WD Elements SE 1TB Portable External HDD - Black

A few years back I bought three of this model's predecessor, the HGST Touro Mobile 1TB, which is a Western Digital brand (although made by Hitachi it seems), and they are still going very well. I needed a fourth external USB 1TB drive, so I bought one of these WD Elements SE's. It soon died and had to be sent back. It was quickly replaced by PB Tech (thank you, guys), and although its replacement does work, its transfer-rate is only about half that of the older HGST drives so backups take twice as long. The HGST's run at about 21MB/sec; the WD Elements starts at about 15MB/sec and steadily slows to about 9MB/sec. The backup software is the...view more A few years back I bought three of this model's predecessor, the HGST Touro Mobile 1TB, which is a Western Digital brand (although made by Hitachi it seems), and they are still going very well. I needed a fourth external USB 1TB drive, so I bought one of these WD Elements SE's. It soon died and had to be sent back. It was quickly replaced by PB Tech (thank you, guys), and although its replacement does work, its transfer-rate is only about half that of the older HGST drives so backups take twice as long. The HGST's run at about 21MB/sec; the WD Elements starts at about 15MB/sec and steadily slows to about 9MB/sec. The backup software is the same, the USB port being used is the same, but the transfer rate is slower and gets even slower as the backup proceeds. That is weird--and no amount of defragging of the source or reformatting of the destination has any effect. Therefore this drive cannot be recommended. I chose WD in its HGST guise because the staffer at PB Tech said WD is more reliable than Seagate, but I am inclined to choose Seagate next time. I would be keen to test a Seagate if it did not mean shelling out $$$s...

Received as ordered and quickly available for pickup. Thanks. Received as ordered and quickly available for pickup. Thanks.

Seems to do the job. Happy with my purchase Seems to do the job. Happy with my purchase

It's always a good idea to get a spare HDD. Good cheap alternative for the Xbox to store games on. It's always a good idea to get a spare HDD. Good cheap alternative for the Xbox to store games on.

Quick and easy transaction. Quick and easy transaction.

Great price and does what it should Great price and does what it should

Easy to use and store items. Sits nicely next to laptop on table. Easy to use and store items. Sits nicely next to laptop on table.

By: BarbS9 07/09/23

Verified Owner

Handy to have, I have purchased two at a good price, one for back up. Small and compact doesn't take up much space which is good when traveling. Have not had any issues so far. I would recommend for general storage and backing up files. Also doubles as an external HD for gaming. More storage options to suit your requirements, 2TB,4TB etc. Handy to have, I have purchased two at a good price, one for back up. Small and compact doesn't take up much space which is good when traveling. Have not had any issues so far. I would recommend for general storage and backing up files. Also doubles as an external HD for gaming. More storage options to suit your requirements, 2TB,4TB etc.

This hard drive was specified as plug and go. It needed formating and resetting before we could save anything to the hard drive. Bit difficult for the someone who may not be tech savvy. This hard drive was specified as plug and go. It needed formating and resetting before we could save anything to the hard drive. Bit difficult for the someone who may not be tech savvy.

well priced hard drive that does what it should! recommended to all. well priced hard drive that does what it should! recommended to all.

Was pretty cheap compared to other ones we saw and it works well and isn't too bulky Was pretty cheap compared to other ones we saw and it works well and isn't too bulky

For some there is a need for extra working storage space as their working PC may have a small main drive. For others there is a need for sizeable archiving capacity.
Or maybe it's both.
This product is not expensive, it's reliable and easy to use. That makes it ideal for such essential roles. For some there is a need for extra working storage space as their working PC may have a small main drive. For others there is a need for sizeable archiving capacity.
Or maybe it's both.
This product is not expensive, it's reliable and easy to use. That makes it ideal for such essential roles.