WD SmartWare
WD SmartWare is an easy-to-use backup application that gives you the power to:
- Protect your data automatically—Continuous backup instantly makes a second copy whenever you add or change a file. Scheduled backup runs on the days and times you select.
- See your backup as it happens—Category-mode backup organizes and displays your files in categories and shows the progress of your backup.
- Bring back lost files effortlessly—Easily retrieve your data whether you have lost everything, deleted a folder, or just overwritten an important file.
- Take control—Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more for supported WD devices.
- Secure your encryption-enabled WD drive—Password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption protects your data from unauthorized access or theft.
Selecting what you want to backup is easy. You can backup individual files or types, such as Movies, Mail, Documents, etc.
Restoring files is just as easy.
You can change the settings for file history (deciding how many versions you want to keep), check for software updates and change settings easily.
Performance Tests
Using CrystalDiskMartk, and connected to a WIndows 8.1 PC via USB 3.0, our tests produced an average write speed of 113.7 MB/s and an average read speed of 113.5 MB/s.
Using Disk Speed Test from Blackmagicdesign, and connected to a 2013 MacBook Pro via USB 3.0, our tests produced an average write speed of 107.9 MB/s and an average read speed of 108.7 MB/s.
Final Thoughts
WD continue to be the leader in hard drives providing higher capacity and faster drives all the time. And including additional software like WD Drive Utilities, WD Security and WD SmartWare just adds to the value.
WD Drive Utilities is very useful for monitoring the health of your hard drive – it is worth taking the time to run tests, if for no other reason than to give you some peace of mind. Hard drives do fail, so it’s best to know if you have a problem early.
And WD Security is an excellent addition and makes encrypting the drive and its contents with 256-bit hardware-based encryption as simple as clicking a button.
If you plan on taking the drive out of your home or office then encryption is a must, and even if you are not planning on taking it outside, if the contests of the drive have any importance (such as personal emails, photos, files, etc.) then you really should encrypt the drive. It’s very quick and easy and frankly there is no reason not to do it.
WD SmartWare is another useful tool to help you backup and protect your data, and it is so easy to use you wont have any excuse not to be protected.
I liked that WD included a small soft pouch to carry the drive around in – it keeps it clean and scratch free, so well done WD!
The drive is very quiet, however I did notice that it became quite warm after periods of extended use.
And whilst we reviewed the 1TB version, there is also a 2TB one too if you need additional storage, although I would recommend going for the maximum capacity possible – let’s be honest, it’s not like you wont use the space eventually.
The 1TB My Passport Slim is available now priced at around £75, but as usual look around for the best price. But even for that price, with the included functionality, its a steal.
Is this a purely solid state drive, a traditional HDD or a hybrid? The reason I ask is that I need something with very low power consumption in order to work with my Microsoft Surface 2 (not the Pro), on the road. External HDD’s such as the original WD My Passport don’t work unless they already require a separate power supply.
It’s a standard 2.5” drive