Western Digital WDC 3200BMV Passport external 250 gig USB hard drive Review

Computer Crashes Make You Smart
We say we'll backup, we mean to backup, but for many of us, the only time we ever really DO is after we have a total loss of data, or a near miss.   I've had both.    So now I'm a faithful backer-upper, and think there's no better or easier way than an external hard drive.

I have a drawer full of Flash Drives, but they are so small, they're easy to lose.  That makes me nervous.  Plus none of them can hold all the stuff I need to store:  jillions of photos and documents for my work as a writer.    An external hard drive gives you everything:  a safe place to put ALL your stuff, a portable device that's compatible with any hotel computer when you're on the road and don't want to lug your own, and an easy, failproof hurricane plan for securing data during evacuation.   WOO HOO! 

I found Western Digital's 320 gig Passport at Costco
I could have spent less, perhaps, but I needed an external hard drive and generally trust the pricing at Costco, so didn't bother to comparison shop.  I like the small size of the Passport (the same size, amazingly, as a real passport......is it coincidence? LOL)   and the nifty carrying case that came with it.   One simple USB cord was all it needed.   Straightforward and simple, just the way I like my computer stuff.   Life is complicated enough!   I plunked down $110 and went on my merry way.   By that night, I had downloaded about 10,000 pictures to my new Passport and went to bed feeling safe and secure from the viral boogeyman. 

Silver versus Brown
Costco may have made a deal for the uglier Passports.  My is a dull brown - not sexy at all - and I see online that WD has all shiny silver ones, now.   Design-centric buyers will want to shop online for sure.

Libby's Hot Tip:  The passport generates access to a 30-day free trial for a service which allows one to post documents and photos "out there" for file sharing, but I had just subscribed to Apple's MobileMe, so bypassed this option.  I'll be curious to read how others like this service.  In the meantime, my Passport is all I need.  

The Bottom Line:  Libby Loves It!