Western Digital 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN)
Bottom line: The Western Digital 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive ($308.90 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): 6TB of desktop capacity for photo, video, and full-system archives; main trade-off: desktop form factor needs an AC adapter, so it is not travel-friendly.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 6TB of desktop capacity for photo, video, and full-system archives
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection built in
- ✓ USB 3.0 at up to 5 Gbps, and still works on older USB 2.0 ports
- ✓ Bundled WD backup software schedules automatic file protection
- ✓ Works with Apple Time Machine on Mac with no extra software
Cons
- ✗ Desktop form factor needs an AC adapter, so it is not travel-friendly
- ✗ Spinning HDD, so transfers lag far behind an external SSD
- ✗ Backup software needs a download, install, and possible account signup
- ✗ Advertised capacity uses 1TB = one trillion bytes, so usable space reads lower
Manufacturer description
The WD My Book 6TB gives you a straightforward desktop storage upgrade for a photo library, video project archive, or full-system backup that has outgrown your internal drive. It connects over SuperSpeed USB 3.0 at up to 5 Gbps, and stays backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports if you are pairing it with an older machine. Western Digital ships the drive with software for device management and automatic backup, so you can schedule ongoing file protection instead of dragging folders by hand; Mac users can point Apple Time Machine at it instead. Security is handled at the hardware level with…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Western Digital's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WD My Book work with a Mac?
Yes. It pairs with Apple Time Machine for Mac backups. Check the product listing for whether reformatting is needed for your macOS version.
Do I need to plug it into power, or does USB power it?
My Book is a desktop drive, so it uses an external power adapter in addition to the USB cable. It is not a bus-powered portable drive.
How secure are my files on this drive?
The drive includes 256-bit AES hardware encryption plus password protection, so the contents stay unreadable to anyone without your password.
Will it work on an older PC with only USB 2.0?
Yes. It is SuperSpeed USB 3.0 at up to 5 Gbps and remains USB 2.0 compatible, though transfers will run at the slower USB 2.0 rate.
Is 6TB the largest My Book you can get?
No. Western Digital lists My Book capacities up to 18TB. Note that 1TB is counted as one trillion bytes, so formatted capacity shows lower.
Key Features
- Massive capacity, up to 18TB capacity (1 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Business, personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
Full Specifications
| Brand | WD |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | My Book |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN |
| Built-In Media | Desktop hard drive^USB 3.0 cable^AC adapter^Quick Install Guide |
| Item Type Name | WD My Book USB 3.0 desktop hard drive and auto backup software,6 TB (WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN) |
| Hard-Drive Size | 6000 GB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption |
| Hardware Platform | PC;Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | PC |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 gigabits_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | plastic |
| Additional Features | Hardware Encryption |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Full listing title | Western Digital 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Auto Backup Software - WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN |
Ready to buy?
Western Digital 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Auto Backup Software - WDBBGB0060HBK-NESN is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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