Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSD: One-minute review

Lexar is one of the leading manufacturers of flash memory and has been a trusted name for photographers and videographers in the creative sector for years. The Silver Plus line of SD and MicroSD cards are positioned as the mid to high-end storage option. 

In this review, we've looked at the 128GB MicroSD, which boasts impressive transfer rates of up to 205MB/s, which, considering that this is a UHS-I card rather than the newer UHS-II card, is even more impressive. We've tested all the best microSD cards and best SD cards, and this card has been designed to work with the latest tech, including cameras, drones, as well as phones and gaming consoles. The speed and price of this card mean that it's an ideal solution for professional use, with the premium price boosting some of the features, especially the transfer rates above what most consumer electronics need.

As the card itself follows the usual MicroSD/TF format, it fits neatly and with ease into any device that accepts the format, although, as ever, the small size of the card will inevitably make it fiddly to handle for anyone with larger hands. Likewise, the dual-tone black and silver colour can be a pain to locate if you drop it on the forest floor, such as when using a GoPro or doing the dust test for this review. Although once in situ within a device, the large capacity means there's unlikely to be any need to swap it out for a replacement.

Performance-wise, the card demonstrates impressive transfer rates close to, and in most cases exceeding, the transfer speeds quoted by Lexar and more than fast enough to meet the U3, V30, and A2 speed classes awarded to it.

Overall, the Silver Plus microSDXC performs well and is a great solution for extending the storage capacity of your mobile phone, action camera, drone, or any other device that needs a boost in storage capacity. However, do be aware that if you need to switch between cards, the black and silver colouring may not be the best option if you're using this in an action camera where it could easily be lost, especially amongst the leaves, twigs and dirt.

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? $19
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I Card is available in different capacities, including 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, 128G and 64 GB. The 128GB version looked at in this review is ideal for gaming devices, smartphones, and tablets and is available for purchase at Amazon. 

The card is widely available, but the price may vary. It can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon, Target, B & H Photo, or directly on the Lexar website.

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC: Benchmark

Using AJA System Test Light, the Silver Plus MicroSDXC achieved impressive transfer speeds with a max read speed of 205.54MB/s and a write speed of 182.21MB/s; this actually exceeds the stated write speed from the manufacturer. These speeds show the drive's capability to handle large files and demanding applications.

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC: Specs

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC: Build and Handling

The Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I Card meets the form factor requirements for the MicroSD format and fits perfectly into the GoPro Hero 12, DJI Mavic Pro 3, and, with the adapter, the Sony Alpha 7 IV. In addition to imaging devices, the card was also tested on various mobile phones, including the Doogee VMAX Plus. In all devices, from cameras to smartphones and tablets, the Lexar Silver Plus fitted without issue.

As with all microSD cards, it is small and can be tricky to handle. Thankfully, Lexar has included an SD card adapter for microSD in the package, making it compatible with any device that accepts SD cards. This is particularly useful for many laptops and computers that might feature an SD card slot but not a microSD card slot.

The Silver Plus microSD card's build quality is excellent, aligning with Lexar's reputation for high-quality products. One point to note about this card is the colour scheme, with its duo tone being black and silver. While aesthetically pleasing, it can be slightly tricky to locate if dropped outdoors. However, once inside a device, the 128GB capacity means you are very unlikely to have to remove it frequently.

The microSD card conforms to all usual standards in terms of build, handling, and design, ensuring compatibility with most devices. While UHS-I technology might not be the latest, Lexar's choice ensures absolute compatibility with both the latest tech and slightly older devices.

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSD: Features

When it comes to features, the main focus here is the high transfer speeds, reaching up to 205MB/s read and 150MB/s write. This is very similar to the standard Silver cards, which come in at 205MB/s read and 140MB/s write. These are the maximum transfer rates achievable in certain devices.

These transfer rates mean that if your smartphone, action camera, or drone shoots 4K video at a high bit rate, this card will keep up with the demand. The card is awarded V30 class, indicating a minimum write speed of 30MB/s, making it suitable for high-resolution video recording.

It also features an A2 app performance class, highlighting its ability to handle data demands from most apps on smartphones and tablets. Lexar has also released the Lexar RW310X reader, a USB Type-C or Type-A memory stick designed to maximise the transfer rates of the Silver Plus microSD and other memory cards. Using this reader, the card achieves its full potential, although it remains fast with other readers as well.

The Silver Plus microSD card is also built tough, with certifications for IPX7 waterproofing, temperature proofing, x-ray proofing, vibration resistance, magnetic proofing, shockproofing, and drop-proofing. This ensures durability in various environments.

The card includes the Lexar Recovery Tool, which helps recover accidentally deleted files, adding to the peace of mind. As always, all Lexar products undergo rigorous testing in the Lexar Quality Labs, ensuring performance, quality, compatibility, and reliability.

The Silver Plus microSD card features impressive features, including high capacities, excellent transfer speeds considering UHS-I technology, broad compatibility, and robust durability.

Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSD: Performance

Through testing, the Silver Plus microSD card was used in a GoPro Hero 12, DJI Mavic Pro 3, and in our recently reviewed Doogee V MAX Plus rugged phone. Environmental tests included; dropping the card from 1.5 meters onto a dusty forest floor, subjecting it to moisture in a rain shower, submerging it in water for 30 minutes before drying it out and retesting it in the devices.

In all tests, the card performed flawlessly. It handled maximum resolution recordings without issue in the GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Mavic Pro 3, storing raw and high-bitrate video files seamlessly. The 128GB capacity was sufficient for capturing 4K video at all high-resolution options, and even when shooting in the GP-Log and D-Log, which are REC 709 colour modes for each card, it handles the files without issue.

Compared to the GoPro Hero12 Black and the DJI Mavic Pro 3, the Doogee VMAX Plus's microSD card demands are relatively light. However, even here, the card expanded internal storage easily, storing video and other files without any problems. 

With the real-world tests completed without issue, it was time to subject the cards to the Benchmarking performance tests, which were equally impressive. Using the Lexar RW310X reader, the card achieved its full potential, meeting and surpassing the speeds quoted by Lexar. The tests were carried out on the Geekcom AX8 Pro mini PC and showed the card's capability to maintain high transfer rates under prolonged writing conditions, demonstrating consistent performance.

Once all the basic tests were complete, the card was then subjected to a few more physical tests, starting with being dropped from a height of 1.5m onto a hard floor. In this test, there was little effect on the card. The 1g weight meant that there wasn't even a mark on the exterior, and when speed checks were retested, the results reflected the original. 

In the next test, the card was dropped on the dusty forest floor and covered in dust and leaves. Again, once the card was located, dusted down well, and rechecked, the performance remained the same. Likewise, in the water test, the card was dropped into a glass of water and left for 30 minutes, dried for a couple of days and then rechecked - again, the care worked and performed to the same standard as before the physical checks. 

Should I buy the Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC?

Overall, the Lexar Professional Silver Plus microSDXC UHS-I Card is an impressive storage option that meets all microSD card regulations. With UHS-I technology rather than UHS-II, it is fully compatible with almost any device that accepts microSD cards. The 128GB capacity will be sufficient for most professional uses. 

The card performed well in high-demand environments, such as action cameras and drones, with more than enough capacity for extended use. It excelled in benchmark tests, maintaining high transfer rates even under sustained usage.

The only reservation is the dual black and silver colour, which can be difficult to locate if dropped outdoors. However, for professional use where performance and reliability are paramount, the Lexar Silver Plus is a well-balanced choice considering its price, capacity, and transfer speeds.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Lexar Professional Silver Plus MicroSDXC

For this test the card was used in several different devices all of which support exFAT. Before starting this test the card was reformated to give the greatest compatibility for the real world tests and also for testing through the benchmarking software.

The softare used included the latest versions of CrystalDiskMark, Atto, AS SSD and AJA benchmarks, noting the best scores achieved in each. They are all free and can be downloaded by anyone. After the standard benchmarks I then use the card in a variety of tech, including a GoPro Hero12 Black, Insta360 Ace Pro, DJI Mavic 3 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro to ensure compatibility and performance over a sustained period. I then transfer a folder of files, roughly 10GB in size, to get a rough idea of real life performance. 

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The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 continues the trusted and loved ThinkPad lineup of laptops that Lenovo continues to create with business users in mind. It is yet another durable and reliable business laptop with a robust build, impressive battery, and great ports for connectivity. 

While this laptop is designed for business professionals, it also focuses on more than use in the office. Like so many of the best business laptops we've reviewed - particularly the best Lenovo ThinkPads out there, the T14 Gen 5 is light and portable, perfect for remote and hybrid workers and those constantly moving within a large corporate building. Despite some drawbacks, such as a less vibrant display, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 proves to be a solid performer that can handle everyday tasks with ease.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: Unboxing & first impressions

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 comes well packaged in eco-friendly packaging. The laptop, a 65W USB-C charger, and the documentation that Lenovo sends with all laptops are in the box. Right away, setup through Windows 11 on this laptop was easy, and thanks to the SSD, booting up to the start screen was quick and painless.

Moving the laptop around, I quickly realized that Lenovo had built this laptop very well. Finding the balance between thin and durable is lovely—which is always hard to do with laptops. Some super thin devices are incredibly light but snap if you type too hard. The T14 Gen 5 strikes the balance quite nicely. It's slim, but it has a slightly thicker plastic casing that gives a sense that it can take a hit or two and be fine. It makes it feel less premium.

The laptop's design stays true to the classic ThinkPad aesthetics I've seen with laptops such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11. It's simple, functional, minimal, and sleek—excellent design. The keyboard offers a familiar ThinkPad experience with tactile feedback, and the trackpad is large and responsive. The signature red TrackPoint is also present for those who prefer it, paired with the easy-click buttons at the top of the trackpad.

My ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is grey, but the black colorway would be perfect if you want a sleeker, more minimalist design that blends in a bit more.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: Design & build quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is lightweight and compact, especially for the ports and power. This laptop weighs 2.96 pounds and is less than an inch thick, at 0.70 inches, making it easy to move around and use as a portable machine. The casing comprises recycled plastic and aluminum to help provide a durable yet eco-friendly computer.

The ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 has a wide range of ports, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, 1x HDMI, and 1x RJ45 Ethernet. A headphone/mic combo jack ensures versatile connectivity. There is also a smart card reader for those who need an extra level of security.

The keyboard is standard for Thinkpads. It feels the same as all of the other ThinkPads I have used, and it has the same TrackPoint in the middle for easy, quick navigation while keeping your hands on the keyboard. The only change in this model and some of the newer models, in general, is the presence of the Microsoft Copilot key for easily integrated enhanced AI productivity. No matter what you are doing, if you press that key, you launch your AI assistant, which can help with anything from changing settings on your computer to helping create content.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: In use

This laptop has been a powerhouse over the last few months. I've worked with it for the previous 90 days, and I am pretty impressed. The keyboard is fantastic, especially for long typing sessions (such as this review). The audio is solid. While it won't blow anyone away, it is suitable for a laptop. The T14 Gen 5 balances durability and a sleek, lightweight design. It's easy to carry, throw into my bag, and carry on its own, yet I don't feel like I need to baby it. I will admit that the plastic casing can give a "less than premium" false narrative by looks alone. Still, as soon as I open the laptop and start working, that narrative is immediately dismissed because this computer is powerful enough for day-to-day work.

One other important aspect of the design is the fantastic battery life. I have been able to go to coffee shops, attend offsite meetings, and work around the house without worrying about finding a power cable. It's been fantastic.

Part of the reason this laptop has a great battery probably has to do with the fact that the display could be more impressive; however, while using this laptop for business uses, I never really felt like I was missing out. I could get everything without feeling held back, limited, or even noticing that it wasn't a great display.

I have been able to knock out all admin tasks and heavy tracking spreadsheets; I've used this to render 3D models for my 3D printers; it's helped test and drive some of the best business monitors I have tested, helped set up and program some of the other gear I am testing, and has been an all-around fantastic computer. What has been great, too, is utilizing Microsoft Copilot (albeit tastefully) to modify settings so I don't have to go through pages of clicks to give me ideas, answer questions, research, and do conversions, all started with a simple click of a button. It's been super powerful and a massive asset for getting work done efficiently.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is a reliable choice for business professionals who prioritize durability and battery life over high-end performance and display quality. Its robust build and extensive connectivity options make it a practical tool for productivity on the move. If you’re looking for a dependable workhorse with a great keyboard and long battery life, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is worth considering -- especially if you want Copilot baked in.

For more performance-driven productivity, we reviewed the best mobile workstations.

AndaSeat is known for gaming chairs. There is no doubt about that. While they do have some chairs that are promoted as professional chairs or office/gaming chair hybrids, they look and function much like gaming chairs. 

However, as I have shown with the Secretlab Magnus Pro Standing Desk, if the product is of high quality and operates the way you need and want it to, it doesn't matter what the original intention was. If it works for your scenario, it works. The Magnus Pro standing desk is technically a gaming desk; however, I put it through the paces of a professional standing desk and performed wonderfully. After all, our best office chair on a budget is a similarly gaming inspired desk seat.

So, while the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL - an extra-large version of the popular Kaiser 4 Series (check out our AndaSeat Kaiser 4 review for more details) - might originally be aimed at gamers, it more than fits into the professional workspace setting.  

The AndaSeat fills a similar space in my head. It's a bridge between the gaming and professional space. Yes, it looks gamer, but it functions like many of the mainstream best professional ergonomic office chairs. It's a clean, simple colored chair with high levels of adjustability and excellent ergonomics. 

It is comfortable for all-day use, and this one is the XL model, making room for those who are a bit bigger. Bigger can mean many things. For example, my team member who uses this chair the most is 5'11" and is 215lb. He's a professional fitness trainer and appreciates the extra space, as most standard chairs are small for him. I'll discuss that later on.

AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL: Unboxing & first impressions

The packaging for the AndaSeat Kaiser is impressive. There is a lot of chair in there. The packaging is sturdy and very well organized, ensuring that all of the components arrived to me in perfect condition. There is not one piece damaged or crushed.

Along with the chair pieces comes the documentation and necessary tools to help make the setup process as easy as possible. It took me about 42 minutes to assemble this chair from start to finish, utilizing the tools in the box.

The AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL immediately impresses with its hardy build and premium-feeling materials. The PVC leather will last for a while and doesn't feel cheap, though I worry that I might stick to it a bit in the heat or if I am sweating. I'm just over 200lbs and 6'2" tall, and this chair gives me plenty of space. 

I appreciate how tall the backrest comes up on me, and I love that I don't feel like the armrests are creeping into my space. Instead, they are right where I want them. I also love how I can adjust the height to a place I wish to be, rather than compromising like I need to do with some standard-sized chairs.

Lastly, the chair's aesthetics are professional. It doesn't feel tacky or unprofessional but pretty sophisticated all around, especially in the elegant black colorway I chose. All around, this chair feels excellent; the seat feels more like a bucket seat in a sports car than anything; the rocking, reclining, and swivel are all very smooth, and the adjustments, though they take a while to dial in, made this chair fit me wonderfully.

AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL: Design & build quality

AndaSeat chose to utilize PVC Leather for the Kaiser 4 Series Premium Chair. Granted, it's less luxurious than PU or genuine leather, but it's an understandable and still a high-quality choice for this chair. It offers high levels of durability and is relatively easy to clean. The frame is solid metal, and the seat has a high-density foam that feels more firm than anything but is very comfortable. 

The Kaiser 4 Series Premium Gaming (and professional) Chair is available in ten colors and two material options: premium PVC Leather or Linen Fabric. Its sleek and modern design is well-suited to gaming and professional environments.

AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL: In use

While using this chair, my team and I noticed that the only downside to the entire chair is that the PVC Leather can feel less breathable and get a bit sticky or plasticky after extended use, especially if we get warm. Most ergonomic chairs, while they contort to your body, are also breathable in one way or another. 

This chair, while ergonomic, is not not breathable. It's still comfortable, but there's a difference in design language. This lack of breathability can make the chair a bit warm if you're prone to sweating, operating in a warm area, or working for long periods.

In addition, the previously mentioned dense foam and ergonomic design make long working sessions comfortable and prevent me from needing to stand up due to aches or discomfort.

At first, the 5D armrests were gimmicky and a marketing trick. Still, I have noticed times when I have used or wanted to use all elements of the 5D armrests to get the perfect armrest position for working, reading, meetings, working at a desk, with a laptop on my lap, with my iPad, or on a long phone call. So far, this chair has held up to it all, finding a way to be comfortable in almost every situation.

AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL: Final verdict

As mentioned, the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL Premium gaming/professional chair is a fantastic bridge between the gamer look and professional function. It can live in both worlds; it provides all-day comfort thanks to the highly adjustable arms, lumbar support, backrests, and sports car-like bucket seat. The lack of breathability is a downfall, but nothing catastrophic at all. The PVC Leather makes the chair easy to clean and has other perks that help redeem that material choice. 

The Kaiser 4 XL is an excellent chair for those looking for a home office or professional chair who love the gamer style but also want to be able to use it confidently for work.

Enhancing your workspace? Pair your latest office chair with the best standing desks.