer boot-up (really "refresh data" after the initial normal bootup...) but I think it's worth it for the flexibility of adding and deleting files so easily. You can always just remove the microSD and not deal with the "refresh-data" wait if you get sick of it. 8 gb of microSD would be nice though! Also, I'd like to hear some objective feedback regarding the sound quality of normal audio with the View as compared to the e280. Is is MUCH better? The e280 has become so inexpensive I may just go for that and wait out the View for another year or two.