SuperSpeed USB is gaining momentum, so Western Digital couldn't ignore this trend, or the benefits that come along with the USB 3.0 standard, and decided to upgrade their My Book Essential, My Passport Essential and My Passport Essential SE external storage solutions with this latest interface.

Together with the upgrade to USB 3.0 transfer speeds, Western Digital also added a 3 TB capacity drive to their My Book Essentials external storage solution, the drive being now available in 1 TB, 1.5 TB, 2 TB and 3 TB versions.

Equipped with WD SmartWare visual backup software, this drive joins the 500GB My Passport Essential that is now available in five new colors, midnight black, cool silver, real red, pacific blue and arctic white, all the power needed in order to function being supplied trough the USB cable.

The My Passport Essential SE portable hard drives are available in 750 GB and 1 TB capacities and come in stylish black, silver, metallic blue and metallic red colors.

"WD's newest line of My Book and My Passport external hard drives features the latest USB 3.0 connection technology, which more than triples the speed to transfer media files, but still works with today's USB 2.0 ports.

In addition, consumers can take advantage of the highest capacity available on external hard drives with the new 3 TB My Book Essential drive," said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD's branded products group.

All these USB 3.0 enabled drives are available right now, the My Passport Essential portable drive being available for $99.99 USD while the SE version ranges from $129.99 to $169.99.

The My Book Essential drives ranges from $129.99 to $249.99, depending on capacity.