[Staples] WD My Passport for Mac

Aug 9th, 2017 2:32 pm

#1

starchoice [OP]: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2007; 4489 posts; 3400 upvotes; Edmonton

Aug 9th, 2017 2:32 pm

Retailer:: Staples

If anyone is looking for one of these, I noticed that the Source sells both the 3TB and 4TB models for the same price: $159.99. Not sure if this is a price error but you can do a price match with Staples (reg. price of $179.95) and then use their coupon for an additional $15 off bringing the price of the 4TB to $144.99. This is a good deal. Amazon.ca is selling the 4TB for $169,20 and the 3TB for $149.99 so the price of the 4TB at Staples is cheaper than what you would normally pay for a 3TB.

Aug 9th, 2017 2:38 pm

#2

konsensei: Deal Fanatic; Mar 17, 2006; 6913 posts; 5824 upvotes; Burlington

Aug 9th, 2017 2:38 pm

Please enlighten me with the "For MAC" version.

+1

Aug 9th, 2017 2:38 pm

#3

toguy: Deal Expert; Jun 23, 2005; 25043 posts; 202710 upvotes; GTA

Aug 9th, 2017 2:38 pm

But you could just use the $25 e-mail signup coupon (signup link) from The Source to get the price down to $134.99...

Aug 9th, 2017 2:43 pm

#4

starchoice [OP]: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2007; 4489 posts; 3400 upvotes; Edmonton

Aug 9th, 2017 2:43 pm

konsensei wrote: ↑ Please enlighten me with the "For MAC" version.

This version is specifically formatted for Mac. It's just plug and play essentially.

Aug 9th, 2017 2:47 pm

#5

FrostyWinnipeg: Deal Addict; Nov 25, 2009; 2936 posts; 1852 upvotes; Winnipeg

Aug 9th, 2017 2:47 pm

Same drive just diff formatting. For Mac can be used on PC and vice-versa. Just need to format it properly.

+1

Aug 9th, 2017 2:48 pm

#6

starchoice [OP]: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2007; 4489 posts; 3400 upvotes; Edmonton

Aug 9th, 2017 2:48 pm

toguy wrote: ↑ But you could just use the $25 e-mail signup coupon (signup link) from The Source to get the price down to $134.99...

You get Air Miles at Staples.

Last edited by starchoice on Aug 9th, 2017 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Aug 9th, 2017 2:48 pm

#7

Thatdealguy: Deal Guru; Oct 21, 2015; 12153 posts; 111819 upvotes; Ontario

Aug 9th, 2017 2:48 pm

toguy wrote: ↑ But you could just use the $25 e-mail signup coupon (signup link) from The Source to get the price down to $134.99...

doesnt work with coupons anymore

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Aug 9th, 2017 2:54 pm

#8

toguy: Deal Expert; Jun 23, 2005; 25043 posts; 202710 upvotes; GTA

Aug 9th, 2017 2:54 pm

Here are all the WD Passport Drives in various colours:

https://www.thesource.ca/en-ca/search/?text=my+passport

Don't think there's anything special with the Mac versions, other than they are preformatted, as mentioned above. You could certainly reformat it and use it with Windows, if you are so inclined.

There used to be one of these drives that kind of 'matched' the MacBook finish and was branded as 'for Mac' (and you couldn't get a 'regular'/Windows version of that drive) , but looks like they have done away with that.

Aug 9th, 2017 3:13 pm

#9

toguy: Deal Expert; Jun 23, 2005; 25043 posts; 202710 upvotes; GTA

Aug 9th, 2017 3:13 pm

Thatdealguy wrote: ↑ doesnt work with coupons anymore

If the coupon doesn't work for this, then they need to update their terms, because there's nothing in it that would indicate this product is ineligible...

Aug 9th, 2017 3:23 pm

#10

achc: Deal Addict; May 3, 2005; 2969 posts; 305 upvotes

Aug 9th, 2017 3:23 pm

don't quite get the different formatting
MAC cannot read NTFS
Just go on your PC and format it as FAT then it works fine.
I guess for people that don't have a PC and use MAC only, then you need this version
Correct me if I am wrong

RFD Damage...lost count

HEATWARE
eBay

+1

Aug 9th, 2017 3:24 pm

#11

projectmoonlightcafe: Deal Addict; Oct 23, 2006; 4598 posts; 880 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 9th, 2017 3:24 pm

starchoice wrote: ↑ Not sure if this is a price error but...

Who else just came in for "price error"?

Board games!!!!
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Aug 9th, 2017 3:28 pm

#12

konsensei: Deal Fanatic; Mar 17, 2006; 6913 posts; 5824 upvotes; Burlington

Aug 9th, 2017 3:28 pm

achc wrote: ↑ don't quite get the different formatting
MAC cannot read NTFS
Just go on your PC and format it as FAT then it works fine.
I guess for people that don't have a PC and use MAC only, then you need this version
Correct me if I am wrong

Not really, I've always plugged in any drive onto a MAC and format it accordingly.
That's why I never understood these "For MAC" versions. As if it's so special only MAC can use. Marketing, I guess, and it does work.

The price in this one is indeed decent though.

Aug 9th, 2017 3:53 pm

#13

smg669: Member; Nov 2, 2003; 452 posts; 88 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 9th, 2017 3:53 pm

achc wrote: ↑ don't quite get the different formatting
MAC cannot read NTFS
Just go on your PC and format it as FAT then it works fine.
I guess for people that don't have a PC and use MAC only, then you need this version
Correct me if I am wrong

You are wrong.

MacOS can read NTFS "out of the box" - it just can't write to NTFS. There are several software add-ons available that allow OS X to write to NTFS.

FAT (i.e. FAT32) limits you to 4GB max file size and 2TB max volume size.

As mentioned several times in this thread, a Mac can reformat a brand new drive that is formatted for Windows without issue.

+1

Aug 10th, 2017 9:18 am

#14

apemomscwtf: Newbie; Nov 6, 2016; 56 posts; 17 upvotes

Aug 10th, 2017 9:18 am

konsensei wrote: ↑ Not really, I've always plugged in any drive onto a MAC and format it accordingly.
That's why I never understood these "For MAC" versions. As if it's so special only MAC can use. Marketing, I guess, and it does work.

The price in this one is indeed decent though.

I don't see why that's a problem. A Mac label just make it easier for people to identify that the drive is not NTFS and will work right out of the box without using disk util to format. Some people want something that just works and wouldn't mind paying a little extra for SKU that guarantee it. I think it's a rip off that an exact drive that formatted differently cost more, but I can also understand that it add to the cost for company to maintain multiple product line.

Aug 10th, 2017 9:30 am

#15

jiffylube1024: Deal Addict; Jan 5, 2003; 4550 posts; 1002 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 10th, 2017 9:30 am

For Mac is for the people who don't know about spending 30 seconds in dusk utility formatting the drive.

It's really a waste to have multiple sku's but there you have it.

Also as said above Mac can read NTFS just fine but can't write to it without a program like paragon NTFS.

Heatware - 300+ positives!!
RFD - 100+ positives!!

+1

Aug 10th, 2017 10:06 am

#16

pkphilip: Deal Addict; Jan 23, 2004; 3447 posts; 3023 upvotes; GVRD

Aug 10th, 2017 10:06 am

ExFAT is what I use if I need Mac+PC read/write capability.

+3

Aug 10th, 2017 3:17 pm

#17

jiffylube1024: Deal Addict; Jan 5, 2003; 4550 posts; 1002 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 10th, 2017 3:17 pm

pkphilip wrote: ↑ ExFAT is what I use if I need Mac+PC read/write capability.

Yup it's a good compromose.

Heatware - 300+ positives!!
RFD - 100+ positives!!

Aug 12th, 2017 8:21 am

#18

audit13: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2003; 19310 posts; 6591 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 12th, 2017 8:21 am

Do these WD drives have the USB port soldered to the drive motherboard?

I use NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software to ensure read/write capability on several Macbooks running Sierra.