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Since we tested the Extreme Pro Portable SSD, SanDisk has released a second version that integrates USB 3.2 (opens in new tab) to get speeds of up to 2,000Mbps but looks exactly the same as its predecessor. The drive is a shade expensive, and the integrated carrying loop is too big to easily fit on a standard keychain. Otherwise, this is an excellent storage device that’s ideal for heavy everyday use. The SanDisk Secure Access application applies general encryption, too. Ok, how about speed? The USB 3.1 version of the Extreme Pro Portable SSD is rated for sequential reads of 1,050MBps, and in our own performance tests, it routinely came out at or near the top of the rankings. Suave looks? Its rounded corners, black-and-red coloration, delicately pockmarked front and soft-touch back give it an appearance and feel that are both thoroughly modern and refreshingly classic.
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No matter what you want from the best external hard drive, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD delivers it.Ĭonvenient design? It’s small and light enough to fit in your hand but not get lost in your pocket or bag. The best external hard drives you can buy today You can easily use it anywhere, and there’s a newer model that offers twice as much speed. If you’re willing to pay a premium, the best portable SSD hard drive is the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD (model number SDSSDE80). It’s also very speedy for a portable hard drive. It boasts heavy-duty protection against shocks, falls, water, dust and crushing. If you want something you can carry out of the house, the best portable external hard drive is the G-Technology ArmorATD.
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The drive needs to be plugged into a power outlet, but it’s fast and there are tons of capacity options all the way up to 18TB. Our own tests revealed that the best non-portable external hard drive is the WD My Book (model number WDBBGB), which offers the best balance of cost, capacity and other features. Some of these drives, especially the smaller SSD ones, have eye-catching designs and colors that could almost be considered fashionable. Many use the even faster USB 3.1 and 3.2 standards, and one even sports the super-speedy Thunderbolt 3 standard. Every model listed here uses at least the USB 3.0 standard, which offers read and write speeds many times faster than the old USB 2.0 drives. The good news is that these aren’t the slow, heavy external drives of the past. A large HDD-based external hard drive will do the trick for that, but if you want to create a second backup for peace of mind and keep that in a separate location, an SSD-based drive will be perfect. This is also true if you need to regularly back up your computer. This not only saves you time but potentially money as well.Ĭarrying an external hard drive in your backpack or pocket gives you continuous access to your files, regardless if you’re working from home or at the office. An external hard drive makes it easy to quickly and seamlessly transfer large files between your machines. If you have several computers but have a slow local connection, they’re absolutely crucial. The best external hard drives are some of the most useful devices you can own.
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