It doesn’t matter if you bought your computer 10 months or 10 years ago, somehow space disappears in an instant.
Whether it’s due to increasing files sizes, technological advancements, or simply the passage of time, sooner or later you’re going to want more space and an external SSD (solid state drive) is the perfect way to do so.
There are, of course, cloud services, but it’s best to keep your files in more than one place and especially one you can access even when there isn’t internet available. Additionally, SSD drives are compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. They’re also extremely fast, making for easy working and file transfers.
The 8 best external hard drives and SSDs for Mac and PC users in 2018 By Matt Hanson 2018-11-08T16:27:58Z Graphic design If you have lots of creative work to store, making sure you have the best external hard drive or SSD for your Mac or PC is essential.
In this buying guide, we’ll help you pick the best external SSD with different capacities such as 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB, and showcase some of our favorites along the way.
Read on for more!
Quick Summary
- If you need a versatile and sturdy drive designed for the future both in terms of storage and technology, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD 2TB is your best choice. Its smooth metal exterior houses crazy fast read and write speeds and use USB-C.
- Looking to store a large volume of files? The VectoTech Rapid External SSD can be up to 4TB in space, while also boasting plug-n-play functionality, a strong warranty, shock resistance, and a light profile.
- But if you only need a little bit of space, go for Western Digital My Passport SSD 1TB – it will make sure anything you need backing up isn’t lost anytime soon. Built-in encryption, backup syncing, and data recovery software keep you covered digitally, and the drive can withstand drops near the 6-foot mark.
Who Should Get This?
A portable SSD is a great investment whether you’re a power user or simply want to back up some important files, but if you’re not sure you need one, consider these questions:
- Do you normally work with video or image editing, digital rendering, or create other artistic files?
- Are you worried about the safety of your files on your computer or cloud servers and want to back them up securely?
- Has your computer been running slow lately due to the massive amount of old files that need to be offloaded?
- Do you value speed and cross-platform functionality?
If you can say “yes” to these scenarios, then you have a fairly good indicator that you would benefit from an external SSD drive. They work quickly and efficiently to create a safe space for your files.
If none of these seem like you though, or if you aren’t ready to commit to an SSD drive, you might be better served by a USB flash drive or HDD drive for storing your old and infrequently used files.
Best External SSD Drives: What to Look for?
Capacity
The number one thing to consider with any external drive is the amount of storage (e.g. 1TB, 2TB or 4TB) it will provide you with. Although an SSD is more expensive than an HDD and might tempt you to compromise on space, don’t let yourself!
As time progresses you will much rather have one large drive than several small ones that you purchase over time and you will almost certainly wish you had gotten more storage in the first place. Plus, using multiple drives can slow your computer down, so it’s best to get one that does it all.
Memory Type – MLC and SLC
SSDs use flash memory rather than a physical rotating disk to store information, making them more stable than HDDs that are susceptible to physical damage. However, they come in two cell types: multi-level cell and single-level cell.
MLC is cheaper and can store more data, but SLC has a lower likelihood of errors and therefore a higher accuracy. However, many SSDs include an error-correcting feature that will compensate for this difference, so it comes down to what you think will be best for your purposes.
Read & Write Speed
Any type of drive, including SSDs, have a rating for the time it takes to read and write information. The higher these numbers are, the better and more efficient the drive is.
However, you should make sure to remember that any advertised speeds are likely overclocked or best case scenario only and that under real-world conditions, you’ll experience speeds closer to around 2/3rds of the rating.
Additionally, don’t fall into the trap of an overpriced drive with only a slightly higher speed rating – in the end, it’ll have similar results to its competitors.
The Best External SSD Drives in 2019: Our Picks
Please note that the items recommended below are picked mainly based on 1). the criteria listed above 2). our own hands-on using experience 3). reputation research we did, mostly gathering industry benchmarking test reports.
Best 2TB External SSD: Samsung T5 Portable SSD
Offering a range of sizes from 250GB to 2TB, the versatile Samsun T5 has incredible read and write speeds of around 540MB/s and uses USB-C to connect to your computer. No USB-C port? Don’t worry – it also includes a USB-C to USB-A (the classic kind you know) cable in case you’re using an older model computer that doesn’t include this latest technology.
What We Like:
- USB-C connection allows you to use the drive with devices such as Android phones as well as your computer.
- Storage sizes available to fit the needs of almost every user, and the hard metal casing will withstand shocks and drops easily.
- Fits in the palm of your hand.
What We Dislike:
- None, this drive covers all of its bases.
Best 4TB External SSD Drive: VectoTech Rapid External SSD
Going to need a lot of space? The VectoTech SSD comes in up to 4TB of storage at an impressive 450MB/s read and write speed. With a three year warranty, you can rest assured that your data will be well protected and secure and not worry about drops or technological faults.
What We Like:
- Easy to use, all you have to do is plug and play (comes pre-formatted for PC).
- Very light at only around 4 ounces, and is shock resistant in order to better protect your data.
What We Dislike:
- Doesn’t offer built-in encryption software.
Best 1TB External SSD: Western Digital My Passport SSD Portable
Alternatively, those who don’t need huge amounts of storage will find the Western Digital SSD a fitting solution. It comes with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB sizes in new generation, with a sleek two-tone design and connects to your device with a USB-A or USB-C cable. Rated for 540 MB/s, an impressive stat.
What We Like:
- Built-in 256-bit encryption means you won’t need to look for 3rd party software to secure your sensitive information.
- Additionally, the drive can withstand drops to about 6 feet and includes features for auto-backing up your data to cloud services.
- This drive is built to protect your data at all costs.
What We Dislike:
- Requires some setup and is not “plug n play” easy to use on initial startup.
Additional Tips And Tricks
Still aren’t sure you need an external SSD? You can always try a cloud platform for storing your files before purchasing a physical drive. Dropbox and Google Drive both offer free trials and when you need more space, you can buy around a terabyte of storage space. This can help you figure out if you need constant or only occasional access to your files.
Do you know? March 31st is World Backup Day – an annual reminder to all of us to back up and protect our data. Here are a few surprising statistics you may not want to ignore:
- 30% of people have never backed up, 113 phones are lost or stolen every minute, 29% of disasters are caused by accident.
- 1 in 3 iPhones are lost, stolen, or damaged during their lifetime – that’s over 250M of the 795M iPhones active today.
So, let’s start to back up our data and do not let the data disaster strikes.
Conclusion
Having an external SSD with a decent capacity e.g. 1TB or 2TB can really improve your workflow by providing a safe place for huge amounts of files while leaving them available at your fingertips.
The fast read and write speeds will outperform any HDD on the market so you can access your documents in a flash, and you can improve the performance of your computer by offloading folders worth of data and clearing up space for a more efficient daily function.
What external drives do you use to manage all of your files? Leave us a comment below and tell us what you like and don’t like about any current drives you own!
Andreas is an Apple and Microsoft fanboy who works with his Mac and lives with a PC at home. While he is not reading technology journals, you’ll probably find him playing online games with friends or hiking in the wild.
SSD is the new way to add more power and storage to your MacBook Pro. Not only does it provide extra storage capacity but also powers up your computer through the technology. The space provided by Apple to its devices has always been disparaged. It becomes a hassle when you try to accommodate your precious information on your MacBook. To deal with this problem, you can consider MacBook Pro SSD (Solid State Drive).
SSD is more of a conventional hard disk that doesn’t have a disk in it. It is robust, light-weighted and spacious. However, it is important that you check if your device supports the SSD or not. In this blog, we’re going to suggest the best SSD for MacBook Pro that you can buy:
Best SSD For MacBook Pro
1. Samsung 850 Evo:
Samsung 850 Evo is one of the best SSD for MacBook Pro that has been designed with state of the art SSD including 3D V-NAND technology to provide faster speed. The benchmark speed of the item has been recorded at 524.4MBps reading and 512.1MBps of writing speed. With AES 256-bit encryption, Samsung 850 is available in the 120 GB, 250 GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB variants. One thing that you must know is that the Samsung 850 is an internal SSD. It means, you need to make sure about the size and the supported port prior to the purchase.
2. Buffalo Ministation Thunderbolt:
This external SSD is an easy method to add more storage to your machine. Buffalo Ministation Thunderbolt is a plug-and-play storage device that comes with a Thunderbolt connectivity to power your MacBook Pro with an unmatchable transfer speed. The USB 3.0 is also provided in order to let you connect it undersaly to other machines. With a speed of upto 10Gbps, Buffalo Ministation Thunderbolt is available from 1TB to 2TB storage space that you can choose accordingly.
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3. Toshiba Q300:
Toshiba Q300 is an internal SSD that is counted among the best in class read & write speed for MacBook Pro. It is a perfect pick for gamers due to its robust speed.The device delivers high precision data readout with Toshiba’s propriety Quadruple Swing-by Code ECC error correction technology. The SSD is equipped with a 2-bit-per-cell NAND flash technology that boosts the speed exceptionally. With a high endurance rating, Toshiba Q300 is available from 128GB to 512GB.
4. Samsung Portable SSD T3:
Samsung Portable SSD T3 is an external SSD but with a performance level of an internal SSD. The device has a metal body which is shock-resistant and offers a secure AES 256-bit encryption. The Samsung Portable SSD T3 is small in size, lightweight and compact that makes it handy to carry anywhere without any risk of damage. The SSD also supports multiple operating systems and machines.
5. Adata SE730:
Adata SE730 is one of the most affordable MacBook Pro SSDs that provides you with a rapid transfer speed. In just $139, you’re offered a 250GB space on the device, which is shockproof and waterproof too. The SSD weighs only 33g (1.1oz) and comes with 3 year limited warranty.
6. Transcend ESD400K SuperSpeed:
Transcend is among the best SSD for MacBook Pro that you can add to accommodate your extra data. Although, it is a bit expensive device that costs $360 for a 512GB, it provides you with a one-touch backup button and UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) support. It is a fast, durable and lightweight device that comes with a 3 year warranty.
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7. WD My Passport SSD Portable Storage:
If you’re looking for a low-cost high performing MacBook Pro SSD then WD My Passport SSD Portable Storage is for you. With a robust data transfer speed, it is provided with automatic backup. To support both Mac and Windows, this SSD is designed to support a USB Type-C and USB Type A ports. This easy to carry lightweight SSD is also shockproof that adds an extra layer of security to your data.
8. Transcend StoreJet:
Transcend StoreJet is amongst the few best MacBook Pro SSD for MacBook Pro, which meets the U.S. Military drop-test standards. However, being strong doesn’t adversely affect the sleek look of the device. With a rugged design, it is available from 500GB to 2TB variants. WIth a single touch backup button, it is amongst the fastest SSDs available that transmits the data over USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
9. SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD:
SanDisk Extreme SSD is another great choice when it comes to cost-effective device with higher performance. It is sleek, easy to carry and shock-resistant that comes with three year warranty. The Secure Access tool that helps you encrypt the private files with 128-bit AES. With less power requirement, it reads at the 430MB/s for fast transfers.
10. Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA:
Crucial MX500 is a popular name among high performing SSDs for MacBook Pro. This device offers read and write speed of 560 MB/x and/510 MB/s respectively with Micron 3D NAND technology. The best part of Crucial MX500 is the Power Loss Immunity that saves your work if a sudden power fail happens. The SSD comes with a whopping five year warranty and a higher level of reliability.
Overall, this is the list of best SSD for MacBook Pro to enhance the storage. If you’re confused over buying an external or internal SSD, the latter, that is internal SSD should be your choice. MacBook Pro SSD offers limited speed due to Thunderbolt or USB limitation, internal SSD has dedicated memory controllers to maximise reading/writing speed. If you know some more MacBook Pro SSD, do let us know in the comments section below.
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