Customer Reviews:
 Caution to desktop users. November 3, 2007
I bought this to use as an external backup drive for my desktop computer. It's very plug-and-play, so it needs no setup time--just plug it in and it's ready to go in an instant. Drawbacks are that the USB cable is extremely short--only about 8 inches long, and there's no on/off switch. The short cable might be fine with laptops, but is a problem for my tower. I ordered a longer cable ($9 direct from the manufacturer), but the longest one still is only 21 inches long. The lack of an on/off switch means I have to tie up a front USB port (the rear ones are too inconvenient to reach) if I only want it running occasionally.
 Proceed with caution (replace the cable and don't rule out an iPod) October 28, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm replacing the 60 GB Western Digital drive, which inexplicably is currently priced higher than this 80 GB model (perhaps because it has the highest consumer ratings of all the WD USB-powered drives). I'm going with the 80 GB model this time, after a bad experience with the 60 GB model.
First of all, I've learned my lesson. If you plan to move this around a lot, get a soft case for it and handle it with care. I dropped mine (from about 5 feet), and it caused the female contact inside the drive to retract and become inaccessible. It's a long story, but the misfortune would not have occurred if Western Digital simply supplied a longer cable with the drive. The one that comes with the 60 GB model is 6" (I'll resist the sexual metaphors) and, since the 80 GB model is exactly the same weight and dimensions, I would expect its cable to be the same length. That's simply an impractical, unworkable length, expecially when you consider how most notebook computers are used. 12", maybe 18", would be optimal. Better too long than too short. So besides the protective padded case, plan on picking up a longer cable.
As for functionality, the drive performed flawlessly, a no-brainer for Mac-users, since no installation discs are required. But if durability is a major concern, if you're prone to "throw" things in your briefcase and toss your briefcase into the car, you may wish to take a look at the comparable Toshiba. A few bucks more and larger in dimensions, but it just "looks" tougher and more shock-resistant.
The Western Digital cable has a USB connector at the computer end and one of those tiny and insecure camera connectors (not sure what they're called) at the other end. I can see the reason for something so small and potentially problematic for a Canon Elph, but why can't it be a more substantial and solid connector for a storage drive? In fact, you may wish to consider (as am I) the largest capacity iPod, which uses a wide, lock-in connector at the drive end and can even exchange information with the computer via a convenient dock.
 Bought a seond one! September 27, 2007
This is a good product. I now own two of them. Easy to set up and use.
Slim and portable but.. September 22, 2007
It took me a while to figure our how this thing works.
It was expecting it to work more like a usb drive, but it had a wierd program that wasn't so clear cut.
Besides that it is all fine
Size doesn't always matter. August 31, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For the price, small form-factor (approx. 3" x 5" x 0.5"), convenience (no external power needed), and the cool blue LED - this drive is a true gem. I didn't use the software that came with it. I archived it (you never know), then reformatted the drive with NTFS (it comes FAT formatted). It would have been real cool if it had a built-in retractable USB cable (one less thing to worry about losing).
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