he said:
I have used about 6 different WD Passport 2.5" drives (80-160GB) - they
have all worked off of a single USB port on a couple of different desktop
machines and at least 3 different brand laptops. On one other laptop
(older), I needed an external power supply - used one from an old USB 1.1
hub.
Try it first - if it doesn't spin up reliably (that is the critical part,
as usually once they spin up the power requirement goes down), you may
need a cable to connect a second USB port to the drive (only used for
power, not data), or an external power supply.
Taxed Mind:
Our experience with 2 1/2" USB external HDDs parallels that of "he". While
it is true that many, if not most, of these 2 1/2" external HDDs will draw
current greater than the 500 mA specified for a USB 2.0 port, we have found
that in the majority of cases the 2 1/2" USBEHDs will work reliably
connected to a single USB port even without an external power supply.
But as "he" also points out. Not always. There *will* be cases where one
would need an external PS for the device or the USB dual-head cable (so as
to connect the device to two USB ports) similar to the WD "Power Booster
Cable" you referred to in order for the device to properly function.
So if you're set about using such a device but aren't interested in the
add'l expense, and even annoyance, of purchasing either an external PS or
the dual-head cable, then I would suggest you purchase the WD Passport
device locally with the understanding from your local dealer that you will
have return privileges should the device not properly operate with your
machine without having to purchase those accessories.
Other than that, simply consider a "normal" 3 1/2" USBEHD device which
includes its own PS.
Anna