Half a terabyte of storage just got more portable with the introduction of Western Digital's My Passport Portable USB drive with 500GB capacity. Considering WD has recent rolled out 400 to 500GB hard drives for notebook computers recently, I guess this shouldn't come as a big surprise. The 500GB external hard drive tips the scale at less than seven ounces and can probably slip in most bags you have except tiniest ones.

WD's My Passport drives are bus-powered, slashing the need for an AC adapter. It's also installed with synchronization software so users can sync their files between hard drives and protects files using 128-bit encryption. Made to withstand bumps and shocks, the 500GB My Passport version will be available in cherry red, Westminster blue, titanium, and bronze with a $219.99 suggested list price.

Check out the WD 500GB My Passport Essential and My Passport Elite External hard drives.