Wd My Book Duo 12tb Test

Introduction, Pricing & Warranty

Western Digital recently revamped many of its consumer product lines with new assuming products that all seem to follow the same design theme. We have all iii of the new products in firm for testing. The My Book Duo is the next "My" product to go nether our microscope. It sports up to 20TB of direct attached storage that connects via a USB iii.1 Gen 1 connection.

Western Digital's 2017 strategy is more than merely a pare-deep makeover. The capacities have increased, but prices have, for the well-nigh function, decreased. Meanwhile, WD's value-add software package went upward to class-leading levels. It'southward a potent combination that's currently unmatched in the 2-bay directly attached storage (DAS) market.

Over the last several years the 2-bay DAS market has shrunk. Flash-based, single bay, iv/five bay, and network-attached products have all experienced solid growth, merely two-bay systems have nearly disappeared. We call up the rise of 4K video, which requires higher transfer speeds for existent-time editing than nigh 2-bay HDD-based systems can deliver, is i of the biggest reasons. Western Digital doesn't list functioning specifications, merely in the product overview the company claims up to 360 MB/s of sequential read performance. The loftier performance comes from the latest generation of helium-filled Cherry series HDDs and improved RAID controller silicon. The potent combination should give yous enough of a functioning increase to enable light 4K video editing in real time.

Specifications

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WD My Book Duo (20TB)

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WD My Book Duo (16TB)

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WD My Volume Duo (12TB)

The Western Digital My Volume Duo comes to market place in six capacities that range from 4TB (in a 2TB x2 configuration) to the 20TB model we're testing that sports two 10TB Red HDDs. The default configuration is a RAID 0 with the NTFS file system. The WD Drive Utilities software allows yous to change the assortment to RAID 1 or a JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks). The same utility can also configure the array with either an NTFS or exFAT file system.

Like the other new products in the "My" portfolio, Western Digital doesn't list many, or in some cases any, performance specifications. The company only makes ane operation claim with the My Book Duo--up to 360 MB/due south sequential read speeds. There aren't any sequential write or random performance specifications.

Connectivity comes from a unmarried USB 3.1 Gen i Type-C port on the back of the system. The interface is good for 5Gbps throughput to the host, but it shares bandwidth with the two USB three.0 hub ports also found on the back side of the unit.

Pricing And Warranty

Western Digital's My Book Duo spans a wide capacity range. That results in increased pricing distance betwixt models. The smallest model with 4TB (2x 2TB HDDs) starts at simply $279.99. The next step up with 6TB of full storage chapters is just $twenty more at $299.99. From there, the price increases to $349.99 for the 8TB and $439.99 for the 12TB. The two largest capacities jump from that bespeak to $629.99 for the 16TB and $849.99 for the 20TB My Book Duo.

All My Volume Duo products carry a 3-twelvemonth warranty through Western Digital.

Software

The "My" products ship with the software package conveniently on the drive or array. The software is too available for download on Western Digital's website should you lot lose it or need a MAC-uniform version. You become a menu to control the digital accessories once yous install the base software and you also gain access to more options. WD includes several utilities:

• WD Drive Utilities
• WD Security
• Plex
• Upthere Home (4 Months Free)
• Acronis Truthful Paradigm
• Drivesecurity By ESET
• Blancco Data Eraser Solution
• Digi.me
• Magisto
• Experience Safer
• WD Backup

You lot tin configure the RAID array and file system through Western Digital's Drive Utilities software. This application also gives you control of the idle sleep timers and fifty-fifty has a information erase feature to wipe the drives so you can start over with a fresh array.

Accessories

The My Book Duo ships with USB Type-A to Type-C and USB Type-C to Type-C cables. The system uses a Type-C connector for transmission to the host PC. In that location are two USB Type-A ports on the back of the system that brand it a USB hub as well as a storage device.

You get 2 paper manuals that provide setup details. The system uses a power brick with a standard ii-prong plug. Western Digital as well gives yous a blackness wedge-shaped tool that y'all can employ to open up the acme of the system without scratching the smooth piano blackness end.

Packaging

The My Book Duo ships with the drives preinstalled in the organization in a RAID 0 configuration. White grade-fitted cream surrounds the storage arrangement. The accessories ship in a carve up box off to the side.

A Closer Expect

There are two different textures on the My Book Duo, and we have issues with both. The mirror-like piano blackness finish shows grit, fingerprints, and any scratches. Y'all tin can't even use a standard paper towel to wipe off the piano black portion of the organization or it will scratch the finish, so you lot'll need a microfiber towel. The matte black area also shows fingerprints, but at least it is more robust.

You may wonder why anyone would actually affect the system afterwards getting it in place, but the two-port USB 3.0 hub on the back forces yous to handle the arrangement so you can connect other devices. It would accept been better if WD put the 2 ports on the front end of the system.

The system is tranquillity enough to utilise it on your desktop. The internal cooling fan as well keeps the drives absurd.

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Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/wd-my-book-duo-das,5236.html

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