Oh wow! Does this mean that WD have ditched that totally unnecessary custom SATA connector in the Passport series for good? Have always told customers to avoid those for that reason.
No I meant inside the caddy. If you open them up the HDD doesnt have a standard SATA connector. It is wired directly to the USB port or uses a odd connector wired to the USB. So the caddy/USB part can fail but you cant then slot the bare drive in a dock and copy the data off. Not very clever.
Maybe I missed it, but can you log into your existing wireless network with this device, such that it would just be a network drive either in a more secure location (basically anything not connected to by a cord to a computer someone might steal) or one that just didn't require a cable to connect the device for aesthetics?
Yes, in the access point mode, it can have an uplink to a different network via Wi-Fi. On that network, it just appears like a wireless NAS. Devices connected on the primary network can access the MPW Pro just like any other NAS with CIFS shares.
My experience with WD MyCloud products has been mostly positive. They are easy to setup and basically function as intended. My only gripe is when accessing the MyCloud from outside your local network with the app (either desktop or mobile). Doing so for consumption purposes is not a problem, but if you want to copy numerous files to a remote location it is not efficient. The ability to drag and drop to a remote desktop through the app would be more ideal.
I have a Passport Wireless and I'd say I'm unimpressed. Originally I planned to use it as a portable NAS as well as a wireless bridge. The NAS-side of the thing seems to be acceptable, but the wireless bridge side leave a lot to desire. I find that it could not find a wireless router located 2 metres away, which render it totally useless in this regard.
It ends up as a portable SD card backup storage, in my case.
Personally, I'd rather see this offered as a bare bones model (no hdd or ssd) that I can place MY drive into. That way, if you already have a drive laying around (as I bet some of us do), and would rather not pay for WD's drive. At the retail price we're seeing for the 2.5TB drive ($230), I could see them offering the bare bones drive for ~$125-$150.
There ARE portable mini routers (sized like a pack of cards or smaller) with very similar functionality (card reader, battery, hotspot, etc) and a USB port unto which you can hook up any portable drive.
That's true. But for travel purposes, I'd rather have it all in one unit. Drop a hdd or ssd in there, and you're good to go, AND it's taking up less space in the carry-on bag. Space and weight are a premium, these days, if you're flying.
I don't think you mkvs will work in the iPad. The unit does not do any transcoding only straight thru playing. So the device doing the playback has to support mkv which I'm fault certain the iPad might not. (Unless there was a way to pipe the files into Vlc or infuse.)
I had the 2014 2TB model (before I accidentally dropped in onto my toes from about 2.5 feet and it never worked again) and the thing that frustrated me most about using it in DAS mode (which I did most often) was how quickly the drive would spin down. It seems like it would sleep after as little as 2 minutes of inactivity or less. And it took its own sweet time spinning up again, during which time most Windows 8.1 systems would lock up the UI of the app trying to access the drive.
I searched high and low for a utility that would let me change the sleep timer of the drive but I never found one. Otherwise, the drive was fine. I'd only try this new version if I know that issue's been fixed or someone can recommend a way of changing the timer to something I prefer. I'm fine with the drop in battery life that would come with the change.
I really hope you will review the new mycloud pro series NAS devices as well. Hardware transcoding for Plex is important to me and I think these units are the first to support that. Running a Windows based server now, but hoping to transfer to NAS someday.
InFuse works perfectly with the My Passport wireless Pro on my iPad Air with MKV high bitrate files. I'm using the Twonky server because the Plex server died and I haven't been able to get it running again. VLC works, but there is some stutter on high bitrate files
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jabber - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
Oh wow! Does this mean that WD have ditched that totally unnecessary custom SATA connector in the Passport series for good? Have always told customers to avoid those for that reason.Michael Bay - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
I have two USB3 Passport models, and neither has anything over standard USB3 port.jabber - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
No I meant inside the caddy. If you open them up the HDD doesnt have a standard SATA connector. It is wired directly to the USB port or uses a odd connector wired to the USB. So the caddy/USB part can fail but you cant then slot the bare drive in a dock and copy the data off. Not very clever.Michael Bay - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
Oh. I hope I don`t have to pry those open.jabber - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
Yeah keep your fingers crossed on that one. ooer!Goodspike - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
Maybe I missed it, but can you log into your existing wireless network with this device, such that it would just be a network drive either in a more secure location (basically anything not connected to by a cord to a computer someone might steal) or one that just didn't require a cable to connect the device for aesthetics?ganeshts - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
Yes, in the access point mode, it can have an uplink to a different network via Wi-Fi. On that network, it just appears like a wireless NAS. Devices connected on the primary network can access the MPW Pro just like any other NAS with CIFS shares.soliloquist - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - link
My experience with WD MyCloud products has been mostly positive. They are easy to setup and basically function as intended. My only gripe is when accessing the MyCloud from outside your local network with the app (either desktop or mobile). Doing so for consumption purposes is not a problem, but if you want to copy numerous files to a remote location it is not efficient. The ability to drag and drop to a remote desktop through the app would be more ideal.mr_tawan - Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - link
I have a Passport Wireless and I'd say I'm unimpressed. Originally I planned to use it as a portable NAS as well as a wireless bridge. The NAS-side of the thing seems to be acceptable, but the wireless bridge side leave a lot to desire. I find that it could not find a wireless router located 2 metres away, which render it totally useless in this regard.It ends up as a portable SD card backup storage, in my case.
marvdmartian - Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - link
Personally, I'd rather see this offered as a bare bones model (no hdd or ssd) that I can place MY drive into. That way, if you already have a drive laying around (as I bet some of us do), and would rather not pay for WD's drive. At the retail price we're seeing for the 2.5TB drive ($230), I could see them offering the bare bones drive for ~$125-$150.Impulses - Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - link
There ARE portable mini routers (sized like a pack of cards or smaller) with very similar functionality (card reader, battery, hotspot, etc) and a USB port unto which you can hook up any portable drive.marvdmartian - Thursday, June 23, 2016 - link
That's true. But for travel purposes, I'd rather have it all in one unit. Drop a hdd or ssd in there, and you're good to go, AND it's taking up less space in the carry-on bag. Space and weight are a premium, these days, if you're flying.mr_tawan - Sunday, June 26, 2016 - link
I saw some Chinese-made system with OpenWRT. Haven't tried but I expected to be better than WD :).Huppie76 - Thursday, July 21, 2016 - link
Hi. Is possible to putt a ssd into this device? How did you open it? Is it hard to open it?Tenx for the good review
windz - Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - link
Having the Plex media server in a portable Wi-Fi drive is bad ass. Finally I can stream all my MKV to my iPad Pro on the road.ravedog - Friday, June 24, 2016 - link
I don't think you mkvs will work in the iPad. The unit does not do any transcoding only straight thru playing. So the device doing the playback has to support mkv which I'm fault certain the iPad might not. (Unless there was a way to pipe the files into Vlc or infuse.)HanaAndHerSistersTech - Thursday, June 23, 2016 - link
Pass. Had two WD external USB drives die out in past six months, they were only a year old. Going to HGST now.Phynaz - Friday, June 24, 2016 - link
This thing will operate as a Plex media server, right? Why wasn't that aspect reviewed?wossman - Saturday, June 25, 2016 - link
I had the 2014 2TB model (before I accidentally dropped in onto my toes from about 2.5 feet and it never worked again) and the thing that frustrated me most about using it in DAS mode (which I did most often) was how quickly the drive would spin down. It seems like it would sleep after as little as 2 minutes of inactivity or less. And it took its own sweet time spinning up again, during which time most Windows 8.1 systems would lock up the UI of the app trying to access the drive.I searched high and low for a utility that would let me change the sleep timer of the drive but I never found one. Otherwise, the drive was fine. I'd only try this new version if I know that issue's been fixed or someone can recommend a way of changing the timer to something I prefer. I'm fine with the drop in battery life that would come with the change.
mr_tawan - Sunday, June 26, 2016 - link
I think they are Green drives, so that's normal. I think WD Green are re-branded as Blue now though.AgeOfPanic - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
I really hope you will review the new mycloud pro series NAS devices as well. Hardware transcoding for Plex is important to me and I think these units are the first to support that. Running a Windows based server now, but hoping to transfer to NAS someday.xCyborg - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
I guess this is not SSD.nbourbaki - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
InFuse works perfectly with the My Passport wireless Pro on my iPad Air with MKV high bitrate files. I'm using the Twonky server because the Plex server died and I haven't been able to get it running again. VLC works, but there is some stutter on high bitrate filessaelim - Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - link
Plex Media Server is good feature for me.http://www.ubearymuch.com/my-passport-wireless-pro...
qplgzzpmakgm - Monday, August 24, 2020 - link
http://bitly.com/zoom-viber-skype-psy