Western Digital on Tuesday introduced the first 2TB hard disk drive in 2.5" form-factor in the world. The new HDD is currently sold as My Passport portable storage device, but eventually WD may introduce this hard drive for various notebooks.

The WD My Passport 2TB external hard disk drive (WDBY8L0020BBK) is likely based on four 500GB 2.5" platters and has 5400rpm spindle speed. The drive is probably 12.5mm in height and hence can be used only in large 15" or even 17" notebooks. The My Passport 2TB features USB 2.0 as well as USB 3.0 interface and are compatible with both Apple Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.

The new My Passport drives offer WD SmartWare automatic backup software and WD Security for password protection and hardware encryption. In addition, the latest generation of portable external hard drives were specially-engineered to make the outer shell more resistant to scratches and fingerprints.

"More than money, jewelry and other valuables, the item most missed if ever lost or stolen is one's computer – and everything on it – so our goal in launching the next-generation of the popular My Passport drives is to encourage more consumers to protect their data before something happens. The new My Passport makes backing up and preserving one's digital life easier, reliable and more secure than ever – it's the perfect blend of monstrous capacity, reliability and user-friendly technology in a sleek form factor, now in five colors," said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups.

My Passport drives come with a 2-year limited warranty and are available online at the WD store and at select retailers and distributors. Manufacturer suggested retail price of the WD My Passport is $129.99 for 500GB, $149.99  for 750GB, $179.99  for 1TB, $199.99 for 1.5TB and $249.99  for the new 2TB edition.

Tags: WD, My Passport, HDD