Western Digital WD Elements SE USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drives: 500GB $39 after $30 rebate, 1TB $59 after $30 rebate

3TB for $120 - $30 MIR = $99?

Must be that NEW math they're teaching the kids these days (wink).

Thats $90, isn't it? Or have we entered the twilight zone? (hehe)

And whats wrong with a USB 2 drive? Thats all my PC has and I"m not buying a new one for quite some time.

Quote from TDMVP73 : Yes, that's what I'm saying. They have the USB connections soldered onto the HD instead of the typical SATA interface, which is what you would need to make it into a laptop hard drive (2.5" drive). If you want to rip apart an external drive, I recommend sticking with Seagates, Toshibas, or most Hitachis. However, Hitachi was bought out by Western Digital, so they might start doing the same thing soon.

I can confirm that Toshiba started to have the soldered kind as well, thanks to WD. Only Segate left.

Quote from calistyle : Bullshit. I've gotten every single rebate I have ever submitted with no issues.

I as well. I've done about ten in the last year and half and have had no issues.

Quote from equisch3x : Is there a limit on the rebates per household?

Yes, the fine print on the bottom of the rebate form mentions one rebate per household, per address, per name, etc, etc, so yes, there is a limit of one rebate per household.

Quote from shakes : Lowest on Amazon fromOther Sellers is $74.98. Trying to price match, will be back if it goes through!

Hmmm...don't price match with other sellers!

Quote from jimbeau : Limited Warranty: 12 months parts; 12 months labor kills it for me, but probably because I am not particularly in the market for a new drive. Repped for the post.

Can I ask you a question? Don't you backup your emails, password program, document files, and your browser profiles? If so, do you really want to send back a drive that's crashed, knowing that it can be refurbished and all those files can be copied by some technician?

For the umpteenth time, you do not want to send back bad drives unless you've only had it for a week at the most and you know there's nothing of importance on it. A two year warranty just means that if you take advantage of it after the first year, you're sending alot of personal information back with it if you can't wipe it clean yourself.

Quote from abramowicz : I can confirm that Toshiba started to have the soldered kind as well, thanks to WD. Only Segate left.

Is the savings over a regular bare drive worth taking them apart? I never thought to buy a enclosed HD to use as an internal drive.

Quote from webwidejosh : Is the savings over a regular bare drive worth taking them apart? I never thought to buy a enclosed HD to use as an internal drive.

Yes, it is definitely worth the time taking it apart. If you don't care about saving the enclosure, you can just apply pressure until the case snaps apart. Usually there are a series of small clips to pop along the edge.

Many times the actual drives inside are the same as the "bare drives" which cost more.

Another thing to consider is that stores often clearance out older models/packaging of external hard drives, whereas that rarely happens with internal/bare drives.

I've purchased 1 TB portable HDs for dirt cheap (~$15 AC) on clearance at OD and other retailers.

If you see a USB 2.0 portable hard drive at a retailer, you might want to keep your eye on it because almost everyone is making the transition to USB 3.0 portables.

No backup software included.... Tsk

Quote from hbsjr : No backup software included.... Tsk

For windows: Ctrl + C, then Ctrl + V.
For Mac, Command + C, Command + V

Saved you $50.

Those interested in these drives might also consider the Newegg Shellshocker - Seagate Expansion 750GB USB 3.0 Black Portable Hard Drive STBX750100 [newegg.com]. It's Seagate, but it's the smaller 2.5" form factor and it runs off of USB power (which is convenient). For $59.99 it seems like a better deal... no rebates + free shipping.

Same deal with the TOSHIBA Canvio Basics 3.0 750GB USB 3.0 Black Portable Hard Drive HDTB107XK3AA [newegg.com] - $59.99 after $20 promo code EMCXWVS48.

Quote from TDMVP73 : It's a shame that WD portable drives don't have standard SATA connectors inside. $55 for a 1 TB is pretty darn cheap.

Quote from TDMVP73 : They have the USB connections soldered onto the HD instead of the typical SATA interface, which is what you would need to make it into a laptop hard drive (2.5" drive). If you want to rip apart an external drive, I recommend sticking with Seagates, Toshibas, or most Hitachis.

Just to clarify, this only applies to the "portable" version of these external drives, right? I've got a lot of WD Elements drives, both 1TB and 2TB, but they all have an AC power adapter. I always thought those drives can be removed from the case and can then be connected internally, particularly in the event that one of them fails and needs data recovered from it.

Quote from b-smith : Just to clarify, this only applies to the "portable" version of these external drives, right? I've got a lot of WD Elements drives, both 1TB and 2TB, but they all have an AC power adapter. I always thought those drives can be removed from the case and can then be connected internally, particularly in the event that one of them fails and needs data recovered from it.

Yes, I was talking about portable HDs. WD Elements 3.5 Inch Desktop External HDs CAN be removed from their enclosure and used as standard SATA HDs.

Here is a video of how to take it apart:
LINK [youtube.com]

Quote from Mechfire : Those interested in these drives might also consider the Newegg Shellshocker - Seagate Expansion 750GB USB 3.0 Black Portable Hard Drive STBX750100 [newegg.com]. It's Seagate, but it's the smaller 2.5" form factor and it runs off of USB power (which is convenient). For $59.99 it seems like a better deal... no rebates + free shipping. Same deal with the TOSHIBA Canvio Basics 3.0 750GB USB 3.0 Black Portable Hard Drive HDTB107XK3AA [newegg.com] - $59.99 after $20 promo code EMCXWVS48.

Much much better. Seagates can be taken out of the cage and used as internal laptop/desktop drives. WD uses "new" technology by soldering the USB connector on the drive.

Edit: reading the reviews, NO, it can't be used as a laptop drive. And HDD inside is Samsung, not Seagate. Samsung does not really know how to make HDDs.
Pass.