Life is in the fast lane these days, and everything is on the go; offices are no more a 4X4 square space; they are as much on the table outside a coffee shop or the new place you are traveling to. Speed and accessibility are essential for work because your data needs to be carried safely and ready whenever you need it. Things are changing, and so is portable means of storage with SSD.
SSD’s (Solid State Drive) is more compact, durable, and faster than hard drives. Unlike spinning magnetic disks in a hard drive, SSD’S save data on flash memory cells. The flash memory cells are non-volatile memory, which means the data is protected and stays even when the power is cut off. So, let’s dive into the details to find the one that’s the best fit.
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The options are plenty; the variety is wide. Let's understand a few basics that shall help you opt for the aptest drive as per your requirement.
There are two types of External SSD's – SATA and NVMe. The former is the older generation. NVMe is a new and advanced generation of SSD. Not to complicate things, a simple understanding to differentiate between two is to look at transfer speeds. SATA based drive supports transfer speed up to 500Mbps whereas NVMe based supports the speed of 800mbps or higher.
NVMe based tends to be more expensive, and if your usage doesn’t involve the frequent transfer of large files like video files for your clients or pictures from a recent photoshoot, SATA based is more optimal to buy; With time, their costs have come down, and are more value for money. Check for specifications related to their type at the back of the package before you buy one.
There are different but confusing generations of USB interfaces available USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 Gen 1, and the list goes on. To make it simpler, USB 3.0 and 3.1 are now rebranded as USB 3.2 with different generations. So, USB 3.0/3.1 is now USB 3.2 Gen1 that offers transfer speeds up to 5Gbps.
With USB 3.2 Gen2X1 (Also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2), you get speeds up to 10Gbps. There is a new generation USB 3.2 Gen2X2 that supports speed up to 20Gbps. An important aspect to note, you need to have the same interface on your system to take advantage of the speed.
There are a few SSD’S with thunderbolt ports; they offer a rate up to 40Gbps; they are like USB- C port with the little lightning bolt on port and cable connector. Such SSD’s work only when connected in thunderbolt specific ports. Do check for the lightning bolt logo.
SSD’s are not cheap compared to HDD that are available at throwaway prices. The first rule to keep in mind is to calculate the cost per gigabyte you get. The larger the storage, the more value per rupee it gives. But, SSD’s get very expensive as the storage size increases like 1TB and above. The size varies from as small as 120GB to a massive 4TB.
If your usage involves big files and transfers very frequently, 500GB is a sweet spot. If you have a vast gaming library or movies and work-related files, 1TB is a useful storage option. Opt for 2TB when you need more room for your files, backups, and collections, for which 1TB falls short.
New generation SSD’s are compatible with the latest operating system available across the board, from windows to macs. Certain users still rely on older versions of operating systems like Windows 7 or Mac Mavericks OS; They need to be watchful before buying a new external SSD.
Specific SSD’s are not compatible with the older operating system, and it’s all a hassle to return and look for new ones and spend more time to get the right one. Thoroughly check for specs and look at your operating system compatibility.
Extra protection for your data drive is never a bad option. SSD’s are more durable than HDD; a fall or bump won’t make your drive prone to data corruption. Adding a specific extra external layer of protection against travel abuse and abrupt shocks is a worthy expense. Specific drives offer dust resistance, shockproof capability, as well as water resistance certified protection.
For people on the go- business commuters, travelers, freelancers, and out of box rugged external SSD makes more sense. Even if you opt to go for a non-rugged drive, we recommend buying a case to protect your storage drive. There are aftermarket covers and cases available.
Samsung hit out of the park with the new T7 external SSD. It is one of our top selections for your portable storage need. Data is a crucial aspect, and Samsung acknowledges the fact. The SSD comes with a fingerprint scanner for an extra layer of security. It is the only external SSD with this level of security.
Light and compact, it is the perfect fit for professionals and content users. It is equipped with the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2. As loved by users, it is also called a mini beast. As claimed by users, it can touch speeds up to 1000 Megabytes per second. It's the perfect combination of speed and security.
Sibling of T7 500GB, it is our second best choice for storage needs. The addition of fingerprint security is a game-changer, and we can't stress that enough. Loaded with 1 TB storage, it is one of the best drives available to backup loads of data without running out of space and with added speed and security.
Available in two different colors: black, and silver, the drive is encased in a sturdy metal body for protection against damages and shocks to an extent. With blazing writing speed and enabled with additional hardware encryption. It is one of the best 1TB choices for storage out there. For users looking for space, go with it as it comes with 2TB storage as well.
Seagate Firecuda is an NVMe based SSD. Made especially for gamers; the disk is super fast. The design is compact and great looking with its cuboid characteristics. With 1 TB onboard and the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2. All your gaming titles can be stored without a hitch.
Though there is no native password protection, Seagate has bundled a 3-year rescue data recovery option for hassle-free experience. The SSD is a take-it-anywhere drive with its solid build and design. For aesthetic and fun, it comes with RGB led as well.
Sandisk's new 1TB SSD is a trendy and rugged SSD to take on travel wear and tear on your trip to any place. The design is very travel-friendly to either hook up with your bag or store it in your bag. The rugged design is water and dust resistant as it is certified to take on drops up to a height of 2m.
There's 128bit AES encryption on board as well for added security of your data. The drive can touch transfer speeds up to 550MBps for fast and efficient movement of files. It is one of the favorable choices for frequent travelers and people on-the-go.
T5 500GB is a very well priced portable SSD. The T5 is one of the drives priced well and doesn't miss out on functions. It is very compact and stylish to move and carry anywhere. Encased in a metal casing, it can bear travel abuse and shock with ease. So freelancers who work while travelling, this product can be a good fit.
For security, password provision and AES 256bit hardware encryption are on board. Despite so many features, the drive weighs barely 51 grams. With transfer speeds up to 540MBps, it is a well-built drive from a speed and security perspective.
The Barracuda Fast 2 TB SSD is a considerable choice for those looking for above 1TB storage options. With its matte finish, flat design, and lightweight, it is easy to carry and place on your work table. The drive can touch speeds up to 540-550Mbps for fast transmission.
The drive comes with Seagates's 3-year data rescue service to regain your data in case of loss. For big gaming titles, movie collections, backups, trip memories, and more, its sufficient space and speed are a plus. The drive has received good reviews
from many users about its design.
Another SSD from the WD lineup, My passport SSD 500GB, is one of the only drives with a 5-year warranty on board. The drive is based on the NVMe platform and can touch transfer speed upwards of 1000MBps. The hard casing is shock and vibration resistant and capable of shocks up to 6.5 Feet.
The drive comes enabled with password protection and hardware encryption for an added layer of security. Though loaded with features, it is lightweight and stylish to carry around easily.
Adata storage drives are one of the best-rugged storage drives. The Taiwanese giant's SE800 is another model of great durability. The drive is ready to take on abuse on a good level. It is IP68 waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof as well. If you're a regular traveler and always on the go professional, it is one of the best-rugged drives
Equipped with the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2, speeds are blazing fast to get the transfer done in seconds. An additional bonus is it is backward compatible with USB 2.0, though speeds will lower down to match the interface, the compatibility is a bonus.
My passport is a famous Western Digital product line, majorly famous for HDD; it now has an SSD version. Loaded with 512 GB storage on board, it's a stylish and compact drive. The SSD is solid to withstand drops up to 6.5feet. It's pretty compact and lightweight to carry around places.
Loaded with password and hardware encryption bundled with transfer speeds above 550MBps it is a package well built. For working professionals, it is an optimal buy. Though priced on the higher end than similar drives in this price range, it is a well built and standout drive with many positive reviews in its favor.
Transcend is famous for there rugged HDD. They have come up with a sleek and stylish SSD, which is pleasing to look at and is compact. The drive is loaded with 480GB of storage space.
Equipped with Transcend elite software, the drive provides essential features like data backup management, password protection and more. For a simple and compact solution, this drive is a viable option.
We got more with us to offer you to be a smart consumer. If you are interested in hard drives more, check out our buying guide for it. We got guides on gaming monitors, mechanical keyboards, and more.
Data is precious in today's digital era, and fast and secured access to it is no more a luxury but a necessity. Buying the right one matters since it's more like an investment than an expense.
Author - Dhruv Manchanda
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