With the SanDisk Portable SSD, the well-known manufacturer SanDisk has presented a compact hard drive that can be taken along when traveling and used at home, which not only looks pretty, but also extremely robust is. We took a closer look at the record, which costs around 100 euros, and will tell you in our test report below whether and for whom the purchase is worthwhile.
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What's in the box
The scope of delivery of the SanDisk Portable SSD is comparatively manageable - even much more manageable than we would have imagined. It is striking that SanDisk only included a USB cable with its compact hard drive, which enables connection to a USB-A input. The USB-C to USB-C cable, which is now used much more frequently, is not included in the scope of delivery and must be purchased separately from retailers if required. Otherwise, the portable SSD only comes with a small warranty guide that offers all the important information about the 3-year warranty for the external hard drive - we see the latter as very positive.
- SanDisk Portable SSD hard drive
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- warranty booklet
processing / design
The design of the SanDisk Portable SSD is one of its big plus points, because SanDisk has put a lot of attention to detail into the presentation. The Housing comes with a perforated front and has rounded corners that look a little like a small Smartphone remember. Although the case makes a very elegant impression, it is still extremely robust, which means that the portable SSD lives up to its name and can also be transported without any problems on longer journeys. The manufacturer specifies a maximum height of two meters from which the hard drive can fall to the ground without damaging the data stored on it.
Of course, this doesn't mean that you can hurl the record to the ground at full speed - but it should definitely survive a fall out of your backpack or trouser pocket without any problems.
So that you don't have to fall in the first place, the SanDisk Portable SSD has a fixed loop in the upper right corner, which you can use to attach the disk to a key ring, belt or backpack zipper, for example. Since the loop is made of durable rubber, rapid wear and tear is almost impossible, so you can carry it with you on the go with a clear conscience. Alternatively, you can simply put the portable SSD in your trouser pocket, because with its compact dimensions of 9,7 x 4,7 mm, it is also ideal for this type of transport. If there is any reason for criticism at all, it is probably in the integrated connection for the USB cable: It is not in the lower middle area like on many other external hard drives, but on the right side. Whether you classify this as an advantage or disadvantage, everyone can decide for themselves.
- The external hard drive with SSD technology is the ideal solution to...
- You can always rely on the mobile SSD and in all your adventures the...
- The robust attachment loop made of hard-wearing rubber helps...
Hardware
The SanDisk Portable SSD comes with a storage capacity of 1 TB therefore and thus enables the storage and carrying of countless files. Alternatively, the model is still available with a memory size of 2 TB, which, however, almost doubles the price. We would have liked to have saved a few euros by going for the larger version - but at least both models have already fallen sharply in price compared to the RRP.
The manufacturer specifies the official read speed of the SanDisk Portable SSD as up to 520 MB/, which is a very convincing value. Of course, it is important that this value is actually achieved in practice, which is why we naturally subjected the hard disk to a speed test. The result was extremely positive, because at around 515,5 MB/s, the SanDisk Portable SSD comes impressively close to its promised top speed. As expected, there are smaller cuts in the write speed, but the external hard drive is also impressive here with a top speed of up to 448 MB/s.
Incidentally, it is interesting that you do not necessarily need a modern USB 3.2 connection in order to get the most out of the portable SSD: the disk “only” has a USB 3.1 connection anyway and even delivers with one USB 3.0 Input on the PC or laptop excellent speed values - here you only have to lose around 20 percent in transmission speed. On the other hand, if you use the disk on a USB 3.2 port, there are no improvements in speed, so you can enjoy optimal performance even with a USB 3.1 port.
Specifications
| Size | 2,5 inch |
| Color | black, orange |
| Storage | 1TB, 2TB |
| Speed | 520 MB / s |
| Connection | USB 3.1 |
Test results
USB 3.1
| write speed | 448MB/sec |
| reading speed | 515,5MB/sec |
Other
If you want to store sensitive data on the SanDisk Portable SSD, you should be happy that SanDisk delivers powerful encryption software that is stored directly on the hard drive. The program goes by the name of SanDiskSecureAccess and makes it possible to encrypt the entire hard drive and the data stored on it - access is then only possible with a previously selected password. However, the optical presentation of the encryption software is not only outdated at first glance, because the design does not look really modern and appealing. In any case, instead of an encryption tool from a hard drive manufacturer, we would prefer to use an alternative program that belongs to the open source software category - such as the one that is highly valued in specialist circles VeraCrypt.
Conclusion
The SanDisk Portable SSD is an extremely compact hard drive that can easily be carried in any trouser pocket, but can also be attached to a backpack or belt thanks to its creative loop. In terms of its build quality, the external disk can get a good grade, although it is unfortunately not protected against water and dust - but at least it survives falls from a great height without permanent damage.
The SanDisk Portable SSD is also definitely convincing in terms of writing and reading speed, since the reading speed at least comes extremely close to the maximum values specified by the manufacturer. The hard drive does not actually have any serious defects, but it is quite surprising that no modern USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the scope of delivery. Incidentally, the SanDisk Portable SSD could also be interesting for users who do not have a modern USB 3.2 connection on their PC or laptop: The hard drive itself is equipped with a USB 3.1 input and delivers the same speed at the associated connection as with USB 3.2.
All in all, we liked the SanDisk Portable SSD hard drive very much in all important areas, so that we can heartily recommend the purchase of this compact storage medium. With a price of only 0,1 cents per MB, it is also pleasantly inexpensive to buy for an SSD and therefore also a real bargain.
- The external hard drive with SSD technology is the ideal solution to...
- You can always rely on the mobile SSD and in all your adventures the...
- The robust attachment loop made of hard-wearing rubber helps...
