What to do with a WD My Book Thunderbolt Duo 8TB?

[godforbids]

I was recently gifted one of these. The SKU is WDBUSK0080JSL-NESN. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how I might use this, as nothing in my house has Thunderbolt. I had some ideas but came up empty on finding the hardware and software needed to implement them, so I'm hoping AT forum-goers can point me in the right direction

1) If I had an 802.11ac router with a TB port I could share the enclosure on my LAN

2) If I had a PCIe or other adapter I could use it with my ASRock H77M-based desktop

3) I'd like to make a RAID1 array and partition part of it for use with Time Machine and part of it for whatever-Windows-backup-software-works-most-like-Time-Machine (I mean supports automatic full and incremental backups, and restoring a GPT/UEFI formatted SSD install of Win8 x64 without choking).

4) I could just rip out the drives (not sure what kind yet) and plug them in my PC "for now" as a last resort

Let me know what you know

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If I had a use for the external storage, I'd probably get a thunderbolt card.

Or I'd sell it.

I've used EaseUS for backups on my Windows machine. It's alright.

 

[godforbids]

I appreciate your input. Do you have any specifics on Thunderbolt cards? The only info I've found implies THEY DON'T EXIST besides ASUS' add-in cards which only work with limited ASUS motherboards anyway.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I appreciate your input. Do you have any specifics on Thunderbolt cards? The only info I've found implies THEY DON'T EXIST besides ASUS' add-in cards which only work with limited ASUS motherboards anyway.

They exist, or will be existing in the coming months, but it's very dependent on the motherboard you have.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Dang, that thing cost like $500-600. I can get a USB3 4TB from Costco for $150. I say sell it and go buy a couple of USB3 4TB units from Costco.

 

[Essence_of_War]

They exist, or will be existing in the coming months, but it's very dependent on the motherboard you have.

Pretty sure they don't presently exist unless you have a motherboard with a Thunderbolt header, right?

 

[godforbids]

They exist, or will be existing in the coming months, but it's very dependent on the motherboard you have.

Thanks for the reply. Again, any specifics would be appreciated. I searched around before asking the question on AT and contrary to my low post count here I've been tinkering in PC hardware for 20+ years.

i.e. tell me something I don't know, please

 

[godforbids]

Dang, that thing cost like $500-600. I can get a USB3 4TB from Costco for $150. I say sell it and go buy a couple of USB3 4TB units from Costco.

It was a gift, so I'm not going to do that. Besides, in a few years hopefully TB will be the new FireWire 800 and be everywhere for cheap. I'd rather keep this futureproof (too futuristic??) enclosure until such time, I just need a use for it in the meantime.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Buy a Mac to go with it.

 

[godforbids]

Buy a Mac to go with it.

Cute. Any other suggestions?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Do you need the storage right now? If not, it might be worth selling on eBay or elsewhere and then using that money for something else.

I can't find any PCI-E Thunderbolt cards either so I think if you want to keep the drives, your options are 1) wait for a PCI-E card to be released or 2) pull the drives out of the chasisis. Personally I wouldn't wait for a Thunderbolt card so I'd either sell it or pull the drives. BTW, those drives are likely WD 4 TB Green drives and if you're really lucky, maybe 4 TB Red drives.

EDIT: Just read this:

It was a gift, so I'm not going to do that. Besides, in a few years hopefully TB will be the new FireWire 800 and be everywhere for cheap. I'd rather keep this futureproof (too futuristic??) enclosure until such time, I just need a use for it in the meantime.

In that case, pull the drives. Thunderbolt is having adoption issues right now and I'm not sure it will ever be as big as FireWire at this point.

Also, there is nothing wrong with exchanging a gift if it doesn't work out for you -- can you do that?