Not all external hard drives are easy to transport, especially the 3,5-inch models don't fit in any trouser pocket. The specimens with a size of 1,8 inches, like this one, are really mobile Transcend ESD400, which we are using as an output 1 TB examine extensive data volumes more closely. The manufacturer promises high speeds thanks USB 3.0 great speed Of course, the (noticeably slower) ports with USB 2.0 can also be used for the connection. An SSD works inside the case, which noticeably reduces the weight of the external data carrier. In the following lines, we reveal whether the little memory dwarf keeps what it promises.
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface supporting UASP (USB Attached...
- Read up to 410MB/s; Write 380MB/s
- MLC NAND flash memory
What's in the box
- Transcend ESD400
- Manual
- USB Cable (3.0)
- Silikonhülle
processing / design
The Housing is made of plastic, which is also a good thing, since otherwise the feather-light weight would hardly have been feasible. This data carrier weighs a mere 56 grams – that's just under half a bar of chocolate. The top of the Transcend ESD400 1TB feels smooth and isn't particularly fingerprint resistant either. We found the diamond pattern and the reflective manufacturer's logo to be pretty. As a result, the external SSD a futuristic look. The underside, on the other hand, looks unspectacular, just as you know other models; rough plastic and a label with the most important specifications. A status LED in blue can be found on the top left, the USB 3-0 port is on the top. Next to it is the button for creating a backup. We were quite impressed by the workmanship and by the low weight.
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface supporting UASP (USB Attached...
- Read up to 410MB/s; Write 380MB/s
- MLC NAND flash memory
Hardware
We opted for the 1 TB version, but if you need more space, you can also use the two larger versions with 512 GB. Thanks to SSD technology, operation is silent and the backup button is a welcome extra. Transcend Elite data backup software lets you set desired options for backing up files. The manufacturer also offers data manager software free of charge. Measuring 92 millimeters in height, 62 millimeters in thickness and 10,5 millimeters in depth, the Transcend ESD400 1 TB is very compact. The SSD draws its power directly from the USB port via 5V. In addition to the common Windows operating systems, Apple computers are also used Mac supports. The OS can be either 32-bit or 64-bit. Transcend states the speeds of its external hard drive as 410 Mb/s for writing and 380 Mb/s for reading. We describe whether these values are actually correct in the test results.
Test results
- Speed 449 Mbit/s when writing
- Speed 252 Mbit/s when reading
Other
Numerous specialist magazines gave the Transcend ESD400 1 TB a good rating, it is rare to find such a fast, portable SSD with a chic design and compact size. The guarantee period of 3 years is also exemplary. The service life is given as 1.000.000 hours. Internal is the external hard drive By the way, connected to the SATA III standard, which enables a transfer rate of up to 600 Mbit/s.
Conclusion on the Transcend ESD400 1 TB
Small but mighty, that's the best way to describe the Transcend ESD400 1 TB. A 1,8-inch SSD can be stowed anywhere and, thanks to its 56 grams, it is hardly noticeable in your pocket. Any current Smartphone weighs about three times that of this external storage solution. The speed is also right, even higher values are achieved when writing than specified by the manufacturer. Only the read rate could be a bit higher, but that's complaining on a high level. The SSD can currently be purchased for well under 100 euros, which is a really fair price in terms of performance. Therefore we can definitely recommend the Transcend ESD400 1 TB. However, you should already have a USB 3.0 interface in order to be able to fully exploit the disk's performance.
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface supporting UASP (USB Attached...
- Read up to 410MB/s; Write 380MB/s
- MLC NAND flash memory
