Western Digital Corp. announced the expansion of its external hard drive lines, giving consumers an increasing number of options for simplifying the addition of massive storage capacity to PCs and Macintosh computers.

The company is adding a USB 2.0 model to its existing WD Dual-option product family, which features software that simplifies and automates data back up; and is introducing the WD Essential external drive line, which provides the necessary storage functions and maximum value.

Both WD Dual-option USB 2.0 and WD Essential drives feature a front-mounted power button, the USB 2.0 interface, 7200rpm spin speed; and capacities of 80, 120, 160, 200 and 250GB. WD’s Dual-option USB 2.0 model gives consumers the option to back up data either on-demand or automatically and ensures that all data is safely transferred before shutting down the drive with the company’s Safe Shutdown feature.

Dantz Retrospect Express backup software enables users of WD Dual-option USB 2.0 drives to choose how and when to back up data, either automatically or on-demand, with the simple touch of a button. Using an easy set-up wizard, users can schedule a recurring backup, a button glows blue to confirm that files will be backed up automatically.

WD Dual-option and WD Essential drives are compatible with both PC and Mac computers with an available USB port using either Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP or Mac OS v9.2.2, Mac OS X v10.1.5+ (WD Essential) or Mac OS X v10.2.8+ (WD Dual-option). All WD external products carry a one-year warranty.