Copying data, backing up data or simply removing some photos from your phone has been made super simple with the cloud (internet). However, what if you have no internet access, insufficient allowance, or want to keep a copy of your data yourself. For this very purpose, we have reviewed the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD
What is SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD?
The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD is an external super fast solid state hard drive built to fit in your pocket. It is resistant to dropping, dust and water.
WHY should you consider a Portable SSD?
The Extreme Pro allows you to access your data files anywhere and anytime as long as you can plug it into a supported smartphone or PC. This tiny drive easily fits in your pocket or can hang from your backpack, meaning where you go, it goes. It connects via a cable and draws its power from your device, so no internet or mains power is required. You can carry a large amount of data in 1TB, 2TB or 4TB capacities.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro suits photographers or anyone creating large amounts of data on the run. It also lends itself nicely to backing up your small office data and taking it home with you each night rather than transporting traditional bulky hard drives. Data not on the internet is harder to steal or encrypt via ransomware.
What is in the Box?
The drive measures approximately 1cm x 6cm x 11cm and weighs less than 90 grams making it very easy to slip into a pocket. It is made with a forged aluminium chassis that protects the drive and is handy for dissipating heat. The heat dissipation allows consistent transfer speeds of up to 2000MB/s for both read and write, which is about as good as you will get with an external drive. A rubber coating on its exterior means the drive can survive a 2m fall and is IP55 water and dust resistant.
Included in the box are both a USB -C and a USB-A cable allowing you to connect to different devices.
Priced from $399, Western Digital, who owns the SanDisk brand, is so confident in the product that it comes with a 5-year warranty.
Using the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD
SBA tested the 1TB model and found the hard drive in our latest Dell notebook could not keep up with the SanDisk. Large video files are copied across as if they were single photos. Thus, this SSD will minimise the time taken to transfer data.
If I was uploading files to the internet via the NBN, I could do this at a maximum speed of 20MB/s, given my average NBN plan. This means SanDisk has the potential to transfer the data 100 times faster.
The drive is so fast that we can edit video straight off and to the drive without storing any video footage on the PC’s drive.
An unexpected benefit of this drive is that I can connect the USB-C cable straight to my Android Oppo smartphone. The phone powers the drive when connected; if I needed to remove photos, it is as simple as copy and paste. I transferred 1329 photos in less than 15 seconds.
For those who want to keep the data safe on the drive. Software is included for PC and Mac that allows 256-bit AES hardware encryption which will keep your data private with password access.
Our Take SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD review
For users who own a compatible Android phone and take lots of videos and photos, this is the new thumb drive from 10 years ago. Being able to transfer data at blazing speed, encrypt it and know the storage device can take a battering in the elements is peace of mind for your data.
Small businesses can use the Extreme PRO Portable SSD to quickly and easily keep a backup of their most important data and take it home with them each night in their pocket. This ensures that data can be restored and business continuity continues if disaster strikes.