---
product_id: 16547275
title: "Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U5000"
brand: "western digital"
price: "$85"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
category: "Western Digital"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/16547275-western-digital-my-book-essential-edition-500-gb-usb-2
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# 500 GB storage capacity Stackable book-style design USB 2.0 plug & play Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U5000

**Brand:** western digital
**Price:** $85
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 💼 Elevate your digital workspace with storage that means business.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U5000 by western digital
- **How much does it cost?** $85 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/16547275-western-digital-my-book-essential-edition-500-gb-usb-2)

## Best For

- western digital enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted western digital brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Massive 500 GB Storage:** Securely archive your entire digital life—photos, music, videos, and docs all in one sleek drive.
- • **Iconic Book-Style Design:** Stack multiple drives like volumes on a shelf—maximize desk space with style and order.
- • **Ultra-Quiet, Cool Operation:** Work uninterrupted with whisper-quiet performance and a cool-running drive that stays reliable.
- • **Bonus Google Software Included:** Easily search, organize, and manage your files and photos with free integrated Google tools.
- • **Effortless USB 2.0 Connectivity:** Plug it in and go—no installation fuss, just instant backup and access on any compatible device.

## Overview

The Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive offers a spacious, reliable, and stylish solution for backing up and organizing your digital assets. Featuring plug-and-play simplicity, a unique book-like design for neat stacking, and quiet operation, it’s perfect for professionals seeking dependable desktop storage. Includes free Google software for enhanced file management.

## Description

Product Description Hard Drive, 500gb Mybook Usb 2.0 desertcart.com desertcart.com Product Description Is your computer loaded with photos, music, video, and all sorts of important files? If so, you should make extra room, back them up, and keep them safe on Western Digital's WDG1U5000 My Book Essential Edition 500 GB Hard Drive. This reliable, easy-to-use external hard drive is the perfect storage solution for all your precious digital assets.Save and back up all your digital assets with the My Book Essential Edition Hard Drive. View larger. Simple, easy-to-use design. Connects to your computer via USB 2.0 interface. View larger. The elegant case takes up very little space. Installation is a breeze because you don't really "install" anything -- just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is not even an installation CD because all the included software loads automatically from the hard drive the first time you plug it in. The My Book Essential is all about simplicity. Just plug it into your computer's USB 2.0 port and you're ready to start saving and backing up your files. But that's not all. Western Digital uses a smart design to make the My Book Essential look as good as it performs. The elegant case resembles a book and takes up very little space on your desk. Plus, it stacks horizontally and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together like encyclopedias on a shelf. Inside the stylish exterior is an exceptionally fast, ultra-quiet, cool-running hard drive. Last but not least, the My Book Essential is equipped with free Google software that searches your drives, manages your photos, and simplifies Web searches.My Book Essential Edition Hard Drives are ideal for: Simple add-on storage for your files, music, photos and movies Adding virtually unlimited storage with multiple USB 2.0 external hard drives Archiving the music stored on your MP3 player Adding plenty of space for digital video capture and editing Saving and organizing your digital photo collection Note: For higher performance and automatic backup software, consider the My Book Premium Edition 500 GB Hard Drive. What's in the Box My Book Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 external hard drive, USB cable, AC adapter with power cord, and quick install guide. P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); From the Manufacturer You can't measure memories in gigabytes. But you can use those gigabytes to preserve the stuff that really matters  the photos, music, movies and documents that you never want to lose, never want to forget. My Book is full of life--your life. Small, simple, elegant, and very easy to use. Just plug it in, and you've got plenty of room to back up and save your valuable data, music, photos, and movies. FeaturesEasy to set up, easy to use -- This drive is all about simplicity. Plug it into your computers USB 2.0 port and start saving. Intelligent drive management features  The My Book drive turns itself on and off with your computer Smart design  The elegant case, iconic of a book, takes up less space on your desk, stacks horizontally, and allows two or more drives to stand neatly together like volumes on a shelf. High quality hard drive  Inside the case is an exceptionally fast, ultra quiet, cool-running hard drive from Western Digital. Free Google software  Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software. Ideal ForSimple add-on storage for your files, music, photos and movies Adding virtually unlimited storage with multiple USB 2.0 external hard drives See more

Review: Bulky, heavy, but worked as advertised - Pros: It's got lots of storage and transfers data relatively fast. It's quiet (no fan) and looks stylish. I knew what I was getting into, though, so I'm not complaining about the size and weight. Cons: If you want an easy to pack and move portable, this AIN'T it. Get a USB powered 2.5" drive. The things I didn't like about it and was uninformed when I got it are: 1) the little rubber feet on it like to fall off REALLY easy. 2) There are no pads as it comes to lay it on its side. Sure, it takes up less room, but I keep knocking the thing over. 3) It's a FAT-32 drive. Convert it to NTFS or else you won't be able to store ISO's of ripped DVD's, single layer or dual layer. 4) it comes with pre-loaded software that seems useless for what I bought it for -- Storing digital pictures, music, and ripped DVD's. -- Bottom line, I'm going to have to buy a 2.5" USB powered external for dragging my media to and from work. I REALLY like my friend's passport Western Digital 160 GB USB 2.0 Passport 2.5" External Hard Drive ( WDXMS1600TN ) . A 160 gig would really be the ticket!!! ** UPDATE ** The drive died and took all of the data with it. Got slower and slower, so I started transfering the important data off and it died halfway through the transfer. I am disappointed that it lasted only two hears with light use.
Review: Good Hard Drive Until it Died After 1 Year - I purchased this drive last year and used it to store my Time Machine backups. It was quiet and attractive looking and served the purpose well. However, it just broke down a mere 2 months out of warranty. Classic. The hard drive had an easy life too, so this is totally unacceptable to me. When I told a friend of mine about the incident, he reported that he has had two of these break prematurely on him as well.

## Features

- Store and back up your music, photos, videos and important documents with this external hard drive
- Easy to set up and use with built-in installation software
- Simple user interface features USB 2.0 connectivity
- Device holds up to 500 GB of data
- Measures 5.55 x 2.25 x 6.71 inches (WxHxD)

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B000EXRSVM |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,479 in External Hard Drives |
| Customer Reviews | 3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars (329) |
| Date First Available | March 9, 2006 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Weight | 2.91 pounds |
| Item model number | WDG1U5000N |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| National Stock Number | 7025-01-551-6954 |
| Product Dimensions | 5.55 x 2.25 x 6.71 inches |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Western Digital
- **Color:** Black
- **Compatible Devices:** Desktop
- **Connectivity Technology:** USB
- **Digital Storage Capacity:** 500 GB
- **Hard Disk Description:** usb 2
- **Hard Disk Form Factor:** 5.55 Inches
- **Hard Disk Interface:** USB 2.0
- **Installation Type:** Plug In
- **Special Feature:** External Power Adapter, Mac, compatible, Operating temperature range: 5 - 35 °C

## Images

![Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500 GB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive WDG1U5000 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KuM4pKUXL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Compatible with a 2007 MacBook?**
A: Yes. It is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2.8 +

**Q: To Seller:  Please tell me if the drive has the original format from the manufacturer.**
A: Yes, you can always re-format.  It lasted a good 3 years or so, before it started to fail.

**Q: How does the device receive power?**
A: Looking at the thing right now.  Has an adapter that must be plugged into the wall.  It is a divided adapter, meaning it is a power plug then 5 feet of cord then a small adapter and then about 3 feet of cord with a power piece to plug into the drive.  Just be warned that this device only lasted me a few years before the drive started to fail.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bulky, heavy, but worked as advertised
*by A***R on July 3, 2007*

Pros: It's got lots of storage and transfers data relatively fast. It's quiet (no fan) and looks stylish. I knew what I was getting into, though, so I'm not complaining about the size and weight. Cons: If you want an easy to pack and move portable, this AIN'T it. Get a USB powered 2.5" drive. The things I didn't like about it and was uninformed when I got it are: 1) the little rubber feet on it like to fall off REALLY easy. 2) There are no pads as it comes to lay it on its side. Sure, it takes up less room, but I keep knocking the thing over. 3) It's a FAT-32 drive. Convert it to NTFS or else you won't be able to store ISO's of ripped DVD's, single layer or dual layer. 4) it comes with pre-loaded software that seems useless for what I bought it for -- Storing digital pictures, music, and ripped DVD's. -- Bottom line, I'm going to have to buy a 2.5" USB powered external for dragging my media to and from work. I REALLY like my friend's passport Western Digital 160 GB USB 2.0 Passport 2.5" External Hard Drive ( WDXMS1600TN ) . A 160 gig would really be the ticket!!! ** UPDATE ** The drive died and took all of the data with it. Got slower and slower, so I started transfering the important data off and it died halfway through the transfer. I am disappointed that it lasted only two hears with light use.

### ⭐⭐ Good Hard Drive Until it Died After 1 Year
*by J***Y on May 8, 2009*

I purchased this drive last year and used it to store my Time Machine backups. It was quiet and attractive looking and served the purpose well. However, it just broke down a mere 2 months out of warranty. Classic. The hard drive had an easy life too, so this is totally unacceptable to me. When I told a friend of mine about the incident, he reported that he has had two of these break prematurely on him as well.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Hard Drive I've Ever Owned
*by A***R on August 13, 2008*

This is the best hard drive I've ever had. It's solidly built, runs completely silently, runs cool, and is at a fantastic cost. I've owned dozens of hard drives through the years and this one is hands down my favorite from my favorite company ever. I bought it over a year ago and it still is perfect. Some things to note however to get the best out of this device. 1) As soon as you get it format it in NTFS using either My Computer>Right Click>Format>NTFS in Windows or if using a Gnome Edition of Linux such as Ubuntu (like myself) open terminal and type 'sudo gpart'. This allows you to store files over 2GB on it such as your DvD ISO backups or back ups of your games. 2) Buy a refurbished or used one. New this product is $300. You can find it all day long on Amazon between $60 and $90 cutting the cost down to almost 1/6 on a good day. 3) Some other customers have complained about this product breaking after prolonged use. This device does have a limited lifespan with write usage. This being said try to put data on it that you want to back up and then set it to 'read only'. This will save you some headaches in the future. It's meant to be a backup drive after all and not one for installing applications on.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-02-06*