Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible (USB-A for older systems) – WDBAGF0040BGY-WESN

Storage Capacity, Interface, and SizeSolid State Drives (SSD) are a welcome alternative to older, non-SSD hard drives. This Western Digital (WD) drive, in particular, has features that make it an attractive choice for anyone needing a high capacity USB drive with relatively fast read (1050MB/s) and write (1000MB/s) data transfer rates. The drive is available in four capacities (500GB, 1TB, 2TB, & 4TB) and designed with a native USB-C interface (USB 3.2, Gen-2), and it is supplied with an adapter that allows cross connectivity to legacy USB-A interfaces. These drives are larger than any thumb-size drives, but are smaller when compared to a WD My Passport Ultra Portable Hard Drive (see photo). An important consideration beyond size is the fact that SSD drives will be more durable to accidental drops/impacts that could easily corrupt data on non-SSD hard drives.No Excessive HeatThumb-size (stick) flash drives are criticized for generating heat during read/write processes, but I did not notice a substantial problem when using this drive for everyday data transfers. Some warmth is noted when writing multi-gigabyte files but unnoticeable during read processes. Some heat release is to be expected, but it was not comparable to the higher temperature levels produced by thumb drives. As an added feature, this drive can remain attached at all times to a computer or wireless router without software forcing the drive into a “sleep” mode when not in use.ColorsThese drives are available in five colors, but not all colors are available in all storage capacities. If used for backup data storage, then color coding facilitates the backup rotation process, e.g., red, silver, and blue.Music Storage for a SONOS Wireless Music SystemI use this SSD to store iTunes/Music music files for playback using a SONOS app. After connection to a USB-supporting router, the music library stored on the drive was indexed, and the drive served as a NAS device to allow music playback to every room in the house that has a SONOS speaker.Music playback was responsive and done without unusual delays. As a general note, music playback was operated using SONOS apps on either iPad or Mac systems at various locations within the house.The convenience and performance of this SSD made it an attractive alternative in comparison with “noisy,” mechanical hard drives. Moreover, when portability is necessary, this SSD packs easily for trips to other locations where other SONOS systems are present.Drive capacity choice will depend on music storage needs. I use 2TB drives because these easily store hundreds of music files with substantial room leftover for future music additions. The USB 3.x read transfer rate (estimated at 1050MB/s) eliminated the playback “jitter” that was experienced in the past when using non-SSD, WD drives. Although for comparison accuracy, it should be noted that general data transfers and music playback reliability will be affected by a variety of variables unrelated to the drive itself–notably, all other facets of the wireless network and the physical environment where WiFi data are transmitted.

If you're looking for a portable and reliable storage solution, the WD 1TB My Passport SSD is an excellent option. This external solid state drive offers high-speed data transfer, a compact design, and exceptional durability. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:Pros:Speed - The WD My Passport SSD provides lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 1050MB/s, making it ideal for professionals who need to transfer large files quickly.Durability - This SSD is designed to withstand shock, vibration, and drops of up to 6.5 feet, making it a reliable option for those who are always on-the-go.Compact Design - The My Passport SSD is incredibly slim and compact, making it easy to carry in your pocket, bag, or purse. It's smaller than most smartphones, making it a convenient option for those who need to work or travel light.Compatibility - The drive works with both PC and Mac computers and comes with USB Type-C and Type-A cables for easy connectivity.Security - The My Passport SSD comes with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption to help protect your data.Cons:Price - The WD My Passport SSD is more expensive than traditional hard drives, but it's worth the investment if you need fast and reliable storage.Capacity - While 1TB is a decent amount of storage, it may not be enough for those who require more space for their files.Overall, the WD 1TB My Passport SSD is a high-quality and reliable storage solution that's perfect for those who need fast and portable storage. Its speed, durability, and compact design make it a top choice for professionals and creatives who are always on-the-go. If you're looking for a reliable and efficient external solid state drive, the WD My Passport SSD is definitely worth considering.

Before I begin this review, let me take the time to note that if you're ordering flash drives, SD cards or SSDs online, be sure to run a capacity test on the drive you receive. Many drives for sale are counterfit drives that lie about their capacity. There's a handy little Windows tool called H2TestW.This drive arrived very quickly and was well packaged. I'm still shocked just how tiny this thing is; I know NVME drives (which this is interally) are small, but this is still shocking, it's around 1.5 inches wide, a few inches tall and super thin. The casing feels ridgid and sterdy with no flexing at all. It comes with a very short but still great quallity USB-C cable and a USB-A adapter. Straight away my PC recognized the drive with no issues. Western Digital included some encryption software for Windows and Mac on the drive, but sense I'm not storing anything sensative on here I just removed it. A test with H2TestW confirmed the drive is legitimate and is the advertised capacity. The read and write speeds were insainely fast and responsive, way faster than my mechanical USB hard disk.TLDR: Very compact and fast drive great for any usecase. I've always loved Western Digitals products, and this is yet another one.