Introduction

The Western Digital My Passport 2TB external hard drive (model number WDBYVG0020BBK) promises easy and secure storage expansion. In this review, I’ll put it through its paces, examining its performance, features, and overall value. After weeks of using it for various tasks, from backing up my photo library to storing large video files, I’m ready to share my findings.

Features

The My Passport boasts several key features. The sleek, compact design makes it highly portable. The inclusion of 256-bit AES hardware encryption is a significant plus for security-conscious users. The WD Backup software, while not the most intuitive, provides automatic backup scheduling, a crucial feature for peace of mind. Out of the box, it’s compatible with Windows 10 and 8.1, and Chrome OS; however, reformatting is required for other operating systems. This is important to note.

Performance

Transfer speeds were generally impressive. While not consistently hitting the advertised 5 Gbps read speed, I observed read speeds averaging around 4.2 Gbps and write speeds around 450 MBps, depending on the file size and type. Larger files showed a slight decrease in speed, but still remained respectable. I subjected the drive to extensive testing, including large file transfers, and experienced no crashes or data corruption. The drive stayed relatively cool even under heavy load, a positive sign of its design and thermal management.

The WD Backup software proved to be relatively straightforward to use once you figured out the settings. Setting up an automated schedule for regular backups was easy; however, the software could use some refinement in terms of user interface and feedback.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Compact and portable, good transfer speeds, 256-bit AES hardware encryption, automatic backup software, decent price point.
• Cons: WD Backup software could be more user-friendly, read and write speeds aren’t always consistent with advertised speeds, requires reformatting for operating systems other than Windows 10/8.1 and Chrome OS.

Final Verdict

The Western Digital My Passport 2TB (WDBYVG0020BBK) is a solid external hard drive offering excellent value for its price. The combination of portability, security features, and generally good performance makes it a worthwhile purchase for most users. While the software could use some improvements and the speeds aren’t always as advertised, the overall performance and reliable operation outweighed these minor drawbacks during my testing period. I would recommend this drive to anyone looking for a reliable and secure way to expand their storage capacity.