Well, the WD 500GB External (3.5″) was disappointing as well thanks to the long delays between spin-downs and that it still generates heat, like the Seagate did, when not in use.
I returned the drive because I did not feel it was worth $170. I’ve dropped the External want for now and have settled for another WD Passport drive, 250GB model (2.5″) off my brother for a mere $30 (in store prices are at least $100 more than that). It’s used but so is my older 160GB one I bought off him and it works 100% fine still to today. (My Zune was in the photo so I mentioned it.)