Western Digital My Book Essential USB 2.0 Hard Drive 1TB
- 1 TB capacity, listed as 1024 GB
- USB 2.0 interface only
- 3.5 inch drive, 7200 listed rotational speed
- 60 MB/s listed data transfer rate
- Windows and Mac compatible, including Windows 2000
- 1 year limited warranty
- 3.3 pounds, AC adapter in the box
Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A plain older-generation USB desktop backup drive that powers itself on and off with the computer. It is slow by current standards and needs its AC adapter, despite a portable tag in the listing.
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ASIN: B000VZCEUICategory: External Hard Drives
Overview
Western Digital designs the My Book Essential as a plug-in external drive in a compact enclosure that takes no more space than a paperback book. It turns itself on and off with your computer and connects over a USB port.
Choose it for a simple backup of photos, music and documents with nothing to install. Speed is limited by the older USB interface, and the listed portable feature does not square with a full-size desktop drive that needs a wall adapter.
Who it's for
A single PC or Mac that needs a straightforward place for backups and media suits the plug-in setup. Travelers and anyone moving large files often should look at newer drives.
Pros and cons
- Plug in and use, no installation
- Powers on and off with the computer
- PC and Mac compatible
- Compact, heat-resistant enclosure
- USB 2.0 limits transfer speed
- Needs an AC adapter
- Listed as portable but desktop size
- Operating systems listed are old
Performance notes
Transfers run over the older USB interface at the listed rate, so copying large video files takes noticeably longer than from newer drives. Auto power control follows the computer, which saves manual switching. The listing notes that usable capacity varies by operating environment, because a gigabyte is counted as one billion bytes.
Specifications
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 1 TB (1024 GB) |
| Rotational speed | 7200 |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Installation Type | Plug in, no installation |
| Included components | |
| Included components | Hard drive, USB cable, AC adapter, quick install guide |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
| Other details | |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 incheshigher than 73% of 118 external hard drives |
| Hardware Platform | PC and Mac; Windows 2000, XP, Vista; Mac OSX |
| Data Transfer Rate | 60 MB/s |
Closest rivals on specs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to switch the WD My Book Essential on and off?
No. The description says it turns itself on and off with your computer.
Does the WD My Book Essential work with a Mac?
Yes. It is PC and Mac compatible, with Windows 2000, XP or Vista and Mac OSX listed.
Is the WD My Book Essential a portable drive?
The listing tags it portable, but it is a 3.5 inch desktop drive supplied with an AC adapter.
What comes with the WD My Book Essential?
The listing includes the hard drive, a USB cable, an AC adapter and a quick install guide.