One of the wonderful gadget that we got ourselves before we depart on our most recent trip from Kuala Lumpur to Hua Hin was the 2TB Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro and I am definitely elated to have it as my companion throughout the 22-days trip.
Although to many, the My Passport Wireless Pro might just be another little storage device but then once you use it, you will know it is not just your “another little storage device” but a lot more.
Firstly let me describe the technical specs – the storage device is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 as well as the Mac OS X El Capitan, Yosemite, Mountain Lion or Lion operating system. The My Passport Wireless Pro also comes configured for either DLNA/UPnP or Plex streaming.
The hardware has a USB 2.0 port for media transfer from an external source such as your DSLR camera or CF card reader as well as a built-in SD 3.0 card reader for transfer speed of up to 65 MB/s read and 40 MB/s write speed. It also operates on a best of class wireless 802.11ac for strong wireless connection and smooth streaming (all smooth when we tried up to 2 devices watching 2 different HD movies simultaneously).
This portable storage device comes with a 6400 mAh battery that is suppose to keep the device running continuously for up to 10 hours (we only tested till 6 hours but with plenty of juice left).
So why do I think My Passport Wireless Pro is a must have companion for travelers, especially those who loves to do photo shoots on their travel or the family vacation.
First, My Passport Wireless Pro can act as your media server. This is especially useful for the family road-trips where movies can be stored in the device and each of the family members can access the device with their mobile phone or ipad to watch their own favorite movies or listen to music on demand – like how you do it on flight. This will definitely cut down on the stress of “are we there yet” especially you have kids traveling on long journeys. HD movies and music streams effortlessly and we had it hook up to 2 devices and it still stream perfectly. My Passport Wireless Pro can also stream to Smart TV (if you have them at your hotel room).
Second, My Passport Wireless Pro can act as WIFI hotspot. Most hotels you stay these days gives you complimentary WIFI services but some of them have limitations on how many devices can be hooked up on the service. No worries if you come to hotels as such. You can link up the My Passport Wireless Pro to the “free WIFI” and set the devices to broadcast out WIFI to your other devices. This way you do not have to purchase additional WIFI access from the hotel.
Third, My Passport Wireless Pro comes with a 6400 mAh battery pack which can keep the device running for up to 10 hours. However this battery pack can also be used as a power back to charge your phone or GoPro or other devices through its USB port, charging your device at a normal speed. However, do understand that using the device to charge phones will drain the battery out and you wont be able to get the 10-hour of operation from the My Passport Wireless Pro but then it is always a good safety net in case you really need a power-boost for any of your devices.
Fourth, My Passport Wireless Pro has the USB 2.0 as well as the built in SD 3.0 slot so if you want to travel light and not wanting to bring your laptop and external-HD for backup, the Wireless Pro can get it done easily. If you are shooting on CF card, then just bring along the CF-card reader and slot it into the USB 2.0 or direct from your DSRL and if you’re shooting on SD card then just plug in to the fast SD 3.0 slot. My Passport Wireless Pro also have intelligence to copy only the files that are just added on the cards – ie, if you shot 150 photos and transferred it to the Wireless Pro, then continue shooting another 100 photos, when you put back the card into the slot, My Passport Wireless Pro will only copy the new 100 photos as it recognizes the first 150 photos is already in the HD and saves you time.
Finally, My Passport Wireless Pro acts as your reliable storage companion. You can link the My Passport Wireless Pro to your laptop through the USB cable for faster transfer or conveniently via wireless. Of course you can store all the data you want on it, stream the video or music as mentioned above, or edit the photos right off from it. For those shooting images in raw files, you don’t even need additional software to view them in your phone or tablet or a smart TV.
We are happy to use this device for the first time on our trip, and definitely it is one of our favorite companion from now onwards. Since we need to ensure our images and videos have a second backup, we got ourselves the new sleek looking, high performance G|Drive mobile USB-C portable drive from G-Technology.
Oh, one reminder, do set the My Passport Wireless Pro on a stable place when in use always, as advised by the seller.
I got the My Passport Wireless Pro (2TB) for under RM 1,000 here in Malaysia – higher than the usual 2TB external-HD but this devices gives you a lot more than the usual external-HD.
Definitely a worth-while investment if you are always travelling for photo-shoots.
