Can the MBP properly power the Western Digital Passport Drive? (USB power question)

[Chris Welch]

Does anyone know how much power each USB port in the MBP provides?

I'm researching getting a WD Passport external drive, and they are entirely USB powered.

However, some consumer reviews say that some laptops require TWO ports to properly power the drive.

Is this the case with the MBP? I'd hate to use two ports, since that's all I've got on my MBP...

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[BWhaler]

I use the 120 gig model with no problems.

I''ve read online that some of the bigger drives either the 160 or the 200 gig cannot power them, but I think these comments may be from posters with older computers. I'm not sure.

But my experience has been trouble free--knock on wood.

 

[Chris Welch]

So just to clarify, you only need to use one USB port for it?

 

[showtime]

yup all you need is one usb port. I don't even think there are two usb cables.

 

[whateverandever]

This was answered at least twice in the past week...

 

[joepunk]

afaik only us G4 PB (peanut-butter as I like to refer to my laptop) need to use two USB ports even if we have USB 2.0.

I don't have direct experience but others have stated so already.

I think that any MB/P owner should be fine with just using one port.