Being able to transfer files between your hard drive and desktop is becoming more and more important as time goes on. I know with my work, I don’t want to sit there for ages while I transfer 4K footage. Which is why I’ve started using portable SSDs in my workflow and today, I’ve got my hands on a SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 500GB SSD.
SanDisk claim that their new portable SSD can read with speeds up to 1050MB/s which is pretty quick by today’s standards. And thanks to a quick benchmark using CrystalMark, we managed to get 1082MB/s read, and 1052MB/s write speeds.
So why have I put up two benchmarks? Well, I wanted to point out an issue I was having on my desktop, so you don’t end up thinking something is wrong with the drive, like I did. Sorry SanDisk for wasting your time with my emails! The benchmark results on the right was when I was using my Asus Prime Z370-A II motherboard, which on the rear has two USB 3.1 Gen 2 inputs: one Type-A and one Type-C.
I believe this to be a BIOS issue, not recognising my USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports on my motherboard. I can’t be sure though, it doesn’t seem to be a common issue online. If anyone reads this and knows an answer, then don’t hesitate to comment below. I just wanted to point this out to your so you can understand what could happen with speedy SSD drives with certain hardware.
But, any case, this is a me problem, and not a you problem. So let’s get on with the review. The SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD drive is very small compared to the more traditional external HDD drives. The rear is covered in a soft to touch, almost rubbery like finish while the front has a plastic, carbon-fibre like design. The top right as a hook for a keyring so you can keep it on you. The whole thing is around the size of a stack of bank cards, so is pretty small to keep in a bag or even your pocket.
The drive itself came with a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, as well as a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, so you’re not limited in plugging it into a device, be it a MacBook or PC.
Online I could find the product for as much as £110 right through to around £133, so do make sure you shop around before purchasing to get the best price. The SanDisk Extreme Pro 500GB portable SSD is a nifty little product, and thanks to those decent transfer speeds, you won’t be waiting around long to get on with your work, or even work directly from the drive itself. For more information, head over to the SanDisk website.
