WD outs new My Passport Studio drive for Mac-lovers

Western Digital has released the new models for their line of My Passport and MyBook external drives, but they left an updated “Studio” version out. So what’s new with the updated My Passport Studio? It’s still basically a portable drive designed with the new My Passport line’s curves, but adds an e-paper display to the mix.

The e-paper display has already been used on WD’s other external MyBook line, but this is the first portable drive to come with it. Labeled as the “Smart display,” this screen can be personalized to describe what you stored in it—handy in case you plan to own more than one. The display still shows even when the drive is unplugged, and alternatively shows the available capacity and security status.

Aside from the display, new shape and the Mac-matching color, the My Passport Studio also comes with a FireWire 800 connection in addition to the usual USB 2.0 for faster file transfers on a Mac. To add to its Apple-friendliness, the drive also supports Apple’s Time Machine feature for instant backups and restores.

The My Passport Studio is available now in 320GB ($150), 500GB ($180), and 640GB ($200) capacities, which is around $50-60 more than the basic, “no-screen” My Passport Essential drives at the same capacities.