Do I need to plug in both usb cables on a external HD?

Hi guys, I got a Comstar 500GB 2.5" USB powered external hard drive for Christmas. It came with a USB Y Cable and my question is do I have to plug in both USB cables to see maximum performance? Or is the Y cable for computers that provide lower bus power to their USB ports and so need 2 cables for the drive to function properly? Is the second USB cable necessary for the MBP (Late 2008)?
I realize I could easily test this myself but I don't want to open it yet because I am thinking about exchanging it for a WD passport instead (which only comes with 1 USB plug).
Thanks in advance for your help!

The second USB plug is there to provide an additional source of power for the drive. It does not have the data lines connected to the hard disk. The manufacturer felt that 0.5 ampere was a marginal power source for the hard disk so you should always plug both cables in so the drive has 1 ampere at it's disposal. With only one cable connected, you run the risk of the USB port being overloaded and shutting down which may corrupt the data on the hard disk.

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