Our take
The HP Personal Media Drive HD5000S combines an ordinary external USB 2.0 setup with a more unusual possibility: insertion into certain specially designed HP PC drive bays. The exact-model retailer page lists 500GB, 7200rpm, hot-swap behavior and an AC adapter, while HP's guide explains that a compatible bay supplies internal USB and power. This is not a universal bay standard. Confirm the exact computer model and bay before planning around that feature, or use the drive externally with the correct adapter. Old Sonic software and operating-system fields do not establish current support.
A buyer who needs a legacy 500GB USB 2.0 drive or has verified one of the compatible HP media-drive bays.
It is not a fit for bus-powered use without an outlet, a generic desktop bay, a current software requirement, or a large multi-terabyte archive.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The exact HD5000S sources identify a 500GB external HDD with USB 2.0 and a 7200rpm listing.
- HP documents external power and a special internal bay arrangement for selected compatible HP PCs.
- Hot-swap behavior is described for the external PC connection and HP's compatible bay context.
What to weigh up
- The standard external arrangement uses an AC adapter, so it does not meet a no-outlet requirement.
- The bay feature is limited to specific HP desktop models and cannot be assumed from an ordinary PC bay.
- The included Sonic backup software and old Windows requirements are historical and do not prove current support.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | HD5000S |
|---|---|
| Advertised capacity | 500GB nominal capacity |
| Drive configuration | External HDD; 7200rpm listed; exact model HD5000S |
| Host connection | USB 2.0; AC adapter for external use; select HP bay use documented |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 14, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
A 500GB drive with two different setup paths
Best Buy identifies model HD5000S as a 500GB external USB 2.0 Personal Media Drive, and HP's guide describes the product as a portable external hard disk. In a standard external setup, the manual lists a USB cable plus a separate power adapter and cord. Some HP desktops instead have a specially designed drive bay with internal USB and power connections. Those are different ways to use the drive, not a universal promise that any 3.5-inch bay will accept it. Keep the exact model code and computer compatibility check together when deciding if the bay feature matters. ([HP User's Guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00447792.pdf), checked 2026-10-14.)
USB 2.0 is the documented external host connection
The exact-model listing specifies USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 backward compatibility. That gives a clear older host interface, but it is not a current compatibility certification and not a measured copy speed. Confirm the cable and port on the actual unit. The 7200rpm figure is a spindle specification, not evidence that this older HDD will outperform a newer model in real file transfers. If the use is retrieving files from an older computer, the connection may be useful; if the workflow involves frequent large transfers, compare newer USB models that meet the host and capacity needs.
The HP bay is a specific compatibility feature
HP's manual explains that certain desktop PCs include a purpose-built Personal Media Drive bay with internal USB and power. It can allow removal and insertion without turning off the PC, which HP calls warm swappable. The manual also warns users not to move the computer while the drive is inserted or connected. This feature should be used only after confirming the exact HP desktop model and bay. It is not proof that the drive fits a standard drive cage, a different brand's enclosure, or every HP computer. The internal bay path avoids external cables, but the separate USB setup remains available where supported.
Power and old bundle details need care
The normal external package described by HP includes a power adapter and power cable. That makes the external unit outlet-dependent rather than bus-powered. The special HP bay has its own internal USB and power connections, but that does not turn the external configuration into a one-cable travel drive. HP and the retailer also list Sonic backup software and old Windows versions; these are historical package details, not current downloads or present operating-system support. Check the offered unit for the adapter, the bay rails or connectors if relevant, and a return path if the computer does not recognize it.
Who should shortlist it
This model makes the most sense for a buyer who needs a modest 500GB legacy USB disk or already owns an HP desktop with the matching media-drive bay. Someone without a verified bay should treat it as an external drive and provide an outlet. A buyer seeking a current primary backup should compare newer capacity and interface options instead. The historical Amazon ASIN is not a verified current offer, and the condition of an individual used drive is unknown. Use the tagged exact-model search, confirm the HD5000S label, and do not rely on the old software as a reason to choose it.
Compare for your needs
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Before you buy
Will it fit any desktop drive bay?
No. HP documents bays in certain specially designed HP PCs. Check the exact computer model and bay; it is not a universal desktop bay standard.
Does external use need a power adapter?
HP's guide lists a power adapter and cable for the external setup. The special HP bay provides internal USB and power on compatible computers.
Is Sonic Backup MyPC SE current software?
The sources describe it as an original software disc. They do not establish present availability or support on current operating systems.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP Personal Media Drive User's Guide with exact-model retailer corroboration ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- Best Buy exact HD5000S listing; lines 1282–1316 identify model, 500GB, USB 2.0, 7200rpm, hot-swap use, adapter and compatible HP bays ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP Personal Media Drive User's Guide; page 5 lists USB cable and power adapter; pages 7–8 describe the specially designed HP bay's internal USB and power connection ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.