The WD 18TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive offers massive storage capacity, USB 3.0 compatibility, and robust security features like password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

Users praise its reliability, with one long-time WD customer noting decades of trouble-free use. However, some cautionary tales exist - a previous WD drive failure left one user wary, though they ultimately returned to the brand after extensive research.

The drive performs well in real-world use, with transfer speeds reaching up to 600MB/s. It runs quietly under normal operation, though mechanical sounds become noticeable during heavy workloads.

Setup is straightforward, with the included software providing backup and management capabilities. The RAID configuration options offer flexibility for different use cases.

While the premium price reflects the substantial capacity, users confirm you get what you pay for in terms of quality and performance. The drive works seamlessly with both computers and gaming consoles (though note Xbox One has specific compatibility limitations).

For those needing massive, reliable external storage with enterprise-grade security features, this WD My Book model delivers excellent value despite its premium price point.