Western Digital Reveals 'G-Drive USB-C' With High-Capacity Storage and MacBook Charging Capabilities

[MacRumors]

Western Digital today announced the newest addition to its G-Technology brand "G-Drive," called the G-Drive USB-C. The company said that the new device was designed with power users and creative enthusiasts in mind, allowing them access to high-capacity storage and charging on the MacBook Pro through the USB-C port.

The G-Drive USB-C is available in 4TB, 8TB, and 10TB capacities so users can store HD videos, photos, music, backups, and more on the device, which is also Time Machine compatible. The drive also supports traditional USB 3.0 connections, and ships with a USB-C to USB-A cable to make it backwards compatible with systems that include USB-A connectors. A USB-C to USB-C cable is also included.

Western Digital's new drive has a transfer rate of up to 195 MB/s, and in terms of charging the company said that the G-Drive USB-C provides up to 45 watts of USB Power Delivery. The drive is compatible with Thunderbolt 3 as well.

"The addition of the G-DRIVE USB-C external drive provides tech enthusiasts a single-cable high capacity, high quality storage solution that meets their individual creative needs," said Mike Williams, vice president of Advanced Technologies, Western Digital. "The G-DRIVE USB-C ensures pros can work seamlessly with the latest computers, and with a USB-C port and support for USB Power Delivery, it allows a user's charging capability to be more efficient without having to worry about connecting yet another cable to their computer for charging."

Users can pre-order the G-Drive USB-C for $199.95 at 4TB, $349.95 at 8TB, and $499.95 at 10TB beginning today. Western Digital said that the drive will be available this quarter through G-Technology resellers around the world.

Article Link: Western Digital Reveals 'G-Drive USB-C' With High-Capacity Storage and MacBook Charging Capabilities

 

[Aston441]

Hi Apple,

Can you put another USB-C port on the MacBook so I can replace my Air?

Thanks!

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Seems like a rather confusing brand name given how much that logo looks like Google's and how that name sounds like an abbreviation of Google Drive.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Hi Apple,

Can you put another USB-C port on the MacBook so I can replace my Air?

Thanks!

Phil Schiller responds: "Screw you, you cheap bastard. The MacBook is the perfect Mac for all Mac users* and more ports would detract from its intrinsic beauty and Apple revenue, so open up your wallet and buy hub or dongle or MacBook Pro. Warm regards, Phil.


*PC users should buy an iPad Pro."
[doublepost=1491917586][/doublepost]

Seems like a rather confusing brand name given how much that logo looks like Google's and how that name sounds like an abbreviation of Google Drive.

G Tech predates Google. Not just Google Drive, but Google. So if anything other way around.

 

[Sasparilla]

Seems like a rather confusing brand name given how much that logo looks like Google's and how that name sounds like an abbreviation of Google Drive.

Conversation in WD's marketing department: "How'd this get blown? Um, that guy (szw-mapple fan) on MacRumors saw right through our plan. But, how could he do it? This was 6 months in the making. Google's capital G has colors and ours is black... They're hardware accessories are white and our drive is metal. Um, Google's lawyers on line 2....".

You're totally right, although if Chupa Chupa is right, their G-Drive is an old brand. I like the idea of the hardware though.

 

[Xavier]

Seems like a rather confusing brand name given how much that logo looks like Google's and how that name sounds like an abbreviation of Google Drive.

G Drive has been around since 2004. Google Drive, since 2012. Two totally different products.

 

[Avieshek]

It's time we already enter, the Terabyte age.

 

[rjohnstone]

Only 45 watts of power?
So much for using it with the 15".

 

[ghost187]

G-drive is owned by WD now? That's like Kia buying/making Ferrari, I'm kind of sad about this.

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

10TB capacities

Wow - man, I'm getting old.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Only 45 watts of power?
So much for using it with the 15".

So much for using it as a charging source you mean. It'll function just fine with a 15" MBP, just won't be the only cable you have plugged in if you need charging. Good thing the MBP has 4 ports for that.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Hi Apple,

Can you put another USB-C port on the MacBook so I can replace my Air?

Thanks!

Yes, Apple, please do this.

I am almost sold on the idea of getting rid of MagSafe2 chargers, even though nearly everything about USB-C power delivery is inferior.

But needing some kind of expensive adapter to charge and use an accessory at the same time is unacceptable.

 

[mojomaniak]

USB-C w/ 5400prm? More like lipstick on a pig if you ask me!

 

[logicstudiouser]

USB-C w/ 5400prm? More like lipstick on a pig if you ask me!

For most consumers that just use an external hard drive to backup their computer, 5400rpm is fine.
Backing up using external flash storage is still very expensive.

 

[Kajje]

$50x4 for 4TB, $50x10 for 10TB. Strange pricing.
Nonetheless pricing is not that bad and the power through is really handy.
I'd considering getting one if only it had a simple extra USB port for expansion. A missed opportunity on that.

 

[guzhogi]

I remember when $500 only got you 320 GB. Man, I'm old.

 

[ebatalha]

In some way it's weird, using such a powerful port with a 5400RPM drive, that only serves the purpose of backup and yes, what's the problem with 5400RPM drives? Make some research, all the great drives for backup, even the most expensive ones 3,5" are 5400RPM, see the RED label WD drives, they are not for work, just for backup and don't die like the normal 7200RPM ones.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Wow - man, I'm getting old.

I thought the same thing. But then I recalled the last time I imported video from my GoPro. 4K@24fps is 133 mins / 64 GB or 2,128 minutes per TB. 35 Hours of video per TB. That’s a lot but not if you’re in the target Pro demo. 10 TB would be just about required. Imageine editing 4K video on a rMBP with just the internal storage? No way.

 

[Koodauw]

G-drive is owned by WD now? That's like Kia buying/making Ferrari, I'm kind of sad about this.

I had the same thoughts. I wonder when this happened. Guess I will google.

Edit looks like in 2012. Also bought Sandisk in 2016.

 

[Bradamante]

the company said that the G-Drive USB-C provides up to 45 watts of USB Power Delivery

Huh? 45 watts? To charge a MacBook Pro? The 13 inch comes with a 61 watts power supply, the 15 inch with a 87w. The MacBook wants 29 w, the MB Air wants 45. So ... only for the MBA? Under-charging the MBPs leads to longer charge-up time? Or will it not charge at all and you need a second cable to charge it? Why the power through put then? I don't get it.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

USB-C w/ 5400prm? More like lipstick on a pig if you ask me!

I have to think the USB-C connectiviy is solely for compatibility and not being utilized because of it’s speed. The port is capable of 10 Mbps, while the drive only delivers a claimed 195MB/s (1,560 Mbps), or just 15% of the port capacity. 7,200 rpm is supposed to be 33% faster, so that’s about 2,075 Mbps. Still kind of lame. So much so, that I don’t know that it matters.

But then, has anyone priced out what 10TB of USB-C SSD storage will run you? Ouch, I’m sure.

 

[samlikesmac]

G-drive is owned by WD now? That's like Kia buying/making Ferrari, I'm kind of sad about this.

Western Digital, Toshiba, and Seagate are the only three companies that actually manufacture hard disk drives now. Every other company just buys the drive from them and brands it as their own.

 

[macs4nw]

I'll be a ...... just picked up a 4TB version on March 25. Would have preferred the USB-C version if I'd known.

Win some... lose some, this one is working fine thus far.

 

[John.B]

The drive also supports traditional USB 3.0 connections, and ships with a USB-C to USB-A cable to make it backwards compatible with systems that include USB-A connectors. A USB-C to USB-C cable is also included.

​

​

Not sure that's in the USB-C spec.

Be careful out there!

 

[jobesucks]

Wow - man, I'm getting old.

Was thinking the same, I remember getting a Quantum Bigfoot 1.2GB and thinking the capacity as well as the drive was huge.