Western DigitalIn our all-digital world, data storage and backup has become essential for everyone. Whether it’s work-related, school assignments, or treasured photos and videos, all of this data is too important to lose, so it makes sense to have the right tools to hand, whatever the occasion.
Everyone can benefit from a few (or more!) terabytes of extra storage
Fortunately, getting to your data has never been easier or more convenient, with innovations like USB-C and Thunderbolt making their way to almost all (good) devices now. And if your external hard drive also happens to match your own personal style… well, all the better!
Storage devices are not all created equal, or at least not all created for the same situations. The right storage device depends on where and how you’ll use it. Outdoor adventurers and photographers need ruggedised casings that can take punishment; gamers need raw speed and durability; and portability matched with dual-connectors are ideal for on-the-go executives who need to juggle multiple devices.
We’ve broken down the range of storage devices from Western Digital into five categories, to suit everyone who needs more space to store their data!
Storage ideas for creative professionals
Memory card: SanDisk’s Extreme Pro SDHC and SDXC memory cards with V90 Speed Class represent the cutting edge for image capture. Seamlessly record uninterrupted cinema-quality 8K, 4K, and full HD video. V90 and UHS Speed Class 3 rated, these cards are especially good for recording extreme sports and other fast action events.
Portable SSD: Wrapped in a stylish but also very durable case, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is ideal for photographers on the move. Splash through the landscape with IP55 water and dust resistance, and then quickly move content or edit directly off the drive thanks to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.
Ruggedised SSD: For the truly extreme user, the G-DRIVE ArmorLock SSD is the only choice. Ruggedised to take almost any punishment in the great outdoors, ArmorLock also means the ultimate in security tech and secure collaboration by leveraging your phone’s biometric authentication. We’re not saying you should take it into a war zone…
SSD: For working, creating or processing large amounts of data, the WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD expands the internal storage of any compatible laptop or PC by up to 2TB, and delivers lightning-fast and ultra-responsive performance. The Blue series of SSDs are built for extreme reliability and durability, to keep you working and improve your productivity, no matter the conditions.
Storage for smartphone creators
Two-in-one flash drive for Android and USB-C users: The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C has dual plugs – one USB-C and one USB-A. This makes offloading data from a smartphone onto a PC quick and easy, but there’s also 1TB of storage on board.
Two-in-one flash drive for iPhone users: The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe is also a dual-connector device, but this time the connectors are Lightning and USB-C, which means it can be used with iPhone, MacBook, Android Phone, and PC.
Wireless charger: Smartphone creators need to charge their phone multiple times a day, so make it easier for them with a wireless charger. The SanDisk Ixpand Wireless Charger Sync can also back up your files while your phone is charging, and you can set multiple profiles so the whole family can use it with their individual phones. (NOTE: Phones must be Qi wireless charging compatible.)
Storage for gamers
M.2 SSD: The M.2 SSD format is the fastest and can even be used in the PlayStation 5. The WD BLACK SN850 NVMe SSD comes in up to 2TB capacity and has a blistering 7000/5300MB/s read/write speed. You can get it plain, or even better, with a heatsink that includes customisable RGB LEDs for lighting up your PC. That heatsink edition is PlayStation 5 compatible too.
SSD: The WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive brings massive HDD capacity – up to 5TB – to your PC and compatible game consoles. That’s enough for 125 AAA games (and hundreds of indie titles!).
SD card: The Nintendo Switch is set to be a massively in-demand gift for 2021, so make the most of it with expanded SD card storage. The SanDisk microSDXC for Nintendo Switch is an official Nintendo-licensed card, and can add up to 128GB of storage to your Switch, and boosts game loading with up to 100MB/s transfer rates.
Storage for executive go-getters
Portable SSD: The WD My Passport SSD range comes in a range of colours, but our pick is the red one for executive go-getters. Blazing speed (1050/1000 MB/s read/write) means no awkward waiting while transferring, and the lightweight password-protected design means it can go everywhere with you. It can even survive drops of 1.98m with built-in shock protection.
Portable HDD: Sometimes you need serious storage – up to 5TB – and the WD My Passport HDD models provide that. Use it for storage for those content-heavy projects, and get peace of mind that it’s all password-protected.
Two-in-one Flash drive: Executive go-getters who work across Macs, PCS, tablets and smartphones will also appreciate flexible and versatile double-connector flash drives. We’d recommend the stylish, all-metal SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe a with handy keyring hole for easy grab and go.
Storage for school
SSD: The WD Elements SE SSD with capacities up to 2TB is ideal as a ‘my first SSD’. A compact design and drop resistance up to 2 metres make this the perfect drive for taking to school.
HDD: If you need massive storage, the My Passport HDD is a great choice with capacities up to a whopping 5TB. Plus, it’s palm-sized and comes in a vibrant range of colours, such as red, blue, navy, white and black.
Two-in-one flash drive: A perfect stocking-stuffer, the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go comes in a range of trendy colours (peach, navy, and mint), and can attach to your keys for easy access. Its dual-connectors let you move files from phone to computer – ideal for a demographic whose phones so often suffer from ‘accidents’.
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