Are you looking for more cloud storage without the monthly price gouge? Western Digital has opened up the clouds for consumers. They have taken what we have all become very familiar and comfortable with and wrapped it up in it’s own neat little package so everyone can have their own personal cloud storage, without the huge cost. Imagine having your own 3TB of storage in the cloud, with Western Digital you can!
Western Digital, the 43-year old California based company, is no stranger to cloud storage. They introduced to the consumer market the MyBook Live and the MyBook Live Duo, named after their popular line up of MyBook external hard drives. The MyBook line up was made up of portable hard drives and external desktop hard drives. The difference between portable hard drives and external desktop hard drives are that the portable units are powered through the usb port that transfers the data and the external desktop drives require their own power plug (more wires to carry).
Although the moniker MyBook still lives on through the Live Duo and other storage devices, it seems Western Digital has renamed and redesigned some of their current product line. The MyCloud is still very much the younger brother of the Live Duo but more stylish and still more affordable. If you are in the market for network storage or just general cloud storage on a beginner’s level, check out the MyCloud by Western Digital. If you need something with more meat and potatoes check out the MyBook Live Duo. Either way you won’t be disappointed. 
Both devices are locally available at your neighborhood Staples as well, so stop in and check them out. Pricing starts at just $149.99 for 2TB of storage for the MyCloud and $179.99 for the 3TB. The MyBook Live Duo pricing starts at $359.99 for the 4TB with RAID storage and offers a 6TB at $459.99, and an 8TB at $559.99. Remember the key word was monthly price gouge. These prices are very reasonable for what you are getting and at a one time cost. Also consider Western Digital offers anywhere from 3 to 5 years of warranty service.
The MyCloud storage allows for access across all platforms with apps in the app stores of both iOS and Android. It requires very minimal installation and setting up is quick and easy, although they do provide customer support if needed. There are also available downloads for your PC and Mac. Western Digital has thought of it all. You can use your current DropBox, Google Drive and SkyDrive account. The only requirements are as follows.
- Personal cloud access with the My Cloud app requires a My Cloud, My Book Live, My Book Live Duo or My Net N900 Central with the most recent firmware.
- Access to cloud services requires the My Cloud app and an active Dropbox, Google Drive or SkyDrive account.
- iOS iPhone or iPad running versions 5.0 or later software.
- Android smartphone or tablet running versions 2.3 or later software.
- Personal cloud access with the My Cloud app requires a My Cloud, My Book Live, My Book Live Duo or My Net N900 Central with the most recent firmware.
- Access to cloud services requires the My Cloud app.
- Mac OS X Mountain Lion version 10.8, Lion version 10.7 and Snow Leopard version 10.6 or higher.
- Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (SP 3) 32 or 64 bit.
