The Western Digital 'My Cloud' network storage device brings you fast performance, a nice low price, and is very easy to use. An added bonus: it also features a solid cloud feature. However, you'll find its streaming functionality within the My Cloud app a bit restricting.

Looking for something similar to the Seagate Central? Here it is. Besides introducing the cloud, it also offers USB 3.0 port. It's a speedy little NAS server, and you'll find the price incredibly appealing as a home user!

Design

In terms of looks, it's similar to Western Digital's prior NAS server offerings: the familiar look of the original My Book, like a book standing up on a bookshelf. Inside the compact, book-like case is a 3.5-inch hard drive.

There is a blue LED light on the front of the case which is solid when it is connected and powered up, and flashes when there is data being transmitted. The back features a Gigabit Ethernet port, power connection port, and USB 3.0 port. Inside the box: power adapter, Quick Setup guide, and a network cable.

The setup is not complicated at all. In fact, it's so easy, you might not even need that setup guide! Simply connect the power cord and plug the network cable into your router. That's it! You're done.

Features

There are three folders included out-of-the-box: Public; SmartWare; and Time Machine Backup. They do pretty much what they say they do. The Public folder stores data that is available publicly, and the other two are to keep backups of your Windows (SmartWare) and Mac (Time Machine) systems.

Once you have it all connected, any device connected to the network can access the My Cloud. It instantly appears as a read/write source on Windows machines, and on Mac machines, you'll see it in the Finder and as an option for Time Machine Backup. No work on your part is necessary!

With the My Cloud mobile app (Android and iOS), you are able to connect to the drive if you are connected to the same network. However, once you connect that initial time, you are able to access the My Cloud everywhere you go thanks to your cellular connection or alternate Wi-Fi network. Pretty neat!

Accessibility

In terms of the Dashboard Web interface used to access features and settings of the My Cloud, it is easy to use. There are six tabs: Home; Users; Shares; Cloud Access; Safepoints; and Settings. Each of these tabs takes you to a place to customize the associated features.

Cloud Access brings you to a page to sign up for an account at WDMyCloud.com, giving you the ability to set up accounts for each user of the server, as well as setting up a password for the mobile app. This account is kind of like your own personal VPN network, giving you access no matter where in the world you are.

Streaming is lacking, allowing you to stream only content supported by the device you are using. Basically, you can stream music.

At $150 for 2TB of space, it's definitely a great value.