Western Digital has introduced its new 500GB capacity My Passport
Portable USB drives. It’s offered on the My Passport Elite and My
Passport Essential portable drive models.

A recent consumer study conducted by WD of 1,559 external hard drive
users revealed that 54 percent of survey respondents wished that
there was an automatic way to back up their computer without having
to think about it. My Passport Elite portable drives are equipped
with software to automatically back up consumers’ collections of
personal media and digital files.

Weighing in at less than seven ounces, the new 500GB My Passport
portable drives are small enough to fit in a pocket or back pack for
portability, says Jim Welsh, vice president and general manager of
WD’s branded products and consumer electronics groups. The
manufacturer’s retail price for the My Passport family of portable
drives with 400GB and 500GB capacities ranges from $US179.99 to
$219.99, depending on the model. The My Passport Elite and My
Passport Essential portable drives are offered in the following
capacities: 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 400GB and 500GB.

Product information and photos of the entire family of My Passport
portable drives are available on the company’s web site at
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=9