Earlier today, I wrote about Western Digital redesigning the My Book series and congratulated it on a job well done. Well, time for us to take our hats off yet again since WD has also redesigned the My Passport Essential drives. And as with the My Book series, I'm not only talking about them being 20 percent smaller than the older My Passport series but also featuring some new software that makes them even more secure than before.

The My Passport Essential and My Passport for Mac ultraportable external hard drives now come with Western Digital's very own SmartWare software application that offers hardware-based encryption in order to allow you to more securely store your files. With capacities ranging from 320 GB to 1 TB and a range of colors such as Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver and Midnight Black, the My Passport series has something for everyone.

“The smaller and sleeker design of WD's redesigned My Passport drives, combined with the intuitive visual backup experience of WD SmartWare software, makes this drive a smart and secure, travel-friendly storage choice,” said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD's branded products group. “These ultra-portable drives are a stylish and spacious storage solution for consumers to confidently backup, store and carry their entire digital lives.”

As with the My Book series, the My Passport Essential drives are made to work especially with the Windows operating system while the My Passport for Mac works (obviously) only with a Mac. While the My Passport Essential drives range from 320 GB to as much as 1 TB, the My Passport for Mac comes in two sizes: 320 GB and 500 GB. Prices in the My Passport line range from 109 USD to 249 USD. Pretty good pricing, I might add.


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