WD Passport acirc;„ cent; Portable USB Hard Drives

Simplifying transport of large quantities of digital content and information,Western Digital Corp. today unveiled its new WD Passportâ„¢ Portable USB HardDrives. With no need for a separate power supply (for most systems), WD PassportPortable Drives, available in capacities of 40 or 80 GB, are easy to useanywhere - simply plug and go.

WD Passport Portable Drives are outfitted with high-performance, low-powerconsuming, cool and quiet-running WD Scorpioâ„¢ 2.5 inch EIDE hard drives, arugged, protective case and Data Lifeguardâ„¢ protection to provide maximumsafeguard from data loss.

WD Passport Portable Drives were designed to serve as a digital file briefcaseby enabling owners to add instant extra storage; slip the drive in their pocketfor on-the-go convenience; back up their notebook computers for extra datasafety; easily share files between computers; and lock up the portable harddrive for extra security. An 80 GB WD Passport Portable USB Drive can storeapproximately 20 2-hour DVD-quality movies or over 1,300 hours of music.

WD Passport Portable Drives will be available at retail stores next month. Forcustomers who prefer the ease of online shopping, WD's new Portable USB drivesmay be pre-ordered via the company's online store (www.westerndigital.com/wdpassport).Customers who pre-order a WD Passport Portable Drive by Nov. 30, 2004, areeligible to receive free shipping with delivery scheduled on or before Dec. 24,2004, making WD Passport Portable Drives available as a holiday gift fortravelers. Full details of this promotion are available on WD's online store.Suggested retail pricing for WD Passport Portable USB Drive 40 GB capacity is$ 199 (USD) and $ 249 (USD) for 80 GB.

WD Passport Portable Drives are able to withstand the rigors of mobileprofessionals and other users who prefer to take their data with them. Safetytests make them one of the few external drives with certification to meet allapplicable safety requirements. A product specification sheet and photos of WDPassport Portable Drives are available on the company's Web site athttp://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=110

"No one does more to safeguard customers' data than WD," said Lonnie Arima, vicepresident and general manager for WD's retail products group. "Only a hard drivemanufacturer has the in-depth expertise to design enclosures that protect users'data. And only WD combines Data Lifeguard data protection with WD Scorpio2.5-inch hard drives -- the most rugged and reliable 2.5-inch hard drive in itsclass -- to deliver a portable USB hard drive dependable enough for ourcustomers to consider it the portable file for their digital life."