Western Digital expanded its WD, WD_BLACK and SanDisk Professional product lineups with 2.5-inch portable HHDs that, for the first time, can hold 6TB of data.
Despite what some might expect, pricing is not through the roof. The new high-capacity hard drives (not SSDs) are available for under $200,and all cost less than $230.
Expand your MacBook with WD 6TB portable HDD
Adding external storage capacity is an easy way to expand the capabilities of any computer. And, as a thumbrule, the more the better. That seems to be WD’s attitude, anyway.
“Offering up to 6TB in such a small form factor and accessible price point gives everyone — from students, gamers, professional videographers, and more — greater flexibility to create and keep even more of their essential content in one portable drive,” said Nitin Kachhwaha, Director of Product Management at Western Digital, in a statement.
The 6TB version of the WD My Passport Ultra for Mac comes in a metal casing that is 4.33 inches by 3.21 inches by 0.87 inches (110.0mm x 81.6mm x 22.2mm).
My Passport for Mac 6TB is 4.22 in. by 2.95 in. by 0.81in. So is the WD My Passport, Works with USB-C version.
There’s also the SanDisk G-DRIVE ArmorATD, which adds shock, IP54 rain and dust and crush resistance to the 6TG portable HHD. It’s bulkier, of course.
All versions of the drive use USB-C, and connect via USB 3.2 Gen 1. That means they offer a maximum data transfer rate of 5Gbps.
Buy them today
The 6TB WD My Passport Ultra for Mac retails for $199.99. The 6TB WD My Passport for Mac retails for $179.99, while WD My Passport, Works with USB-C in that same capacity retails for $184.99.
The 6TB SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD retails for $229.99. The drive will be available by the end of May.
Note that Western Digital itself charges slightly higher for these 6TB portable HHDs than the suggested retail prices listed above.
For comparison. external SSDs are generally physically smaller than these HHDs, and are often faster, but they also cost more for the same storage capacity.
