5 things to consider before you buy a portable drive. What is a portable ssd

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The Best Portable SSDs for Videographers on the Move

Improvements in camera technology have resulted in huge files that can quickly fill a memory card. For filmmakers who need to capture every moment, having a full memory card is not an option. Fortunately, digital storage options continue to evolve and offer more capacity and faster speeds each year.

While external hard drives or hard drives are a cheap, high-capacity solution, they’re annoyingly slow. Hard drives are also heavier and rely on a mechanical drive to read and write data, making them vulnerable to damage when dropped.

Solid state drives (SSDs), however, are a better solution with blazingly fast read and write speeds. While you shouldn’t expect the jaw-dropping speeds of M.2 NVMe internal SSDs, external SSDs are much faster than drives, with some high-end drives reaching speeds of up to 1000MB / s or even 2000MB / s. Although they are more expensive than drives external hard drives, external SSDs are faster, lighter and less prone to damage from improper handling.

With the bigger and faster drives being released every year, it can be hard to keep up. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best external SSD drives available for filmmakers.

A Quick Explainer on USB Types and USB Transfer Standards

Before reading the drives below, you need to know a little about USB types and USB transfer standards, which are not the same thing. Understanding these concepts will help you choose the SSD that is right for you and your workflow.

This is a good visual guide to the different types of USB connections. Image via iunewind.

First, the connection type and the upload standard are two different things. The USB Type-A or USB-A connection is the one we’re all most familiar with, and it looks like a flat rectangle – the one that never connects on the first or second try. The newer USB Type-C or USB-C connection, which will replace USB-A as the dominant connection at some point, looks like a flat oval and connects in any orientation.

USB transfer standards determine the speed at which a connection is transferred. Previously, USB 3.1 Gen 2 was the fastest standard and had a data transfer rate of 10 Gb / s – gigabits per second, about one-eighth of a gigabyte. The new nomenclature replaces USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2. Drives using USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2 offer the same transfer speeds.

As long as your PC has a compatible port, you can make full use of the 10 Gbps speeds, which can vary from drive to drive. In most cases, drives using USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2 can be expected to have read and write speeds of around 1000 MB / s.

CNET has an even more thorough breakdown of annoying USB naming conventions, which is worth reading.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an external hard drive or SSD for your device. Including storage. It is important to invest in an external storage device that has enough capacity for your needs.

Choose the right connection

It all comes down to USB vs Thunderbolt now that other connection types are largely deprecated. Of course, you’ll want to get a drive that will work with your computer. So, if your computer has a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port (the most popular on pre-2016 Macs), you’ll want a Thunderbolt drive. On the other hand, since most computers have at least one regular USB port, getting a USB based drive is a safe bet. Some removable drives support both Thunderbolt and USB. However, if you intend to use the drive for at least a few years, even with new computers, make sure you have one that is future-proof by following the right connectivity trend.

And the trend is the USB Type-C (or USB-C) connector. This new type of connector is used by both the latest USB gadgets and all Thunderbolt 3 devices. In other words, all Thunderbolt 3 ports are USB-C ports. So if you buy a new computer now, it will likely have USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 ports. (This is true for all Mac computers released in 2016 and possibly those that will be released in the future.)

Note that a USB-C portable drive can work with both a USB-C port and a regular USB (aka USB-A) port via a compatible cable, but a non-USB-C portable drive will not work with a USB-C port unless that you have an adapter. That said, if you get a portable USB-C drive, it will work with all your existing and future computers. The only catch is that they’re generally more expensive now, but that’s likely to change in 2017.

Make sure it’s fast enough

Portable drives that use a solid state drive (SSD) to store data are usually super fast and great for heavy-duty tasks like editing an HD movie file. They can also be useful if you want to copy a large amount of data in a short time. But SSDs are also expensive. If performance is not that big of a concern for you, purchasing a portable hard drive (no SSD) will save you a lot of money. If all you do is watch a movie off disk or back up your data daily, speed won’t be your biggest concern.

Also, remember that Thunderbolt drives are generally faster than USB drives. And among USB drives, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gigabits per second) has twice the speed rating of USB 3.0 (or USB 3.1 Gen 1), which in turn is 10 times faster than USB 2.0.

Key Specifications – Type: Portable Hard Drive; Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (max. 5 Gb / s), USB-C; Spindle speed: 5400 rpm

Solid State Drive (SSD)

SanDisk Extreme PRO V2 Portable SSD in use | Photo: Dani Diamond

A solid-state drive also stores data, but uses other internal components. The name, solid state, refers to the fact that the SSD has no moving parts. Instead, the SSD uses two chips: a flash memory chip that stores data, and a controller chip. The controller chip manages the data and communicates with a computer or electronic device using the SSD.

While they may not be as efficient as hard drives, SSDs aren’t new. SanDisk founders filed a patent for flash memory as an alternative to a magnetic disk in 1989, and released the first commercial solid-state drive in 1991. The SSD had a capacity of 20MB and cost $ 1,000. Today, SSDs have much larger capacities and much lower price tags. They are used in smartphones, tablets, and some computers, including most Apple computers.

SSD vs HDD

The obvious advantage of an SSD is that it has no moving parts. As a result, the SSD is physically smaller and less prone to damage in the event of impact or shock. By using a microchip instead of an electromagnetic disk, an SSD can also read and write data faster than a hard disk.

The Extreme PRO V2 Portable SSD is SanDisk’s flagship SSD. The SSD weighs 77.5 g (0.17 lb) and comes in three sizes: 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB. SSD is water and dust resistant IP55, vibration up to 1500G and can withstand a drop from 2 meters. Extreme PRO V2 also has read and write speeds of up to 2000MB / s, double the previous generation. Each size costs $ 299.99, $ 499.99, and $ 899.99 respectively.

Conversely, most hard drives come with larger, heavier builds and much slower read and write speeds, around 130MB / s. They often have comparable water and drop resistance to SSDs, however this only applies when the hard drive is not in use. Internal moving parts mean the hard drive is more fragile when reading or writing data. The cost of a 1TB hard drive ranges from $ 70- $ 100.

The advantages of an SSD are obvious. It is smaller, more durable, and can read and write data 15 times faster than most hard drives. Each project faces unique challenges, but Extreme PRO V2 guarantees safer data storage and incredibly faster transfer times.

Moreover, as technology advances, SSDs have the potential to become a more evolved and dominant device. It will also help lower their price.

What is an SSD?

First, SSD stands for SSD. Solid-state drives have grown rapidly over the past few years. SSDs rely on electronic storage in non-volatile memory, which means that the stored data will not disappear when the computer is turned off.

Let’s put it this way, you most likely know USB memory sticks, right? Well, you can think of an SSD as a much larger and more advanced version of the memory card. Like a flash drive, the SDD has no moving parts. Instead, the data is stored in microchips.

On the other hand, a HDD (hard drive) uses a mechanical arm to carry and read data. A hard drive only uses physical labor / mechanical movement to get information, which in turn takes longer than an SSD. Makes SSD much faster.

What is a Hard Disk Drive?

The hard drive, known as the HDD, was invented more than 60 years ago. A hard drive is a storage device that consists of one or more rotating platters that use magnetism to store data. The read / write head hovers above the rotating platter that reads and writes information. The faster a hard drive can run depends on how fast the platter can spin. The larger the hard drive, the more platters can fit in it, which translates into more storage capacity.

You have to decide whether you are looking for an external storage device with a traditional hard drive or one that uses an SSD.

Typically, external hard drives are more affordable and, most importantly, come in larger capacities. However, SSDs, on the other hand, tend to be more durable and smaller. This makes SSDs extremely portable and easy to use on the go. If you want to store large amounts of information at a low cost, an external hard drive will be a good option for you. However, if speed is your top priority, we recommend choosing an SSD.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

Storage considerations:

There are many factors to consider when choosing an external hard drive or SSD for your device. Including storage. It is important to invest in an external storage device that has enough capacity for your needs.

Connection:

Another important factor to confirm is the connection between your external storage device and your Mac or PC. The USB-A ports found in older generations of computers are gradually being replaced with the new USB-C ports. New ports can be found on all modern Macs and PCs. So make sure you double-check your connection types when investing in a data storage device.

We can’t necessarily say if an external hard drive is better than an SSD as it all depends on your individual needs.

To help you decide which drive is best suited for you, we have listed the various requirements:

A Hard Drive might be the right choice if:

• You need a lot of storage space (up to 10 TB)
• I don’t want to spend a lot of money

An SDD might be the right choice if:

• You have the budget to pay for faster results
• Don’t worry about limited memory capacity (external hard drives are available in higher capacity)

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HDD vs SSD: what is the difference?

Hard Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD)? This question is asked by many photographers. A hard drive is typically much cheaper than an SSD, but an SSD is much faster.

In short, the hard drive is an older technology and uses moving parts to record data. In particular, it uses a series of mechanical parts in the form of rotating wheels and arms and a magnetic tape to record data.

An SSD is smaller, lighter, and much faster than a hard disk. This is because SSDs use flash chips to read and write data in multiple cells simultaneously. This makes them faster, but that speed comes at a price. SSDs are typically much more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs.

In addition, these flash cells wear out over time which means it’s good to have a backup of your backup.

SSD or HDD: which is best?

If all you are doing is storing an image archive for posterity, a hard drive is probably the best option for you. Mechanical parts are prone to wear and tear over time, but if it’s only for storing your photo archive, wear should be minimal. But hard drives are prone to shocks.

If you regularly back up and use an external drive as part of your daily or weekly workflow, you’ll likely need the size and read and write speed of your SSD.

Moreover, as technology advances, SSDs have the potential to become a more evolved and dominant device. It will also help lower their price.

The cloud is great. But if you need a lot of space, online backup is never enough. Downsides like intermittent broadband or frustratingly slow speeds mean local storage is essential. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a backup of your backups.

Portable SSD

The transfer speed of a portable SSD is four times higher than that of an HDD. It is compact and easy to carry, making it the best gadget for portable storage.

PD1000 SSD

Meet the high-speed portable SSD with comprehensive protection and excellent heat dissipation. Each use experience will be carefully cared for.

PD400 SSD

The light, compact and streamlined design of the PD400 external SSD creates an exceptional warm touch when held in your hand. It also creates an elegant and meticulous technological flavor.

PD700 PORTABLE SSD (EOL)

PD500 PORTABLE SSD (EOL)

SMART refers to Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, which is a built-in monitoring feature for SSDs and hard drives. This technology allows users to monitor the health and condition of their devices, and monitor and control performance using software specifically designed with SMART functionality in mind. All Teamgroup SSDs support SMART

TRIM is a system command. The Win7 operating system will notify the SSD of the data blocks that will no longer be used and can be deleted to free up space. This function, similar to garbage collection, is performed during idle time to optimize performance.

Due to flash write / erase time limitations, SSD firmware is designed with wear-leveling technology to extend product life and support time. Also referred to as memory block write / erase alignment, the wear conditions of each block are aligned equally to optimally extend the life of the product to meet system requirements.

If you want to copy a single file larger than 4 GB to the SSD, please format the SSD to NTFS format.
(Path: My Computer> Right-click SSD-> Select Format from the function menu> Select NTFS from File System> Press the Start button).
You can refer to the Microsoft Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463

SSD stands for Solid State Drive. A conventional hard drive is not a “liquid” hard drive; Solid state drive generally refers to a solid state drive consisting of NAND Flash memory. It has no mechanical structure and performs the transfer using an electronic signal compared to the rotary disk design used in conventional hard drives. It uses the features of conventional NAND Flash memory and consists of a control unit and a memory unit (FLASH chip). Data storage is achieved by combining two entities. The data is read and written in a block-type write and erase. Thus, reading and writing performance is highly dependent on the design of the reading and writing technology. The advantage is high speed, low energy consumption, vibration resistance.

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There are also USB-C SSDs which are pretty good and great for Full HD picture and video editing. And then you have Thunderbolt 3 drives like the Samsung X5 that are rocking at speed.

The best external hard drives to buy

1. Seagate Backup Plus: The best external hard drive

Price: £ 52 (1TB), £ 75 (2TB), £ 93 (4TB), £ 99 (5TB) | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re looking for maximum capacity for the lowest price but still want decent performance, Seagate Backup Plus is still our USB drive. This compact USB-powered unit comes in capacities ranging from 1TB to 5TB, with the 1TB and 2TB versions now available in the impressively slimline Slim version, while the 4TB and 5TB versions keep the older, slightly chunky form.

The cost effectiveness cannot be argued, and the speeds are not bad by hard drive standards, with sequential read speeds of 151MB / s and write speeds of 134MB / s. It’s a barebone drive with nothing but a USB-A cable and some drive tools, but the colorful fabric covers look great on your desk, and you get two or four months of Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photography plan are happy to work without SSD speeds, these rugged, dependable units will keep you protected.

Key Specifications – Type: Portable Hard Drive; Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (max. 5 Gb / s); Spindle speed: 5400 rpm

Seagate Backup Plus Portable, 5 TB, External Hard Drive HDD, Silver, USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 yr MylioCreate, 4 mo Adobe Creative Cloud Photography, 2 yr Rescue Services (STHP5000401)

Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Light Blue USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, 1 year MylioCreate, 2 Months Adobe CC Photography, 2-Year Rescue Service (STHP5000402)

$ 139.99 Buy it now

2. WD My PassPort Ultra: The best low-cost drive with USB-C

Price: £ 65 (1TB), £ 76 (2TB), £ 109 (4TB), £ 155 (5TB) | Buy now from Amazon

While it’s more expensive than Seagate Backup Plus and the old WD MyPassport, the refurbished Ultra has several advantages. Measuring 82 x 110mm, it’s still a very compact unit (albeit a bit chunky if you buy 4TB or 5TB drives), and like the cheaper My Passport, it does its job quietly and unobtrusively without much noise or fuss.

There is one good reason to replace this Seagate Backup Plus drive with USB-C support; Comes with the required cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for laptops and PCs that do not have a newer, smaller socket. Read and write times are still not spectacular, reaching 134MB / s and 126MB / s respectively, but are perfectly adequate for regular users. It’s worth paying a little extra for the LaCie Mobile Drive, but it’s a good and very affordable external hard drive.

Key Specifications – Type: Portable Hard Drive; Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (max. 5 Gb / s), USB-C; Spindle speed: 5400 rpm

WD 4 TB My Passport Ultra, Portable Hard Drive with Password Protection and Auto Backup Software, USB-C ready – Blue – Works with PC, Xbox X, Xbox S, PS4 and PS5

£ 102.95 Buy Now

WD 2TB My Passport Ultra Blue Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible – WDBC3C0020BBL-WESN

$ 79.99 Buy it now

The best external SSDs to buy

6. Samsung T7 Touch 1TB: Best external SSD with encryption

If data security is important to you, Samsung T7 is your best choice. It comes with built-in 256-bit AES encryption and can be unlocked very quickly with the touch of a finger, and thanks to its four-finger storage, you can share the drive with important family members.

It is also a fast device, offering USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gb / s and performing excellently in AS SSD speed tests. We observed sustained read and write speeds of 894 MB / s and 678 MB / s, both very impressive results. It’s great value considering speed and features, and if you’re not busy with fingerprint protection, you can find the regular Samsung T7 at even lower prices, with the same super slim aluminum design and identical performance. Either way, it’s a fantastic ride.

Key Specifications – Type: Portable SSD; Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (max. 10 Gb / s), USB-C; Spindle speed: not applicable

Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD – 2 TB – USB 3.2 Gen.2 External SSD Metallic Black (MU-PC2T0K/WW)

£ 249.98 Buy it now

7. Samsung Portable SSD T5: The best-value external SSD

Price: £ 89 (500GB), £ 107 (1TB), £ 285 (2TB) | Buy now from Amazon

The T5 Portable SSD brings USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds to Samsung external SSDs by doubling the maximum bandwidth of 5GB / s and dramatically improving speed with compatible devices. You need a device with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Samsung supplies both a USB-C cable and a USB-C to Type-A adapter, so you’re covered with any type of connection, and the device is small, 74 x 57mm, and just 11mm thick mm.

The drive also has built-in 256-bit AES encryption with password protection, making it a good option if you’re moving sensitive data or important files. The performance is certainly impressive. On a computer equipped with USB 3.2 Gen 2, you can expect sequential read / write speeds of up to 554MB / s and 519MB / s, and even in random 4K read / write tests that run smaller drives, we’ve seen a read / write speed of 298.4MB / s si 204.1 MB / s. The SanDisk Extreme Pro beats it at sequential speeds, but it’s still an incredibly fast external drive.

Key Specifications – Type: Portable SSD; Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (max. 10 Gb / s), USB C; Spindle speed: not applicable

Samsung T5 500 GB USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, Type-C) External Solid State Drive (Portable SSD) Alluring Blue (MU-PA500B)

£ 68.99 Buy Now

SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 1TB – Up to 540MB/s – USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive, Black (MU-PA1T0B/AM)

$ 109.99 Buy it now

8. Seagate Barracuda Fast SSD: A great value SSD that covers you against data loss

Despite its name, the Seagate Barracuda isn’t the fastest external SSD. Its rated value is only 540MB / s for reads and writes, and in our tests it returns a speed comparable to most other USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C drives we’ve tested, with an average of 498MB / s and 465MB / s for sequential reads and writes.