Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Western Digital ’s latestMy Passport Studiohas a solid anatomy and multiple connections , but dull transfer speeds and a preinstalled security app hamstring tendon an otherwise decent drive .
Unlike theMy Passport Essential ’s ( ) plastic outside , the My Passport Studio is made from anodized aluminum with a black font and ash grey edges , giving it both a durable build and professional feel . The campaign weigh 0.75 pounds , which does n’t sound like a lot , but it feels tough when you book it in your helping hand .
The drive has a USB 2.0 port and two FireWire 800 embrasure , and with a tiny activity spark . The My Passport Studio come preformatted for the Mac , so there ’s no need to reformat it . You get the necessary cables ( though no FireWire 800 to FireWire 400 cable system ) , along with a Quick Install guide and warranty information . A full digital interlingual rendition of the substance abuser ’s manual is included on the drive itself , or you candownloadit from Western Digital ’s site .
We test the 1 TB version , but WD sells a 500 GB version for $ 170 and a 750 GB drive for $ 200 .
In every test we conducted , the My Passport Studio ’s USB 2.0 transferral speeds were a bit on the tedious side compared to similar drive . It sack up 28.6MBps in our 2 GB folder write mental test and 31.3.MBps in our 2 GB filing cabinet write test over USB 2.0 . In line , the G - Drive Mobile ( ) , a USB 2.0 / FireWire 800 portable effort released over a year ago , obtained 30.8MBps in the 2 GB folder write test and 31.7MBps in the 2GBfile write tryout . The My Passport Studio finished our miserable - memory Photoshop mental testing in 90 seconds , one of the dull times among the portable difficult drives we ’ve tested .
The driveway faired slimly better over FireWire 800 , where it send 55.8MBps in the 2 GB brochure drop a line examination and 67.1MBps in the 2 GB file write test . It also completed the Photoshop test in 64 seconds . compare to other FireWire portable drive we ’ve tested , the transfer rates were more middle - of - the - road , and the Photoshop time was sluggish , unable to surpass other drives . That ’s too sorry , since the drive is market to creative professional , who generally need as much speed for their projection as they can get .
Macworld’s buying advice
The My Passport Studio looks full and is overall a becoming drive . But it lags in the stop number section and has a security app that does n’t disappear without intervention .
