The Evolution of WD's 2024 My Passport Portable SSD
The new 2024 Western Digital's My Passport Portable SSD is a very worthwhile upgrade from the original version.
Western Digital has long been a trusted name in the world of portable storage solutions. Most people reading this review will likely have once owned at least one device made by WD, either stuffed full of school or university work, crammed with backups of photos of loved ones or simply acting as an extension to your internal hard drive to store music, films and other documents. WD’s My Passport SSD aims to bring a new level of performance to the lineup with peak performance of 1,050/1,000 MBps of read/write throughput.
The Evolution of WD's 2024 My Passport SSD
The new WD My Passport SSD, an updated incarnation of their original portable SSD that was released back in 2017, and in 2024 still sets the benchmark for among the best out there. But if you’re looking to speed up your workflow, portable SSDs are all the rage.. For decades now, there’s no denying the attraction of an external hard drive to extend your storage capability. Western Digital has been at the forefront of this, largely thanks to their reliability, durability and portable designs that have become a byword for safe, reliable and fuss-free storage extension.
Technical Specifications of WD My Passport SSD
An ASMedia ASM2362 USB 3.2-to-PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe SSD chip bridges the link between the internal NVMe SSD and the host. It interfaces with WD’s Blue SN550E over a PCIe 3.0 x2 connection. It translates the NVMe protocol (1.3c) into USB Attached SCSI Protocol for faster than transitional bulk-only transport performance, though it supports both for compatibility. The drive manages power consumption via USB and PCI Express link power management along with chip power management.
Performance and Testing
WD claim that sequential read and write speeds clock in at up to 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s respectively – we tested this in the Disk Speed Test app simulating a 5GB file transfer. Peak performance was indeed 1050MB/s on both read and write for a brief moment, but on average for larger files normal results are around 750MB/s to 850MB/s, which is a little slower than claimed and perhaps a bit disappointing on initial reading, but still means according to Blackmagic you’d be able to use the drive for everything except 8K ProRes 422 HQ footage and 12K footage, which most of us casual content creators won’t need. The device does get quite hot when being used intensively, perhaps surprisingly so, but the heat is designed to quickly dissipate out of the metal casing. Largely pleasing results.
Under the Hood
With a USB 3.2 Gen2 controller and the company’s Blue SN550E NVMe SSD under the hood, this portable SSD is built to deliver blistering performance that leaves portable HDDs in the dust. Additionally, the drive comes with hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption for the security conscious.
Design and Construction of WD My Passport SSD
WD My Passport SSD is constructed out of both plastic and metal: the topside is metal while the bottom is plastic. Prying the casing open reveals the company took thermals well into consideration as there are multiple thermal pads and points of contact for the chips to dissipate heat into the top metal cover to function as a heat spreader. The drive itself is a metal enclosure and WD offer a choice of five attractive colours that benefit from a raised, ridge design akin to a rough pebble that not only looks the part but actually has a couple of ergonomic benefits. It’s easy to grip when in use and perhaps more importantly, because of the ridges on the side, easy to identify at the bottom of your kit bag when you’re rummaging around for it.
Capacity and Pricing
Ranging from 500GB up to a beefy 4TB, WD’s My Passport SSD comes in a variety of capacities, and all are rated to deliver up to 1,050/1,000 MBps of read/write performance under sequential workloads. Pricing is a bit higher than your standard SATA or M.2 SSD, though. However, at roughly $0.14-$018 per gigabyte, the My Passport SSD falls in line with competitors such as Samsung’s T7, Crucial’s X8, and the SanDisk Extreme v2.
Endurance and Warranty of WD My Passport SSD
As per the norm for most portable SSDs, the My Passport lacks an endurance rating, but it’s rational to expect that it should have a similar life expectancy to the WD Blue SN550 that powers the device (300 and 600TB for the 500GB and 2TB models, respectively). Oddly, the lack of an official endurance rating is actually a plus, though – WD backs the drive with a five-year warranty, so if you have problems, you can RMA the drive during the duration of the warranty regardless of the amount of data you’ve written.
Travel-Friendly Features of WD My Passport SSD
The travelling with the WD My Passport SSD is a stress-free experience as the device is also shock-resistant and resistant to vibration. WD also state that it’s ‘drop resistant’ up to 6.5ft (1.98m) too. The SSD is compatible out the box and easy to get going with – we were pleased to see that natively it features USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity but it also ships with a standard USB-A adaptor, so people operating older devices won’t be left out. One thing of note is that the cable is only a couple of inches long. It could have been double the size and still be small, providing a lot more flexibility for a wider range of users. WD rates the My Passport SSD to handle falls up to 6.5ft, but unlike SanDisk’s or LaCie’s portables, it lacks a formal Ingress Protection rating against the elements. The device comes formatted as exFAT for compatibility with both macOS and Windows-based computers and supports S.M.A.R.T. data reporting. When formatted as NTFS, the device supports TRIM.
The new 2024 WD My Passport SSD is a very worthwhile upgrade from the original version and we especially liked the lightweight, sleek, colourful design. It also performs well, despite getting a little warm when in use and having a slightly too short a cable, which was our only slight niggle.
Unraveling Excellence: ACE Data Recovery Services for WD SSD
In the era where digital data reigns supreme, safeguarding your precious files is paramount. Yet, despite our best efforts, data loss can still occur unexpectedly, leaving us stranded in a sea of uncertainty. This is where ACE Data Recovery steps in as a beacon of hope, offering top-tier data recovery services for WD SSD (Solid State Drive) users.
Understanding the Need for Data Recovery Services
In the realm of digital storage, Western Digital (WD) SSDs have emerged as stalwarts, known for their reliability and performance. However, even the most robust storage devices are not impervious to data loss. Whether due to accidental deletion, hardware failure, or unforeseen mishaps, the loss of crucial data can be devastating for individuals and businesses alike.
ACE Data Recovery: A Trusted Partner in Data Recovery
ACE Data Recovery has carved a niche for itself as a leading provider of hard drive data recovery solutions, catering to a diverse clientele spanning across various industries. What sets ACE apart is its unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with a wealth of experience amassed over decades in the field.
Specialized Expertise
One of the standout features of ACE Data Recovery is its specialized expertise in recovering data from WD SSDs. With a deep understanding of WD's proprietary technologies and intricate SSD architecture, ACE's team of skilled technicians possesses the proficiency to tackle even the most complex data recovery challenges.
Cutting-Edge Technology
In the realm of data recovery, technology serves as the cornerstone of success. ACE Data Recovery leverages state-of-the-art tools and techniques to retrieve lost data from WD SSDs with precision and efficiency. From advanced diagnostic utilities to specialized firmware repair capabilities, ACE leaves no stone unturned in its quest to restore valuable data.
Customer-Centric Approach
At the heart of ACE Data Recovery's ethos lies a steadfast dedication to customer satisfaction. Understanding the distress that accompanies data loss, ACE adopts a personalized approach, guiding clients through every step of the recovery process. With transparent communication and timely updates, ACE ensures that clients remain informed and reassured throughout their SSD data recovery journey.
Stringent Data Security Measures
Privacy and confidentiality are paramount when entrusting your data to a recovery service. ACE Data Recovery adheres to stringent data security protocols to safeguard sensitive information throughout the recovery process. From secure handling procedures to encrypted data transfer, ACE prioritizes the integrity and privacy of client data at every turn.
In an age where data is synonymous with power, the importance of reliable data recovery services cannot be overstated. With ACE Data Recovery at the helm, WD SSD users can rest assured knowing that their invaluable data is in capable hands. Through a potent blend of expertise, technology, and unwavering dedication, ACE stands as a beacon of hope, ready to unravel the mysteries of data loss and restore peace of mind to those in need.