USB type C ports are much more reliable than USB 3.0 micro the long length of the connector makes connections unreliable and the cable prone to getting tilted within the socket. I've had tons of ports with issues staying connected from every mfg good, bad. It definitely is just a crappy connector design and is probably why samsung stopped using the 3.0 micro connector and switched back to 2.0 micro.
USB type C provides 3.0/3.1 connectivity in a more mechanically robust connector.
USB Type C is still not widely spread and only the newer motherboard and other devices have such ports so having the regular USB3.0 Micro-B makes the device more usable for wider range of devices. The speed difference between the different types of connection doesn't really matter as the drive itself can't really reach the full bandwidth of the connections.
Feel free to ask if there are other questions! I would be happy to provide any info that's publicly available. :)
You are, of course, welcome to use whatever drives you like. BUT
- Seagate had a 2.5" 4TB drive out months ago. So it wasn't like we were all waiting for this form factor.
- For backup of a large array (especially if you are using a time-line backup system like TimeMachine), why not buy an 5, 6 or 8TB drive in 3.5"? You'll get more capacity for your dollar, and have backups going back further in time. Of course a 3.5" solution means more space and an external power supply, but for your use case that seems acceptable.
I know Seagate bought Samsung HDD, but seeing "Seagate released its Samsung Spinpoint M10P HDD 4 TB HDD" still feels odd. They really didn't kill the branding, and old parent Samsung Group is okay with that?
I have an M3 Slimline drive here with a Samsung drive, it really was a good product. I bought exactly the same model with a Seagate drive, why not, it still says it's a Samsung drive. It gave me nothing but trouble. The drive refused to transfer files over Intel fed USB 3.0 front ports. The UAS driver is annoying. It refused to work with my FireTV, Raspi 3 and Odroid. Just complete junk.
Samsung got ownership of 9% of Seagate as part of the deal. Reporting from 2011 said the shared branding would only be for 12 months. SInce it's continued since then Samsung must still be signing off on it; presumably that means they think it's a good thing for them.
Purely a wag, but I assume Seagate's paying for the usage of the name in some form; and would guess there're customers (presumably in South Korea) who prefer to buy the Samsung brand.
At the time of the acquisition, Seagate was going to keep Samsung running as an independent design unit (similar to WD and HGST). I can't find any info either way, but perhaps they still are and the Samsung branded drives are designed in SK instead of wherever else Seagate does the rest of its design work.
I tore apart the Seagate 2.5" / 4TB version (15mm drive inside) and used it in my AW18. Effing thing failed last week. I don't expect Seagate will warrant the disk outside of its enclosure? Anybody know better?
So, I'm going to give this WD a try. (*when I actually see it for sale* - which I don't locally out here in Asia).
What are you planning on using the WD My Passport? It's good for backup and portable data usage as well as console gaming and other similar types of usage. If you need more info on the drive or if you'd like some other alternatives - feel free to ask, I'd be happy to help. :)
Regarding the warranty, most manufacturers do void the warranty on external drives that do not support removing the drive from enclosure. It's the same situation with the WD My Passport - if you get the drive out of the enclosure you'd lose the warranty.
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CoreyWat - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Why didnt they use USB C? or atleadt have the option for USB C to USB 3.0TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Most likely because this is a older product with a new drive thrown in, not a new product.And what difference does it make? mini usb 3 to usb 3 A or type c to usb 3 A, you still need a converter cable.
noealo - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
USB type C ports are much more reliable than USB 3.0 micro the long length of the connector makes connections unreliable and the cable prone to getting tilted within the socket. I've had tons of ports with issues staying connected from every mfg good, bad. It definitely is just a crappy connector design and is probably why samsung stopped using the 3.0 micro connector and switched back to 2.0 micro.USB type C provides 3.0/3.1 connectivity in a more mechanically robust connector.
grant3 - Thursday, July 7, 2016 - link
Rumour has it that some laptops come with USB-C.It's the wave of the future, my friend!
noealo - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Cost is probably one thing and they are probably just running down their massive stock of micro 3.0 connectors before they switch to type C.Captain_WD - Thursday, July 7, 2016 - link
Hey guys :)USB Type C is still not widely spread and only the newer motherboard and other devices have such ports so having the regular USB3.0 Micro-B makes the device more usable for wider range of devices.
The speed difference between the different types of connection doesn't really matter as the drive itself can't really reach the full bandwidth of the connections.
Feel free to ask if there are other questions! I would be happy to provide any info that's publicly available. :)
Captain_WD.
TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Backing up my home RAID array just got much easier.name99 - Thursday, July 7, 2016 - link
You are, of course, welcome to use whatever drives you like. BUT- Seagate had a 2.5" 4TB drive out months ago. So it wasn't like we were all waiting for this form factor.
- For backup of a large array (especially if you are using a time-line backup system like TimeMachine), why not buy an 5, 6 or 8TB drive in 3.5"? You'll get more capacity for your dollar, and have backups going back further in time. Of course a 3.5" solution means more space and an external power supply, but for your use case that seems acceptable.
icrf - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
I know Seagate bought Samsung HDD, but seeing "Seagate released its Samsung Spinpoint M10P HDD 4 TB HDD" still feels odd. They really didn't kill the branding, and old parent Samsung Group is okay with that?HomeworldFound - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
If I were Samsung I wouldn't be happy, Seagate uses the Samsung brand to sell their worst products.icrf - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
The best HDD I ever had was a 400 GB Samsung, pre-Seagate buyout. I was sad to see them gobbled up.HomeworldFound - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
I have an M3 Slimline drive here with a Samsung drive, it really was a good product. I bought exactly the same model with a Seagate drive, why not, it still says it's a Samsung drive. It gave me nothing but trouble. The drive refused to transfer files over Intel fed USB 3.0 front ports. The UAS driver is annoying. It refused to work with my FireTV, Raspi 3 and Odroid. Just complete junk.DanNeely - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Samsung got ownership of 9% of Seagate as part of the deal. Reporting from 2011 said the shared branding would only be for 12 months. SInce it's continued since then Samsung must still be signing off on it; presumably that means they think it's a good thing for them.Purely a wag, but I assume Seagate's paying for the usage of the name in some form; and would guess there're customers (presumably in South Korea) who prefer to buy the Samsung brand.
At the time of the acquisition, Seagate was going to keep Samsung running as an independent design unit (similar to WD and HGST). I can't find any info either way, but perhaps they still are and the Samsung branded drives are designed in SK instead of wherever else Seagate does the rest of its design work.
Notmyusualid - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Well this product is right on time for me.I tore apart the Seagate 2.5" / 4TB version (15mm drive inside) and used it in my AW18. Effing thing failed last week. I don't expect Seagate will warrant the disk outside of its enclosure? Anybody know better?
So, I'm going to give this WD a try. (*when I actually see it for sale* - which I don't locally out here in Asia).
Captain_WD - Thursday, July 7, 2016 - link
Hey there :)What are you planning on using the WD My Passport? It's good for backup and portable data usage as well as console gaming and other similar types of usage. If you need more info on the drive or if you'd like some other alternatives - feel free to ask, I'd be happy to help. :)
Regarding the warranty, most manufacturers do void the warranty on external drives that do not support removing the drive from enclosure. It's the same situation with the WD My Passport - if you get the drive out of the enclosure you'd lose the warranty.
Feel free to ask if there are any questions!
Captain_WD.
Notmyusualid - Thursday, July 7, 2016 - link
Hi,I'd like to know if you expect it to last > 85 days, as is told to me by my failed Seagate using Smartctl output for one...
And two, can I buy the drive, sans enclosure, so that I may actually have a warranty this time?
My usage: backups, videos, music, Bit Coin volume.
Notmyusualid - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - link
Just to add - did not find the 4TB anywhere for sale, have the 3TB version now.Using externally, and resisting the urge to pull it apart, so that I have a warranty. :(
edward1987 - Friday, July 22, 2016 - link
Just in case you are interested when these WD drives will be available in UK you can try to follow this page http://www.span.com/search/wdb_star_0040b