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Seagate Game Drive External SSD for PlayStation review: chic and officially licensed, but not that speedy
2:00 pm | October 20, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a PlayStation-focused external solid-state drive (SSD) for gamers on Sony’s console looking for an extra storage boost. Compatible with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, this external SSD offers a speedy - though not blistering - plug-and-go option and channels an awful lot of what makes Seagate one of the go-to brands for gaming storage.

The drive has a very slick design and robust-feeling build. A hardy rectangular cuboid in form, the drive feels like it could easily withstand a drop or bump, while also being very convenient to carry and stuff into a pocket. It shares the PS5 family’s aesthetic (the drive looks right at home next to Sony’s console) with its sleek white finish, black underside and cable, and smart blue RGB light that runs along the front edge.

Seagate hasn’t published any claimed read and write speeds, which is unusual. But from our testing, the drive proved to be reliable - if not super speedy - for an external hard drive. It handled transfers from and to a PS5 at reasonable times, which you can read more about below, and it sits comfortably above HDDs, albeit below the top-end external SSDs like the WD Black P40. However, it is as easy to use as any external hard drive competitor, offering a simple plug-and-use experience with either a USB-C or USB-A cable.

As an SSD it still demands a higher price of admittance than any HDD solution, so that should be taken into consideration if you just need value-busting storage. While you pay a bit of a premium for the name and official licensing here, its overall decent performance makes this a drive we can easily recommend. You get what you pay for here and this is a really solid PS5 external hard drive and top portable SSD for mixed use too.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD being held in a hand over a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Price and availability

  • 1TB: $129.99 / £139.99; 2TB: $219.99 / £229.99
  • Same price range as internal PS5 SSD options
  • The largest capacity is 2TB

Coming in two sizes, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD offers 1TB and 2TB solutions for external storage. The lack of a larger 4TB (or bigger) drive may irk some, but the price would skyrocket and those capacities seem to still be reserved for more traditional HDDs.

The price point puts it in established external PS5 SSD territory with the likes of the WD Black P40, P50, and Samsung T7 Shield for company, though it is more expensive than the Crucial X8 and X9, and WD My Passport SSD range.

While a new product at time of writing, gaming storage products are always great candidates for sales events and price cuts and the Seagate Game Drive External SSD should be snapped up immediately when it inevitably receives a discount.

A final bonus that the drive offers is that it also comes with a 14-day trial (for new users) of PS Plus Premium which is a pleasant little extra if you’re new to the PS5 console.

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Specs

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD a cable and a its box on a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Design and features

  • Slick officially licensed design
  • Lightweight but solid in the hand
  • Cool LED flourish

The first (and best) thing to note about the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is that it is very in keeping with the PlayStation 5 aesthetic. It captures the contrasting white-on-black aesthetic excellently, and the blue LED on the drive’s front that lights up when it's plugged in really completes the look.

The drive is a compact accessory and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. It’s also much thinner than a traditional HDD, so will need to be positioned carefully and appropriately if you intend to keep it plugged in permanently. Speaking of which, the drive comes with a USB-C cable and a USB-A cable so it’ll be dealer’s choice when it comes to which port to use. The cable itself is plenty long enough too - something that personally irked me in previous years when stiff, short cables governed the position external drives would have to take.

The most important feature to remember for PS5 owners is that you cannot play PS5 games directly from the Seagate Game Drive External SSD. It can be used to play PS4 games from it and is a fine means to do so, while also allowing you a storage spot for your PS5 games to transfer over to your console when you’re ready. It performs those transfers nicely too, as you’ll read about below.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD being held in a hand over a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Performance

  • Strong but not spectacular speeds
  • Not as fast as internal options - or competing external SSDs
  • Still much faster than competing HDDs

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a solid performer and is worthy of its place in the brand’s pantheon - but won’t blow any socks off. The drive is much faster than any external HDD competitor but has middling speeds that mean it doesn’t compete at the very highest end of the spectrum, where drives from the likes of WD Black and Samsung sit.

On PS5, I transferred a 122.2GB installation of Diablo 4 to the Seagate drive in 10 minutes and 18 seconds and it was transferred back to the console in 16 minutes and 26 seconds. Star Wars Outlaws (a 51.6GB file) was moved to the SSD in 4 minutes and 25 seconds and then back again in 6 minutes and 57 seconds. My smallest single-game transfer was Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at 25.5GB and this was transferred in 2 mins 12 seconds to the SSD and back again in 3 minutes and 26 seconds. Lastly, a 53.59GB bundle of games (Unravel Two, Pentiment, SOMA, and the Dead Space Remake) was transferred in 3 mins and 59 seconds and back again in 6 minutes and 58 seconds.

This is encouraging, particularly if you've got a bunch of smaller games or PS4 games; the drive transferring this bundle of games in roughly half the time of a single PS5 game of the same is notable.

On PC, hard drive testing software CrystalDiskMark 8.0.5 was able to put some numbers to the performance in terms of read and write speeds. After multiple tests, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD drive presented average read speeds of 439.83MB/s and an average write speed of 415.63MB/s.

These speeds aren’t massively impressive, especially when compared to its competition, and put the drive firmly in the strong but not spectacular space.

Compared to the likes of the WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive, the speeds just don’t stack up; it finds itself in the same camp as the Lexar SL200, Samsung T5, and Seagate Fast SSD. However, the upside of this is that the drive never gets hot and can keep going all day long at the same rate, making it super reliable overall, and perfect if you need a PS5, or PS5 Pro, workhorse.

But even if it’s not swimming in the fastest of waters, given its reliability, simple-to-use nature, and slick officially-licensed design, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an easy drive to recommend.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD next to a PS5 and DualSense controller on a black desk

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Seagate Game Drive External SSD?

Buy it if...

You want a premium, officially licensed external storage solution for PS5
The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is perfect for PS5 users, not least because it’s an officially licensed product and beautifully shares the same aesthetics as the console. Factor in its reliable job, then it's an ideal storage companion for PS5 users. View Deal

You value SSD speeds over HDD capacity
If you have the budget for an SSD then the performance you get here over an HDD is sizeable and you won’t look back. If you’re looking for a boost to speeds and performance over an older HDD solution then this is it.View Deal

You only need a smaller storage amount
If you’re only after a (relatively) smaller amount of external storage then the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an ideal external storage solution for you, especially if you value its tidy speeds.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need maximum value from an external storage solution
As an SSD, this drive does have a higher price of admission than traditional HDDs. If you’re happy to forego top speeds to maximize your bang for buck, then an HDD may be a better fit for you. View Deal

You want the absolute fastest external SSD speed going
While competent and reliable, the read and write speeds of the Seagate Game Drive External SSD aren’t enormously beastly by any means, and there are faster external SSDs available if that characteristic is of paramount importance to you.View Deal

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Seagate Game Drive External SSD for PS5 and PS4? Here’s how it compares to two similar products so you can compare.

WD Black P40 Game Drive
If you must have the best speeds possible in your external hard drive for PS5 then the WD Black P40 Game Drive is one of the best options at the top end of the market. Offering blistering speeds for an external hard drive, WD Black’s gaming storage pedigree, and a slick look to boot, this is a quality premium option.

For more information, check out our full WD BLACK P40 Game Drive review. View Deal

Seagate Game Drive for PS5
If you just need a simple external storage solution on PlayStation then the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is easy to recommend. Despite being an HDD rather than an SSD the performance is reliable and excellent, and the value, and bang for back here are terrific. If you’re looking to maximize what you get and need a larger capacity, then this is a fine option.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive for PS5 review. View Deal

How I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review

  • Used the drive nearly every day for around two weeks
  • Played PS4 games from it, and regularly moved PS5 games to and from it
  • Compared it to my internal PS5 SSD and other external HDDs on PS5
  • Compared it to my day-to-day HDD on PC

I incorporated the Seagate Game Drive External SSD into my PS5 setup and used it as an extension of my console’s storage for around two weeks. In that time, I copied and stored multiple PS5 games numerous times - timing every transfer manually as well as using the PlayStation’s own estimates - and ran PS4 games from the drive too. I used both the drive’s cables and tested in both the PS5’s USB-A and USB-C ports.

I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD against other Seagate external HDDs on PS5 to confirm its speed and the increase in performance the SSD offers. I also made the same comparison with my daily external HDD, the Lacie Rugged, on PC.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024.

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron portable SSD review
9:36 am | October 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: 30-second review

Specs

Capacities available: 480GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB
Size: 12mm x 76 mm x 52 mm
Weight: 85g
Enclosure material: Aluminum
Connector: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Technology: OWC Aura Pro III PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2242 Solid-State Drive
Warranty (in years): 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty
Rated R/W speeds (MB/s): upto 1011MB/s depends on system
Software bundle: OWC Innergize for Mac and Windows

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron joins the company's range of compact portable storage solutions designed for creatives.

We've tested the best portable SSDs but this one really caught our eye. The overall look and style are minimalistic, with the small design easily slipping into a jacket or kit bag pocket without adding much weight or bulk. The exterior is simple, featuring an all-metal build with a status light on the front, a USB Type-C port at the back, and a logo on top. On the base are two rubber strips along with a model info label.

The simplicity of the design also reflects the toughness of the drive. As soon as you lift it from the desk you can feel the additional weight afforded by that reinforced case. It's not heavy, but it's heavier than you'd expect for such a small device. This extra weight comes from the thick metal casing that is not just designed to protect the drive from minor knocks, but to survive being run over, thrown, and generally subjected to conditions that would ordinarily destroy a drive of this type.

That robust build continues throughout the design with the USB Type-C port, which, despite being open to the elements and without a protective rubber cap, still enables the drive to be IP67 certified. The drive is essentially built like a tank and able to survive being crushed (though perhaps not by an actual tank) as well as being submerged in water. Sure enough, in testing, the drive withstood more than most, and even after being run over and submerged, it continued to function without issue.

While the drive's strength is its main feature, speed is another important consideration. Inside is an NVMe SSD, enabling ultra-fast transfer rates. While it doesn't feature the latest connection technology, its data transfer speeds are still impressive and more than enough for HD and 4K video editing, image manipulation, and audio editing.

If you need a drive that can withstand the elements and rough handling while providing ample storage capacity and speed, the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is an excellent choice—and one of the few with this level of protection.

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Price & availability

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is available in multiple storage capacities, typically ranging from 4800GB to 4TB. Pricing for the drive varies depending on the capacity, starting around £129 ($129 USD) for the 4800GB model and going up to approximately £529 ($529 USD) for the 4TB version. Availability is through major online retailers, including OWC's website, Amazon, and other electronics and computer accessory stores.

  • Score: 4/5

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Design & build

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron has been designed to be small and compact at 12mm x 76mm x 52mm, making it ideal for slipping into a jacket or kit bag pocket, taking up minimal space. While small and extremely simple in design, the all-metal aluminium casing adds a bit of weight at 85g, more than you'd expect from a device of this size but reassuring in terms of durability. With an IP67 rating, this is up there with the best rugged hard drives we've reviewed - a happy middle-ground for who need a robust, portable SSD.

The drive connects via a single cable that handles both data transfer and bus power, which is common for compact external drives. A nice touch from OWC is the inclusion of a USB Type-C cable with a Type-A adapter to maximise compatibility across different machines. On the exterior, there's a status light at the front that glows bright blue when the device is connected and flashes during transfers to indicate that the drive is in use—standard but useful features.

Aside from the single USB Type-C 3.2 port at the back and the status light, there are no other buttons or ports, keeping the exterior sleek and minimalistic. Another nice addition and finishing touch are the two rubber strips on the base, these provide better grip when the drive is placed on a desk or other surfaces, preventing it from sliding around during use.

  • Design & build: 5/5

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Features

OWC is an interesting company, very much driven by the real-world use of its products. It's not difficult to find professionals who swear by OWC gear. The Envoy Pro Elektron is designed as a compact, go-anywhere portable SSD that's simple in design yet capable of quickly transferring and storing large quantities of data, all while withstanding extreme conditions.

Starting with speed, which is usually the headline feature of any external SSD, OWC quotes several different transfer rates for the drive. The blister pack states transfer rates of up to 1011MB/s, while the website cites 996MB/s in real-world tests, highlighting similar benchmarking software to what we use here at techradar.com.

The drive is also USB 3.2 Type-C, offering up to 10GB/s transfer rates via the single bus-powered cable connection. It's great to see OWC opting for the most common generation of USB 3.2, ensuring that on almost every modern system, you'll likely achieve the quoted speeds. This contrasts with many manufacturers that produce drives using USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is often throttled back to slower speeds for machines that aren't equiped with that exact connection type.

This connection also means the drive is fully compatible with a wide range of devices, including Macs, PCs, iPad Pros, and Chromebooks.

The standout feature of the drive, as mentioned earlier, is its durability. It is crushproof, dustproof, and waterproof to IP67, meaning it can survive being submerged in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes. The durable, aircraft-grade aluminium casing is impressive and helps dissipate heat when the drive is working hard. As the drive is solid-state, there are no fans, so cooling is entirely passive through the case—this reduces potential points of failure and ensures the drive operates completely silently

Due to its design and connection type, the drive can launch apps on a Mac, which is handy if you have a Mac with a smaller internal SSD and need to offload larger or less frequently used apps to external storage.

It's also worth mentioning that the drive is Innergize enabled, software from OWC. This software enables you to monitor and manage the drive's health and performance and apply firmware updates as they become available

  • Features 5/5

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Performance

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark: read: 1031.21MB/s Write: 971.73MB/s
AJA: read: 899MB/s Write: 914MB/s
ATTO: read: 984.62MB/s Write: 952.85MB/s
AS SSD: 915MB/s Write: 901.10MB/s
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Read: 668.2MB/s Write: 921.2MB/s

The small Envoy Pro Elektron's size and simplicity means that it hardly adds any weight or bulk to you kit bag. Although the drive feels heavier than expected at first glance, it's still extremely light at 85g—lighter than most larger external hard drives with similar capacity.

The drive includes a 38cm USB Type-C cable, which comes with a handy USB Type-A adapter. Together, they make for a neat package that can easily slip into any small side pocket.

In use the drive connected quickly and for the first test, it was formatted to APFS for use with Mac systems. Upon first connection, the software guides you through the formatting and system compatibility setup, in just a couple of simple clicks you're done and the drive is ready to use. We ran several tests running some of the best video editing software and best audio editors for performance.

Used with Logic and Final Cut Pro X, the drive performed as expected, handling work as a fast, reliable drive with transfer speeds more than sufficient for most 4K ProRes edits. During long editing sessions, the 1TB capacity was slightly limiting, but with 2TB and 4TB versions available, there is greater flexibility. Speed and performance remained consistent throughout, with the drive becoming warm but never hot. Notably, there was no noise from the drive, although the Mac's fans spun up occasionally as the M1 Max processor was pushed.

When switching to a PC, the drive required reformatting to ExFat. In Premiere Pro and Audition, the drive again performed well, handling data transfer demands without issue and becoming warm but again not hot.

In real-world tests, the drive provided the storage and transfer speeds required by the applications. While the 1TB capacity may be limiting for video, it's a good size for audio and image work.

Benchmark testing showed the drive performed exceptionally well, with varying results depending on the application used. Read and write speeds were fast across the board, confirming the drive is an ideal companion for most content creators.

Beyond performance testing, the IP67 rating called for a durability check. The first test was to run over the drive, and aside from a few scratches and some dirt, it survived. Plugged back into the Mac, it was instantly recognised, and performance matched the speeds recorded prior to the test.

Next, the drive was submerged in water for 30 minutes. After drying and clearing water from the port, it was plugged in again and mounted without issue.

After these tests, the drive's exterior showed marks and scratches as expected from such handling, but it continued to perform exceptionally well despite the tough conditions.

  • Performance: 5/5

Should you buy the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron?

If you need a fast, high-capacity portable SSD, the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is a great choice on many levels, although you are paying extra for its robust build.

As a portable SSD, its compact size and light weight are appealing. With a range of capacities, it caters to a variety of users—from musicians and photographers to videographers and general content creators. The transfer rates make it an ideal solution for anyone needing a fast working drive capable of handling high-definition multi-track audio and 4K video editing.

What really sets this drive apart is its toughness and small size. You can easily pack it into any bag or jacket pocket without adding noticeable weight. Unlike other SSDs, you don't need to worry about the drive if it gets wet or bashed around in transit—this drive will survive, making it a great choice for those on the road or travelling.

The speed will meet most creative demands for a wide range of users, but the rugged build and IP67 rating will particularly appeal to broadcast industry professionals, content creators, and musicians. The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron serves as a reliable on-the-go storage solution.

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Buy it if...

You need a durable, portable SSD. 

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is designed to withstand tough conditions while delivering fast, reliable storage for on-the-go professionals

You want fast transfer speeds for content creation. 

With NVMe SSD and USB 3.2, this drive offers excellent transfer speeds for tasks like 4K video editing, music production, and image manipulation.

Don't buy it if...

You're looking for the latest USB technology. 

This drive uses USB 3.2, which is fast but lacks the latest Gen 2x2 speeds found in some competitors.

You need a budget-friendly SSD. 

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron's rugged design and advanced features come at a higher price, which might not be ideal for casual users.


For more storage, we reviewed the best external hard drives and best external hard drive for Mac.

Samsung starts production of its fastest SSD for PCs
6:39 pm | October 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

Samsung announced it has begun mass production of its fastest SSD for PCs. The PCIe 5.0-based product, model name PM9E1, has the industry's highest performance and largest capacity, the company claims. Samsung stated that the memory stick is built on the 5 nm-based controller and 8th-gen V-NAND technology. It aims to provide "powerful performance and enhanced power efficiency, making it an optimal solution for on-device AI PCs." The PM9E1 provides 14.5 GB/s reading speed and 13 GB/s writing speed, enabling a plethora of data-intensive AI applications. Samsung will offer the PM9E1...

Lexar Play 2280 review: really needs a price cut
2:21 pm | October 1, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Lexar Play 2280: One-minute review

I would recommend the Lexar Play 2280 if you’re able to find it at a heavily reduced price. At the moment, the 2TB model will set you back around $229.99 / £174.99 and the 4TB is available for $379.99 / £329.99. This wouldn’t be too bad in most cases but it’s important to note that this is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)-less model that uses host memory buffer (HMB) technology. A reliance on HMB would normally be associated with a much cheaper product and, although not a complete disaster on PS5, does mean that you lose a lot of potential speed on console.

When drives with DRAM, like the blazing fast Samsung 990 Pro and licensed models like the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, can easily be found at similar prices to the Lexar Play 2280, there are very few reasons to consider this model above the others. 

It’s a shame, as the Lexar Play 2280 still manages to scrape by in real-world scenarios. Though slower than other models in our copy testing, it achieved an okay reading of 6,135MB/s on the internal PS5 benchmark and offered perfectly serviceable performance with no major hiccups in the games themselves. The 2TB and 4TB capacities are also a good fit for most modern game libraries, especially if you own lots of large titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Horizon Forbidden West

With an 8TB model on the way later this year, I could still see the Lexar Play 2280 finding a good niche as a lower-cost alternative to many of the best SSDs for PS5 or best PS5 external hard drives. Lots of the manufacturer’s other drives have received substantial price cuts in the time after release, especially around major sale periods, so I’m optimistic that this will eventually be the case.

The Lexar Play 2280 SSD viewed from above.

(Image credit: Future)

Lexar Play 2280: Price and availability

  • 2TB is $229.99 / £174.99
  • 4TB is $379.99 / £329.99
  • Very high price for the specs

You can pick up the Lexar Play 2280 via Amazon. A 2TB model is available, which costs $229.99 / £174.99, in addition to a 4TB variant for  $379.99 / £329.99. Both of these prices seem extremely high for what you’re getting, especially considering the lack of DRAM. You can easily find higher-spec alternatives at roughly the same prices, including premium options like the Samsung 990 Pro, Corsair MP600 Pro LPX, or Seagate FireCuda 530.

Even other Lexar drives are much better value. The 4TB Lexar NM790, another HMB model with a PS5 compatible heatsink fitted, costs just $281.99 / £229.99 at the time of writing. This is about where I would expect the Lexar Play 2280 to be, so it’s a little baffling that it’s currently not available at around this price.

Lexar Play 2280: Specs

Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

The Lexar Play 2280 has quite a stylish design, though not as elaborate as some competitors. It's fitted with an absolutely mammoth heatsink, one so large that I was initially slightly worried that it wouldn't fit in the PS5. Thankfully, the installation process was very smooth and it slotted in nicely under the console’s SSD bay cover. The heatsink is predominantly black, though does have two silver fin-like shapes on top that give it some extra flair. It’s also labeled with a white Lexar Play logo, creating some pleasant contrast. 

In terms of features, this is an HMB drive. As previously outlined, this means that it does not have any DRAM. DRAM is usually used to store mapping information, effectively telling your machine where to find certain pieces of data quickly. This can improve performance and drive longevity, but often makes SSDs with DRAM more expensive than other models. In an HMB drive, this information is all normally stored memory of the host device instead. This is no problem for a PC but is not something that is currently supported by the PS5.

In practical terms, this can lead to much more uneven performance on your console. Sony itself states that users with an HMB drive “may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB.”

The Lexar Play 2280 SSD stood upright on a desk mat.

(Image credit: Future)

Lexar Play 2280: Performance

Despite the lack of DRAM, I found that the Lexar Play 2280 performed acceptably on the whole when you don’t consider the price. The 4TB configuration achieved a 6,134MB/s read speed in the console’s internal SSD benchmark, which is towards the lower end of what you would expect but still above the 5,500MB/s recommended by Sony.

It’s the kind of reading that you would find with a budget drive, which goes even further to show that the current cost of this model is a little ridiculous. For the sake of comparison, this figure is far below the just over 6,500MB/s achieved by the Samsung 990 Pro in the same capacity - a top-end drive that is a little cheaper than the Lexar Play 2280 right now.

Performance was just about okay in my other testing, which saw me copying a wide variety of files to the drive from the PS5’s internal storage. A 69.75GB installation of Zenless Zone Zero took 34 seconds to copy, while the 49.97GB Star Wars Outlaws was fully playable in 24 seconds. A 90.23GB installation of Alan Wake 2 copied in a respectable 48 seconds and the 85.72GB The Last of Us Part 2 came in at 38. Stellar Blade, which is 31.46GB, was copied in 17 seconds.

The Alone in the Dark remake, which comes in at 30.67GB, was copied in 18 seconds, and finally, the 9.49GB Asphalt Legends Unite was copied in 17. That very last figure is particularly high for the relatively small file size, demonstrating some of the shortcomings associated with HMB drives.

Thankfully unless you sit around moving games all day, you likely won’t notice a lot of this. I’ve been using the drive for a few weeks now, playing my usual rotation of games on it. During that time I did not experience any noticeable in-game performance differences when compared to playing on the PS5’s internal storage. Don’t get me wrong, the performance of the drive is fine overall, but just nowhere near what you would want or expect for the price.

The Lexar Play 2280 SSD viewed from the side.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Lexar Play 2280?

Buy it if...

You want a high-capacity drive
The Lexar Play 2280 is available in both 2TB and 4TB capacities. This could make it a solid option to consider if you’re after a particularly large model for your game library.

You find it on sale
The one thing the Lexar Play 2280 needs to properly compete in the SSD space is a sizable price cut. If you can find it at the right discount, this model could be a great alternative to more premium options.

Don't buy it if...

You want top performance
The performance of the Lexar Play 2280 is fine for a HMB model, but it’s not what you would expect for the price. Consider high-end options like the Samsung 990 Pro if performance is your biggest concern. 

Also consider...

If you want to weigh up the Lexar Play 2280 against some other options, here are two great alternatives.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
The Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 is a great officially licensed pick. It loses out in terms of capacity, with just 1TB and 2TB options, but is worthwhile if you want a drive that will deliver flawless PS5 performance. 

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Samsung 990 Pro
The 4TB model of the Samsung 990 Pro is often available on sale for around the same price at the Lexar Play 2280. It’s significantly faster, features DRAM, and has a more stylish overall design.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

The Lexar Play 2280 SSD viewed from the bottom.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Lexar Play 2280

  • Used for over two weeks
  • Tested daily in my PS5
  • Compared to other SSD models

I tested the 4TB Lexar Play 2280 for over two weeks, fitting the drive to my personal PS5 and ensuring that it was used during my daily play sessions. During that time I was careful to assess the performance of the drive, both in-game and when moving a wide variety of files around on the system. I also recorded the data from the in-built PS5 storage benchmark.

I constantly compared the experience using the drive to my previous hands-on testing with a wide range of other PS5 SSD models. This included the Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850, WD Black SN850P, Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, Samsung 980 Pro, and more.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024.

Asus ROG NUC 970 review: big gaming performance from a tiny desktop machine
4:56 am | September 11, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG NUC 970: TWO-MINUTE REVIEW

The Asus ROG NUC 970 is designed for those who want a very compact desktop computer that can still give great performance for both gaming and productivity use. As you might have guessed from the NUC name, it’s available as a barebones kit where you buy and add RAM, an SSD and an operating system. For those who want a simpler option, the NUC 970 is also sold by retailers ready to go straight out of the box. The NUC uses hardware normally found in laptops – the base spec is an Intel Ultra 7 paired with a RTX 4060, or an Ultra 9 alongside a RTX 4070. 

The NUC 970 I tested was kitted out with an Ultra 9 CPU, RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM (it can handle up to 64GB), a 1TB M.2 SSD and Windows 11. Setup was just like any new Windows machine, though not quite as streamlined, and I needed to get the latest drivers from the Asus website and install them manually. This process was not a smooth one and my NUC hung while updating the BIOS, recovered itself, and still had ongoing driver niggles even after a factory reset. 

The NUC 970 has the usual array of premium ports, including Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps with DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI 2.1, dual DisplayPort, and a gaggle of high-speed (and low-speed) USB-A ports. You also get super-fast Wi-Fi 6E (AX1690i) and Bluetooth 5.3. The build quality is fantastic – the side cover of the NUC pops straight off after unlatching and the RAM and up to three SSDs can be installed very easily.

The NUC 970 runs the RTX 4070 at up to 140W – the same level as most gaming laptops. While slightly quieter than a similar-spec laptop at full tilt, it’s still quite noisy in turbo mode. The 970 doesn’t push its hardware very hard, and is slightly slower than a premium gaming laptop with the same CPU and GPU. Gaming performance is pretty good overall and the 970 can happily run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at up to 114fps at 1080p, or 72fps at 1440p using Ultra settings with DLSS on. The NUC is a bit quieter during non-gaming use and tends to run the CPU at a higher sustained wattage level than comparable laptops. The 970 can also handle up to 4 screens (5 with the right USB-C setup), making it a very competent productivity machine when not gaming.

Despite the setup niggles I experienced, the ROG NUC 970 is easy to love… until you see the price. It’s very hard to recommend the NUC 970 when, for less money, you can buy a premium laptop that can get better gaming results, or a prebuilt mini desktop computer that has even higher performance. The NUC model with the Ultra 7 / RTX 4060 model is cheaper, but so are the competing options, making the value for money no better.

So where does that leave the NUC 970? The concept is cool, it’s very well built, the drivers need work, and the price needs to be at least 30% lower before I’d consider it competitive against other gaming options. 

Asus ROG NUC 970sitting flat on a desk, plugged in with the logo glowing

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG NUC 970: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? $2,199 / £2,199 / AU$4,299
  • When is it available? It's available now
  • Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia

The above pricing for the Asus ROG NUC 970 is for the as-tested model, with a Core Ultra 9, RTX 4070, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and Windows 11 Home. The NUC 970 can be pretty hard to find (especially if you want different customization options) and it commands a price premium with few discounts. There are also barebones systems available without the RAM, SSD and OS, but depending on your region, buying the extras and installing them yourself may not save much money.

Overall the ROG NUC 970 is very expensive for the spec level provided, and it’s cheaper to buy an equally powerful gaming laptop or a much more powerful (but larger) gaming desktop. Outside of niche uses, the ROG would need to be at least 30% cheaper before I’d consider it a compelling buy. 

  • Value score: 3 / 5

Asus ROG NUC 970: SPECS

The barebones ROG NUC 970 includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU (65W TDP) and a Nvidia RTX 4070 8GB GPU (140W TGP). There’s also a ROG NUC 670, featuring an Ultra 7 155H CPU (40W TDP) and RTX 4060 8GB GPU (140W TGP). Aside from the CPU and GPU, the rest of the spec (as listed below) is the same. 

  • Specs score: 4 / 5
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Asus ROG NUC 970 from rear showing ports, including 4x USB, RJ45 Ethernet, USB-C, HDMU and dual displayport.

(Image credit: Future)
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Asus ROG NUC 970 from the underside, showing fan inlets and rubber feet

(Image credit: Future)
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Close of of underside of Asus ROG NUC 970 showing the fan inlet

(Image credit: Future)
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Asus ROG NUC 970 with cover off, showing all the internals from above

(Image credit: Future)
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Asus ROG NUC 970 internal cover plate with logo

(Image credit: Future)
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Close up of Asus ROG NUC 970 rear ports with cover off

(Image credit: Future)
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Close up inside the Asus ROG NUC 970 with cover off, showing the RAM and SSD.

(Image credit: Future)
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Asus ROG NUC 970 stand showing the underside

(Image credit: Future)
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Close up of Asus ROG NUC 970 stand showing rubber pads

(Image credit: Future)
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Close up of Asus ROG NUC 970 logo glowing red

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG NUC 970: Design

  • Compact case
  • Great stand
  • Plenty of ports

The compact ROG NUC 970 chassis has a 2.5-liter volume (84.5 ounces) – making it larger than the Intel NUCs of yore, but smaller than most miniature gaming PCs. It can sit flat on a table thanks to rubber feet on one side, or be mounted vertically in the heavy-duty aluminum stand. The large power supply is external (like a laptop), but at least the cable is long so the chunky brick can be hidden away under your desk. The little gaming machine has an LED backlight ROG graphic on the side that can be customized with your own logo (or covered up) using plastic inserts included in the box.

The NUC 970 design has the key ports nicely accessible, with dual USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headset jack on the front. Round the back there’s a further array of connectivity options, with Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C supporting DisplayPort 2.1 from the iGPU), two more USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, two standard USB 2.0 Type-A ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, the power connection and a Kensington lock. 

Video output from the RTX 4070 is via dual DisplayPort 1.4 connections or HDMI 2.1 – the latter supporting FRL (Fixed Rate Link) that provides the higher bandwidth needed for options like 4K video at 120Hz. The NUC is also a competent productivity workstation and can be used with up to 5 monitors – though, if not gaming, the Asus NUC 14 Performance model might be a better option as it has the same underlying spec without the game-focused ROG branding. 

The NUC 970 case is designed to be easy to open, and the RAM and SSD slots are very accessible for initial memory and storage installs or later upgrades. The tiny case means it’s not particularly easy to clean any dust buildup, and the motherboard and GPU have to be removed to access the cooling system. 

Overall the NUC design is quite good, and I especially like the chunky, rubber-padded stand. In the end I actually preferred using the stand "backwards", as it still holds the NUC just as securely, but looks sleeker and gives the side vents some airflow. The ability to DIY a logo is also cool and a nice way to add a touch of personality to the machine. The only things I wish were included in the design are a few more USB-C ports (with one on the front) and removable filters for the fans. 

Asus ROG NUC 970 sitting backwards in stand

The ROG NUC 970 can also sit securely "backwards" in the stand, giving extra airflow to the side vents. (Image credit: Future)
  • Design score: 4 / 5

Asus ROG NUC 970: PERFORMANCE

  • Solid gaming frame rates
  • Fast wired and wireless networking
  • Quiet when not gaming
Asus ROG NUC 970: Benchmarks

Here's how the Lenovo Legion 5i performed in the TechRadar suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Speed Way: 2,978 Port Royal: 7,589; Time Spy Extreme: 6,214; Fire Strike Ultra: 7,188.

GeekBench 6.3: 2,471 (single-core); 12,993 (multi-core)

Cinebench R24: 1,079 (multi-core); 107 (single-core)

PCMark 10: 7,623

CrystalDiskMark 8 NVMe: 7,067 MB/s (read); 5,081 MB/s (write)

Red Dead Redemption II: (Ultra 1080p) 79.3fps

Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p, (Ultra) 65fps; QHD, (Ultra) 55fps

F1 2023: 1080p (Ultra): 70fps

Considering the ROG NUC 970 has laptop-spec internals, running laptop-spec power and thermal profiles, it’s no surprise that it gives laptop-level gaming performance. That’s not a bad thing as the RTX 4070 is a very capable GPU and can give great results. For demanding games, the NUC 970 is best connected to a 1440p gaming monitor that supports variable refresh rate. Gaming at 4K is possible with less demanding games, and achieving higher frame rates requires lower detail levels or dropping the resolution back to 1080p.

I started off my games testing with Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, turning ray tracing up to ultra, and the texture detail up to high. At these settings the NUC 970 manages 65fps with DLSS off, and 114fps with DLSS on. Pushing to higher frame rates at 1080p requires reducing the detail levels to low, which allows the NUC 970 to hit 150fps with DLSS on. Testing Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p, the 970 hits 55fps with all settings on high, and 72fps if DLSS is turned on. Scaling back ray tracing and dropping the detail back to medium allows the NUC 970 to just reach 100fps with DLSS on.

Other games tested (like Red Dead Redemption II and F1 2023), as well as a range of synthetic benchmarks, all tell the same story – the ROG NUC 970 is a competent 1440p gaming machine that performs at the same level as an RTX 4070-equipped gaming laptop.

Close of of underside of Asus ROG NUC 970 showing the fan inlet

The Asus ROG NUC 970 fans and cooling system is similar to that used on an 18-inch gaming laptop. (Image credit: Future)

CPU-only performance is quite good, and in prolonged, heavy, multicore workloads the NUC 970 runs a touch cooler (and much quieter) than a gaming laptop with the same Ultra 9 CPU. That said, the Ultra 9 is easily outclassed by gaming laptops equipped with 13th or 14th Gen i7 and i9 HX series CPUs.

The NUC 970 cooling system is larger than what you’d find in typical 14-inch or 16-inch gaming laptops, but not too different from the setups used in an 18-inch machine. This means the NUC cooling system has no trouble keeping the RTX 4070 from getting too hot without needing to run the fans at full speed. That said, the 970 isn’t exactly quiet when gaming – though it’s better than most laptops.

If browsing the internet or doing light work in quiet mode, it’s near silent, whereas heavier workloads will cause the fans to spin up to audible levels. Overall, the cooling system gets the job done but, considering the price of the NUC 970, I’d like to have seen quieter fans or a setup that helps get higher gaming performance from the GPU.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Asus ROG NUC 970 on a desk next to the very large power brick

The Asus ROG NUC 970 PSU is a monster, but can be hidden away under a desk.  (Image credit: Future)

SHOULD YOU BUY THE Asus ROG NUC 970?

Buy it if…

You want a very compact desktop machine
The NUC 970 has a unique form factor and style that can’t be matched by a normal gaming desktop.

You want no-fuss performance
The ROG NUC 970 is a competent gaming machine at 1440p or 1080p resolutions.

You want to install the RAM and SSD yourself
One advantage of the NUC system is being able to buy and install the RAM and storage yourself – though there’s also the option to buy it ready-to-go. 

Don’t buy it if...

You want bang-for-buck gaming
The NUC 970 is quite expensive for the gaming laptop-equivalent performance it gives, and a slightly larger gaming desktop can give much better performance or cost a lot less.

You want a very quiet gaming machine
While the NUC 970 isn't as noisy as a typical gaming laptop, it’s still much louder than most gaming desktops.

You want a productivity computer
The ROG NUC 970 makes for a powerful workstation machine, but the ASUS NUC 14 Performance has the same spec for a lower price.

Asus ROG NUC 970: Also consider

If my Asus ROG NUC 970 review has you considering other options, here are two small gaming desktops and a laptop to take a look at:

Alienware Aurora R16
While nowhere near as compact as the ROG NUC 970, the Aurora R16 has a desktop PC RTX 4070 with 12GB of RAM that gives much better gaming performance compared to the laptop RTX 4070 in the NUC 970. 

Check out the full Alienware Aurora R16 review

Asus ROG G22CH
The small form factor chassis used by the G22CH is larger than the NUC 970, but it does give much better gaming performance and can be cheaper depending on your region.

Take a look at the full Asus ROG G22CH review

Lenovo Legion 5i
A gaming laptop like the Legion 5i gives very similar performance to the Asus ROG NUC 970, but costs less and is much more versatile overall. 

Read the full Lenovo Legion 5i review

How I tested the ROG NUC 970

  • Synthetic gaming and productivity benchmarks
  • Real-world gaming benchmarks

I ran the Asus ROG NUC 970 through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, focused on both gaming and productivity use. I tested the ROG NUC 970 for a week, including using it in the living room connected to a TV for casual couch gaming and media playback. 

Read more about how we test.

  • First reviewed in June 2024
Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) review: incredible versatility and screens, held back by poor cooling
7:00 pm | August 25, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Two-minute review

The Zenbook Duo has always been a bit of a curious laptop. These Asus portables lie on the fringes of what you’d expect from high-end premium notebooks, bringing something of a gimmick to the forefront to differentiate the Zenbook.

For the uninitiated, the Duo in the name refers to the fact that this Zenbook packs two separate screens. Now this specific edition for 2024 has twin OLED panels, both offering a 2,880 x 1,800 resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate. Both screens are 14 inches, and both are fixed together, with the laptop’s internal hardware interlinked between the two displays. Keyboard and mouse support is provided by a Bluetooth solution that can simultaneously pseudo “wirelessly” charge off the bottom display as well (there’s a pin connector basically).

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s a very different laptop design, then, and one that brings some major caveats with it. In particular, cooling with the Zenbook Duo takes a hit because of the real-estate that those twin screens take up, and the need for this device to be relatively thin. Higher spec models of the Zenbook Duo (2024), like the one we’re reviewing here, are decent enough in short-term bursts of activity, but struggle with any form of prolonged and demanding CPU workloads. Gaming in particular feels sluggish and is often on the verge of being unplayable, even at 1080p resolution with medium settings.

Still, pricing isn’t entirely unreasonable. In the US the Zenbook Duo (2024) retails on average for around $1,829, and in the UK about £2,000 or so, and you get some serious hardware in the laptop. It is, however, still more of a MacBook alternative rather than a serious work machine, and certainly not one of the best laptops around. For that, you’ll need to look at the Asus Zenbook Pro instead.

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $1,829 / £2,000
  • When is it available? It's on sale now
  • Where can you get it? Newegg in the US, or Currys in the UK

At least on the surface, the Zenbook Duo appears to be remarkably good value for money. In our review model, Asus crammed in an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (Meteor Lake) processor with six performance cores, eight efficiency cores and two low-power cores (22-threads in total). This CPU has a rated maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, and sports a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for accelerating AI tasks. You get 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM (soldered, of course), and for storage you’re looking at a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.

The biggest selling point, though, has to be those twin OLED displays. They’re vibrant, punchy, and really do make this laptop a joy to use, helping to justify the price tag.

There are a number of different Zenbook Duo (2024) models out there right now, and you can pick up one with a Core Ultra 7 processor, and a 1TB SSD plus 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM for a lot less than our review model here. Although be warned that lower-end variant does come with lower resolution (1080p) screens (and a slower refresh rate).

  • Price: 4 / 5

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Specs

Here are the specs for the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) at a glance. 

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Design

  • OLED screens are phenomenal
  • It all feels impressively premium
  • Some interesting hardware decisions

Okay, let me be clear here. I’ve been testing laptops for years, and have toyed around with a number of top-tier premium solutions, many of which have been Asus devices. The Zenbook Duo, from a purely physical perspective, is an absolutely outstanding notebook. Those dual screens are beautifully crisp, with an impressive response time (7.6ms MPRT when tested), and a buttery smooth refresh rate to cap it all. They’re bright, colorful, and gorgeous to behold.

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The Duo’s not short on ports either, certainly not for a slim laptop. You get two USB Type-C, one USB-A (rated at 5Gbps), HDMI out, and a 4-pole 3.5mm analog jack as well. The keyboard (plus trackpad) is a Bluetooth affair, and, although not exactly thrilling with a simple design, it’s got an impressive battery life, and connects seamlessly to the Duo via magnets (and also charges pseudo-wirelessly via a pogo-pin off the Zenbook, as well).

The internal hardware is a little bit on the curious side, however. This particular model comes with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, which is quite a thirsty – and toasty – chip. It has an NPU built in, making the processor somewhat more potent at handling AI operations (although nowhere near as powerful as a dedicated GPU), but it does require some serious cooling to keep all that potency in check. I’ll talk a little bit more about that later.

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Other specs include 32GB of LPDDR5X soldered memory clocking in at an impressive 7,647MHz, and a 2TB WD SN740 M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD, which although hefty in capacity, does lack in some respects in terms of performance (I’ll come back to that, too).

Overall build quality is impressive, with tiny screen bezels, and the integrated webcam isn’t obtuse by any means. Asus has really done an incredible job of making this feel and act like a premium device.

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

You can use the Zenbook Duo in all manner of configurations. Detach the keyboard and run it wirelessly and you’ve got a flat screen on your table, and one propped up in front of you. Alternatively, you can pop the stand out on the bottom screen (the underside of the laptop) and perch both screens up on a table fairly seamlessly. You can also disable that bottom screen entirely by positioning the keyboard on top of it too, and even flip it onto its side, and run both displays in portrait mode, side-by-side.

It’s just a fantastically seamless experience all round really, and it’s a party trick that never quite gets old. Although one thing to note: if you do flip the Zenbook so both screens are portrait, you lose access to at least some of those ports on the bottom.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Performance

  • Day-to-day use is fine
  • CPU throttles during longer more intense workloads
  • SSD performance is underwhelming
Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) benchmarks

Here's how the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) performed in our suite of industry-standard benchmarks and game tests.

Geekbench 6:
Single - 2,330
Multi - 11,645
3DMark:
Night Raid - 23,008
Solar Bay - 11,989
CrossMark:
Productivity - 1,533
Creativity - 2,060
Responsiveness - 1,350
Overall -1,709
Cyberpunk 2077:

1080p - 17.8fps (Medium)
Total War: Warhammer III:

1080p - 16.3 (Medium)
Final Fantasy XIV:
1080p - 37.3 (Medium)
CrystalDiskMark:
Read: 5,242MB/s
Write: 4,813MB/s
Cinebench R24:
Single-core - 106
Multi-core - 429
PCMark 10 Battery Test: 8h 4m

I ran the Zenbook Duo through a gamut of tests to really weigh up its worth and see just how it performs, covering everything from longer creative CPU workloads, to gaming, to AI operations and everything between. Across the board, the Asus laptop is pretty average, which is a challenging thing to say when looking at an $1,800 laptop. Clearly the bulk of the manufacturing cost is spent on the displays.

The Core Ultra 9 185H is a hot and hungry CPU by its very design. Run the Zenbook Duo through any relatively short benchmark, like Geekbench 6 or CrossMark, and it’ll typically spit out some fairly decent numbers. Geekbench gives it a score of around 11,645, and by comparison, Asus’s Vivobook S 15, with its Arm-based Snapdragon X processor, flirts with 13,864 (19% faster) in that test. The Acer Swift Go 14, with its Core Ultra 5 125H, manages 10,809  (7% slower) as well.

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Throw something a little more intense at the Duo, though, and soon enough the heat issues become apparent. In Cinebench 2024 the Zenbook Duo scored a paltry 429 in the multi-core test. The Core Ultra 5 in the Acer Swift managed 636, and the Vivobook S 15 an impressive 925 by comparison. That is a big difference, and it’s mostly down to clock speed falling off a cliff as the Zenbook throttles under the thermal load.

Then there’s the storage. Top-line sequential figures generally come out fairly well here. The 2TB drive produces 5,242MB/s read and 4,813MB/s write speeds, about on par with an average PCIe 4.0 SSD in a laptop, most likely due to a larger onboard cache. Where it falls apart a little is in the random 4K writes. The SN740 managed only 120MB/s whereas the 500GB Kingston drive in the Swift hit 227MB/s, and the drive in the Vivobook S reached 211MB/s. Random 4K benchmarking reflects Windows and game-loading performance, so that’s not so great to see here.

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of gaming, at 1080p on medium presets, it is possible to eke out some semi-tolerable performance. Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail managed 37.3 frames per second (fps), but Total War Warhammer 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 (without XeSS and no ray tracing) were both under the 20 fps mark. Enable XeSS and Cyberpunk jumps up to a 26 fps average, but it’s still not exactly comfortable for many modern titles. The results are predictably worse at the Duo’s native resolution on low graphical presets, with even Final Fantasy’s Dawntrail benchmark clocking in at just 22.1 fps.

For AI testing I used UL Procyon’s AI Computer Vision benchmark with Float16 accuracy. Under CPU power alone, and in Windows’ Machine Learning API, the Zenbook Duo scored just 28, whereas again the Core Ultra 5 in the Swift Go managed 32 by comparison. Matters do improve if you switch to using the integrated GPU in that scenario, with the Zenbook landing 230 versus the Swift’s 194, but it’s still not a patch on a dedicated GPU which typically reaches well above the 1,000 mark, if not much higher (an RTX 4080, for reference, nets a score of around 1,940).

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

For day-to-day work then, the Zenbook Duo is a good pick. Its crisp displays and smooth desktop experience are beautiful to behold. However, if you are looking at any major rendering operation, or something that involves consistent workloads over a longer period of time, you are going to be severely limited by that Core Ultra 9 chip. Unfortunately, the difference between the Core Ultra 7 and the Ultra 9 mostly comes down to professional-grade features, rather than a reduction in core count, so you’re not likely to see improved performance with lower spec models either.

  • Performance: 2.5 / 5

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Battery life

  • Battery life is solid
  • Intel chips still lag behind Arm, though

The Zenbook Duo comes with a 75WHr battery as standard, paired with a 65W charger. It’s rapid enough to charge up, although not the fastest by any means. I used the Zenbook Duo as my daily driver for around two weeks or so, and found it to be more than adequate for holding a day’s worth of charge in the office.

I also benchmarked it utilizing a mixture of tests in PCMark 10. The video test in particular, with 50% screen brightness and no audio, managed just over eight hours before the device hit 3% charge. Gaming, as you’d probably expect, was far more demanding (and tested at 75% screen brightness), lasting for only a smidge over two hours before meeting the same fate.

That’s not bad, all things considered – and the fact Asus has even managed to cram in a 75WHr battery is nothing short of impressive. The Acer Swift, which has a 65WHr battery (about 13% smaller), only lasted for six hours in PCMark’s video test. Still, in both scenarios those are solid numbers, certainly for laptops with x86 chips. Neither of them, however, hold a candle to the Snapdragon X Elite in the Vivobook S 15, which lasted a phenomenal 12 hours.

  • Battery: 3.5 / 5

The Asus Zenbook Duo laptop photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024)?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for a versatile notebook with stunning screens
There’s no denying those twin 3K OLED panels are phenomenal to look at, with high refresh rates, a solid response time, and beautifully crisp colors. These screens themselves make the Zenbook Duo a tempting proposition.

You want a premium notebook ideal for office productivity work
The Duo is perfect for those looking for a Windows alternative to a mid-range MacBook. It might not have the clout of an Arm processor, but if you’re not into that, this Zenbook will have you covered.

Don't buy it if... 

You’re a creative with longer, more demanding, workloads
Rendering video? Working with large datasets? Managing AI workloads? This isn’t the laptop for you. Thermal throttling seriously hinders its overall performance by no small margin.

You’re looking for the best battery life
Similarly, Intel’s Core Ultra series may be better than its past mobile CPU offerings, and those from AMD, but Meteor Lake still doesn’t hold a candle to the Snapdragon processors now out in the wild.

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024): Also consider

Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+
It’s the Arm-based Snapdragon chip in this notebook that really dominates in performance terms, but it’s all bundled together with a beautiful design, plus phenomenal pricing.

Read the full Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ review

Acer Swift Go 14
This laptop is far more affordable than the Asus Zenbook Duo. What it lacks in extra screens, it makes up for with stellar performance for the price – plus it’s still an OLED display here, too.

Read the full Acer Swift Go 14 review

How I tested the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024)

  • Used the laptop for two weeks as my daily driver
  • Tested it for work and gaming
  • Ran a whole gamut of benchmarks

With all the laptops I get in for review, I aim to use them for at least two weeks as my daily driver, answering emails, using them for work, doing a bit of light content streaming (Netflix, YouTube and Spotify), as well as some light Photoshop work and gaming too. I also run them through a myriad of benchmarks designed to push the laptops to the absolute limit of their potential, to ensure that they perform well in any scenario, not just day-to-day office use.

I’ve been reviewing laptops and PCs for well over nine years now, and have evaluated many, many devices in that time. Intel’s Core Ultra chips are certainly a step in the right direction, but I can’t help but feel that the time of x86 chips might be coming to an end.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed August 2024
OWC Envoy 1TB portable SSD review
4:03 pm | July 14, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

OWC Envoy 1TB: 30-second review

Specs

Capacity: 1TB (2TB version also available)
Interface: NVMe M.2
Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
Data Transfer Rate: Up to 10 Gb/s
Dimensions: 7.1 x 3.8 x 1.2 cm
Weight: 44.5 g
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS
Material: Aircraft-grade aluminium
Power: Bus-powered
Warranty: 3-year OWC Limited Warranty

The OWC Envoy 1TB is an ultra-portable NVMe SSD that blends performance, capacity, size, and flexibility in its use. It is one of a growing number of high-performance portable SSDs aimed at the pro market and differs from standard portable SSDs in size, build quality, and performance. 

Sure enough, unboxing the Envoy reveals a sleek, palm-sized drive that instantly impresses with its aircraft-grade aluminium housing. Like many of the best portable SSDs, this housing provides both durability and heat dissipation when the drive is under pressure, all to prevent thermal throttling, especially useful when editing video. The only connection to the drive is a single USB Type-C connector, which provides the power and data transfer to keep things small and simple. 

Setting up the Envoy is straightforward. It comes pre-formatted with Apple File System (APFS) for immediate use with Mac devices, but Windows users can easily reformat using OWC's free Drive Guide. This needs to be done on a Mac unless you have some technical knowledge of drive formatting on a PC. Whatever file system you choose, the USB-C cable ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, from the present generation of Macs and iPads to PCs and Android tablet

Performance-wise, the Envoy matches the build quality with an equally impressive performance. In our tests connected to a MacBook Pro M1 Max, the SSD achieved read speeds of 826MB/s and write speeds of 961MB/s using the AJA System Test Lite, while the ATTO Disk Benchmark recorded read speeds of 946.36MB/s and write speeds of 1010MB/s. Reformatting to ExFAT for use with an Intel NUC resulted in even better performance, with read speeds of 1036.84MB/s and write speeds of 1041.76MB/s on CrystalDiskMark.

The Envoy's robust build quality and high performance make it ideal for a variety of uses, and while it can be used in the office, out in the field is really where the build quality and performance will come into its own. Aside from the standard storage and backup that all drives offer, the design of the Envoy lends itself to use by creatives, who need to use the drive to create content and therefore need a drive that is able to cope with being used as an intensive working drive for editing video, photos, or audio production. It can also be connected, with the correct formatting, to iPad, Tablet, Smartphone, camera, and other devices to expand internal storage. The small size makes it easy to attach to a huge variety of devices. 

However, while the Envoy excels in many areas, it does have some limitations. Our review samples' maximum capacity of 1TB will be limited for some users, especially those who are shooting videos, however for most other users 1TB is still substantial. 

Overall, the OWC Envoy 1TB is a superb portable SSD that delivers on performance. Its combination of speed, portability, and rugged design makes it an excellent option, especially for creative professionals.

OWC Envoy 1TB: Price & availability

OWC Envoy 1TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The OWC Envoy 1TB SSD is available for purchase from OWC's website and various retailers. Prices start at $149.99 for the 1TB model. The 2TB model is also available if you need additional storage capacity. The Envoy SSD also comes with a 3-year limited warranty, ensuring peace of mind for long-term use.

  • Score: 4/5

OWC Envoy 1TB: Design & build

OWC Envoy 1TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The appeal of these compact portable SSDs is not only their capacity and speed but also the fact that they can easily be connected to devices other than a PC or Mac. The Envoy's small size and weight mean that it can easily be attached to the back of an iPhone 15 Pro, for example, to enable ProRes video recording; likewise, if your iPad Pro is limited on space, then the Envoy's design is ideal and discrete for boosting the storage capacity. 

While the physical size is ideal for a multitude of uses, the design and build quality are also tuned to high-demand work. The full aluminium outer casing gives the drive a quality look and feel, but it also serves the dual function of helping to keep the drive cool under heavy workloads such as Editing in Final Cut Pro X. This should help prevent thermal throttling, something that many compact drives of this size can suffer from. 

When it comes to size, the dimensions are small at 71 x 38 x 12 mm and a weight of just 44.5 g. This not only makes the Envoy one of the smallest and lightest drives available, but it also means that it is exceptionally portable, fitting easily into a pocket or bag or sticking to the back of a device. As is common with these small drives, there is only one point of connection, and this is through a USB-C port, which offers compatibility with laptops and tablets to desktops and mobile devices.

When the SSDs arrive, the plug-and-play functionality means that you can plug it directly into a Mac, and the drive comes pre-formatted with APFS for Mac users. Windows and other OS users can reformat the drive using OWC's provided tools on a Mac, and while this can be done through a PC, it takes some technical know-how to do. On the front of the drives is a status LED indicator that shows whether it's connected and when it's in use and busy. 

  • Design & build: 4/5

OWC Envoy 1TB: Features

The OWC Envoy 1TB SSD is advertised to offer data transfer speeds exceeding 1000MB/s, which should ensure that files for backup, storage, and work are handled with speed. This makes Envoy a good portable choice for creatives working with large media files, business professionals managing extensive documents, and even students.

The Envoy offers universal compatibility with USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt (USB-C) devices across various operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Linux, iPadOS, and Android. However, as mentioned previously, the drive arrives as an APFS file system, so you will need to reformat it to your desired format.

As with many OWC high-performance drives, the rugged aircraft-grade aluminium housing is a feature. This not only protects the internal components from damage when the drive is in a pocket or thrown in a kit bag but also prevents thermal throttling by dissipating heat when under load. 

If you're worried about security, the Envoy supports built-in encryption on macOS and Windows, enabling secure data protection with password security. This is all set through the PC or Mac's operating system rather than being part of the initial software solution that you use when setting up the drive. 

  • Features 4/5

OWC Envoy 1TB: Performance

OWC Envoy 1TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

Score tested on a MacBook Pro m1

AJA System Test Lite (APFS, MacBook Pro M1 Max): Read: 826MB/s, Write: 961MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark (APFS, MacBook Pro M1 Max): Read: 946.36MB/s, Write: 1010MB/s
AmorphousDiskMark (APFS, MacBook Pro M1 Max): Read: 921.13MB/s, Write: 833.98MB/s

Scores tested on an Intel Nuc 9 Ghost Canyon

AJA System Test Lite (ExFAT, Intel NUC): Read: 948MB/s, Write: 991MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark (ExFAT, Intel NUC): Read: 1010MB/s, Write: 1020MB/s
CrystalDiskMark (ExFAT, Intel NUC): Read: 1036.84MB/s, Write: 1041.76MB/s
AS SSD (ExFAT, Intel NUC): Read: 986.52MB/s, Write: 990.50MB/s

When the OWC Envoy 1TB SSD arrives, it can be plugged directly into a Mac with the provided USB Type-C cable and used without any need for setup. However, on the drive is the OWC Drive Guide (Mac) and a readme.txt file that guides you through the process of formatting the drive for its intended use. The software is very slick and easy to understand, although it is only single use, and once you select the option, this app is removed and replaced with a Start Here.pdf that guides you to the OWC website for support, including how to change the format if you need to. Essentially, this is all very typically OWC and well thought through.

In this test, we have focused on the use of the OWC Envoy 1TB SSD with a MacBook Pro M1 Max with APFS formatting; throughout the Benchmark tests, it achieved impressive read and write speeds, making it suitable for high-speed data transfers and demands applications such as video editing in FinalCut Pro X. In all the Benchmark tests, the drive flew through with speeds matching those quoted by OWC over sustained periods, and while the drive did get warm, it was never overly hot to touch.

In use with Final Cut Pro X, the small drive performed incredibly well, keeping up with the demands of video editing with 4K RAW footage shot on the Canon EOS R5 C. Again, while the drive was warm to the touch, it wasn't overly so. Switching the real-world testing format to recording ProRes on the iPhone 15 Pro, the smartphone took a couple of seconds to recognise the drive before it flickered into life and enabled the ProRes Log mode recording. Likewise, when connected to cameras such as the Blackmagic 6K, which supports external SSD recording, the drive is instantly recognised once formatted properly.  

Overall, through real-world tests and the use of various computers and devices, the Envoy proved to be a great way to boost storage capacity, providing both speed and reliability.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the OWC Envoy 1TB?

If you need a high-speed, portable SSD for a variety of tasks, the OWC Envoy 1TB is an excellent choice. While it will suit office work, especially if you're on the move, this drive's real strength comes when it is used for high-demand tasks such as creative work. 

While the drive comes pre-formatted in the APFS file system, it is easy enough to reformat into your desired file system. This gives it flexible compatibility with a range of devices. What's more and less common is the robust all-metal design, which helps not only keep the drive safe but also ensures that the speed of the drive remains consistent, making it ideal for a wide range of uses. 

OWC Envoy 1TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

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TeamGroup PD20M Mag portable SSD review
10:02 am | June 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: 30-second review

The TeamGroup PD20M Mag is one of a number of expansion storage devices that have recently been released; however, this is one of the only ones that takes full advantage of the compact nature of SSD and MagSafe technology. The drive is designed to be mounted onto the back of a smartphone, and an internal magnet is used to hold it in position. Then, a USB Type-C cable can be used to connect the phone to the drive; it really couldn't be more simple.

While the drive does add a small amount of additional bulk to the phone, it isn't huge. The neat mount design retains the phone's streamlined look and feel, avoiding the need to attach the drive through Velcro or other means.

The drive performs extremely well in use, enabling the recording of ProRes video on an iPhone 15 Pro while vastly expanding the available storage.

Having reviewed many of the best portable SSDs, we were suitably impressed with this offering from TeamGroup. In our tests, the drive proved impressively quick, achieving test scores close to the 2000MB/s transfer speeds quoted by the manufacturer.

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Pricing & availability

  • How much does it cost? $199.99
  • When is it available? Now
  • Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The TeamGroup PD20M Mag is available now, starting at $129.99 for the 1TB model and $199.99 for the 2TB model. You can purchase it directly from the official TeamGroup website by clicking here, or authorized retailers.

  • Value: 4.5/5

TeamGroup PD20M

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Benchmark

Using a selection of benchmarking software the PD20M achieved a maximum read speed of 2025MB/s using CrystalDiskMark and a write speed of 1774MB/s with CrystalDiskMark. 

TeamGroup PD20M

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Specs

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Build & handling

This portable SSD is compact and stylish. The sleek, robust aluminum alloy enclosure protects the internal SSD and aids with heat dissipation when in use. The drive is only available in a titanium gray finish, reflecting the Apple line of products and giving it the same premium look and feel despite its small size and weight.

When it comes to those all-important dimensions, at 70mm x 62mm x 8.2mm and weighing 58g, the PD20M Mag is one of the smallest and most portable drives of its type, ideally designed to be mounted onto your mobile.

To help maximize data transfer speeds, the drive makes the most of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C technology with a port that enables direct connection to any USB Type-C smartphone port or computer.

TeamGroup PD20M

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
  • Design 5/5

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Features

The focus of this compact portable SSD is to be used with your mobile phone to expand its storage for media, as well as enable you to record high-quality video footage directly to the drive. On devices such as the iPhone 15 Pro, an external SSD is required to record ProRes footage since native recording onto internal storage isn't possible.

As such, the PD20M Mag is designed to offer the high performance required by demanding data types and sizes and the durability to be used on a mobile device.

When it comes to transfer speeds, it offers read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s, enabled by NVMe technology and the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface.

The aluminium alloy enclosure has several functions for the drive. Firstly, it's sleek and MagSafe-compatible, meaning that when it comes into contact with the MagSafe area on the back of the phone, it sticks, holding itself in place with no need for fixings. Then, the connection cable can be attached. The sleek design also makes it slim to the body of the phone, and while it does add bulk, it's still comfortable to hold and actually holds securely in place.

As the drive is designed to be plug-and-play, in apps that support external storage, it instantly appears as a destination or can be selected as one from the mobile device's OS interface.

While the drive is designed for use with mobile technology, it's equally at home with laptops and other drive-enabled devices. Again, the small size and weight, along with the fast transfer speeds, offer all the features you could want from a small portable SSD.

  • Features: 4.5/5

TeamGroup PD20M Mag: Performance

In performance tests, we started by using the PD20M Mag connected to an iPhone 15 Pro. As usual, it takes a few seconds for the camera app to recognize the drive and then give you access to the option to switch on the ProRes file format. Once selected, the screen colours dull, and contrast reduces, showing that the phone is now primed and ready to film in the Pro format. While the onscreen visuals of this Pro format may look worse than the out-of-the-box options for colour and contrast, when it comes to editing, the greater dynamic range and colour profiles will give you far more scope to edit and colour grade in production.

The ability to connect the drive is straightforward, and both Apple and Android phones enable easy connection. The MagSafe on the iPhone holds the drive neatly and with strength. In use, handling the phone with the drive attached did add a little bulk, but more was needed to make the phone uncomfortable to use or difficult to handle. Likewise, the lightweight, sleek design means that little weight is added to the phone, and it's easy to mount on a DJI OSMO Mobile 6 with no issues.

Connected to the phone and used to boost the storage for filming and photography, the drive works faultlessly, and the design with the MagSafe hold to the phone makes this by far the best design out there at present.

Away from being used as expansion storage for mobiles, the small drive also works well as a standard portable SSD. Again, the small size enables it to be easily mounted to the back of a laptop monitor, although some form of MagSafe mount will need to be attached first. Although small, the speed of the drive is impressive and can be used to edit footage shot on the iPhone; the drive can be used for both storage and editing of the footage with speed to keep up with the demands of the editing process.

In the benchmark tests carried out utilizing the USB Type-C port on an Intel Ghost Canyon, the drive put in an excellent performance, with CrystalDiskMark showing impressive read and write speeds of 2025MB/s and 1774MB/s. AJA System, AS SSD, and ATTO tests showed slightly slower speeds, albeit still impressively fast, showing that it's suitable for video editing and other intensive tasks.

One thing to note with the drive is that the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, while fast, does require a compatible port. For PC users, the port is common, but just make sure that you have the Gen 2x2 and not just the Gen 2; otherwise, the speed will be limited. Likewise, for all Mac users with Thunderbolt 4, while the port is compatible, it also limits the transfer rate speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 devices so that those top speeds won't be possible.

However, any way you look at the drive, for use as a way to expand your phone's storage, this SSD offers a huge amount of capacity and is one of the best designs for this style of drive available. What's more, at the price, it isn't too expensive and will offer you greater versatility with your phone, making it a worthwhile investment.

  • Performance: 4.5/5

TeamGroup PD20M

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Should I buy the TeamGroup PD20M Mag?

The TeamGroup PD20M Mag portable SSD is an excellent choice if you wish to use your mobile for filming high-quality videos. The ability to quickly add plug-and-play 2TB of additional storage is a huge boost to your mobile's capabilities. Not only does it vastly expand your phone's capabilities, but the sleek MagSafe design makes it easy to mount and use.

There are the usual issues with transfer speeds around the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port when it comes to Mac systems, but most PC users will benefit from the lightning-fast speeds. Even if the performance is downgraded on a Mac, those transfer speeds are still impressive and more than enough to keep up with the demands of most users, be that just for storage or for more advanced functions such as use with the camera apps.

Overall, an excellent portable SSD that is as useful connected to a mobile phone as it is to a computer, with the quality of data transfer and physical design to ensure that it's a worthwhile investment.


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Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD review
5:06 pm | June 18, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD: 30-second review

Specs

Capacities available: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Size: 141.5x55x16mm
Weight: 120g
Enclosure material: Alloy + Silicone
Connector: USB3.2 GEN2x2 Type-C
Technology: QLC NAND Flash
Warranty (in years): 5-years
Rated R/W speeds (MB/s): Read up to 2050MB/s, Write up to 1800MB/s
Software bundle: N/A

The Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD is a portable hard drive designed to withstand conditions that would cause most other portable SSDs to fail. The drive's overall aesthetic reflects its robust nature, and its triple defence shield ensures that it's waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, all helping to protect Yata even in harsh environments. 

We've tested out the best portable SSDs and the best rugged hard drives, so we were keen to get our hands on the Orico Mecha to find out what it offers. Performance-wise, the SSD supports speeds up to 20Gbps, with read speeds up to 2050MB/s and write speeds up to 1800MB/s. This makes it suitable for transferring large files, such as video and image files quickly, and can be used as a working drive to both store and edit creative work. As well as the tough outer casing the internals feature advanced electronics with a high-performance SSD chip that features temperature lock technology that will prevent the drive from overheating, and sure enough through the test for short on-site edits of 4K video from the Canon EOS R5 C the drive handle the footage and edit with ease.

Compatibility is worth mentioning with the drive supporting USB 3.2 Gen2x2 protocol, which instantly makes it compatible with various devices, including laptops, desktops, and smartphones. In the box is a 2-in-1 data cable (C to C/A) maximising the options for connection. One issue to note is that if your computer is USB 3.2 Gen 1 or uses Thunderbolt 3 or 4, then the maximum transfer rates will be reduced to that of USB 3.2 Gen 1 which is around 1000MB/s. 

While the price is relatively high for a 2TB drive, the fact that it's quite so robust and, with the right connection, offers outstanding speeds, this is a great option, especially for creative professionals such as photographers and videographers. 

Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD: Price & availability

ORICO Mecha Portable SSD 2TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD is priced at £121/$149 and can be purchased from online retailers like eBay and Amazon.

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  • Score: 4/5

Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD: Design & build

ORICO Mecha Portable SSD 2TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Orico's SSD features a decidedly outdoorsy and robust design, which reflects its intended use as a portable SSD that can be used in tough environments. The exterior of the drive features a high-strength alloy and silicone shell that you can feel with, providing excellent protection against being dropped, sudden shocks and being bashed around in a kit bag. What's more, with the USB Type-C cable removed, there's a silicon plug that protects the port making the drive completely water-resistant. While Orico states that the drive is waterproof, there is no IP rating for the drive, so although it is well made and seemingly sealed, it's worth taking care over water ingress. 

However, the design is robust, and with the hanging loop, the drive can easily be tethered to the inside of a backpack so it can be located when needed. To connect to a computer, a USB cable with a C to adapter is included. This can be swapped and changed, but it is of high quality and will help to maximise those transfer speeds with the right equipment. 

Overall, the materials used in the construction are all of high quality, and while it may not have any official ratings for water or dust ingress, the drive feels reassuringly durable. 

  • Design & build: 4/5

Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD: Features

This SSD is aimed at professionals working in the field, and in environments that would test most portable SSDs to the point of destruction. Taking a look at the features, it's possible to see just how robust this drive appears to be and raises a high standard for real-world tests. Firstly, the outer shell, made from alloy and silicon, is well-made and finished and feels incredibly durable. There's nothing lightweight or flimsy about the build, and unlike some other metal enclosures, this drive feels solid with no flex.

The alloy case will inevitably aid with the cooling of the drive when put under load editing video and images, but to ensure that the drive doesn't overheat and burn out it features a high-performance chip with temperature lock technology

In order to reach impressive transfer speeds, a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 connection is utilised, which has wide compatibility with various devices. It's worth checking to see if your hardware has this exact configuration, which is mainstream. However, Mac users, along with some high end laptops, may find that the performance will be throttled due to the backward compatibility of thunderbolt ports to USB 3.2 Gen2x1 rather than USB 3.2 Gen2x2.

  • Features 4/5

Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD: Performance

ORICO Mecha Portable SSD 2TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark, read: 2068.62MB/s Write: 1836MB/s
AJA: read: 1849MB/s Write: 1665MB/s
ATTO: read: 1930MB/s Write: 1740MB/s
AS SSD: 1898.15MB/s Write: 1654.79MB/s

The stated performance is impressive with the quoted speeds highlighting rates of up to 20Gbps. However, tested on a MacBook Pro 16-inch M1 (still one of the best MacBook Pro laptops for our money), those transfer rates looked more like read 989MB/s and Write 919MB/s; this is due to the downgrade in performance for the Gen2x2 connection going through the Thunderbolt 4 ports. However, switching over to one of the best mini PCs - the Intel NUC 9 Ghost Canyon with a PCIe USB 3.2 Gen2x2 card - performance rates were far more impressive. 

In continuous test, the drive was put under strain for several hours in an environment of around 20ºC. The drive continued to perform extremely well, with the transfer speeds keeping up the pace with little overall effect on the performance. 

Switching the testing from the studio to the field, the drive was first used as a backup drive for images and video during a day's shoot. Due to the Thunderbolt to USB 3.2 Gen2x2 downgrade, transfer speeds were slightly slower than expected. However, at nearly 1000MB/s, those speeds were still impressive, enabling 200GB of data to transfer from an OWC CFExpress card in 5 minutes and 37 seconds.

Doing the same on the Intel NUC 9 Ghost Canyon sees a leap in performance, although, in the field, the computers are connected to a Bluetti AC180 with a compact monitor to monitor the download speeds. Here again, with the Thunderbolt 3 connection for the OWC CFExpress to the ORICO Mecha Portable SSD 2TB, the transfer rate is more impressive at 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Switching the drive's use from storage to editing in Final Cut Pro X on the Mac and Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve on the Intel NUC 9, the drive is able to keep up with the demands at an impressive rate. Despite being used as a working drive, the enclosure stays impressively cool, and intermittently checking the transfer rates with AJA System Test Lite shows little, if any, drop in performance. 

With the transfer test completed, it was time to put the drive through a few additional tests, including being dropped from a height and sprayed with water. In both tests, the drive, although cosmetically affected with some slight wear and tear, continued to work well. Overall, it was an impressive all-around performance.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Orico Mecha 2TB portable SSD?

The Orico Mecha SSD is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a durable, high-performance storage solution that can be used for storage or as a portable working drive. The rugged build quality with the strong alloy to protect the delicate electronics surrounded by the silicon provides an impressive amount of protection, and throughout the test, the high-speed capabilities impressed and proved that this is a great drive for a variety of environments and uses, from the office to the great outdoors. 

Looking at a few points about the drive that are worth considering, while the drive is impressively robust it doesn't have any official certification or rating so some care will need to be taken when using it in adverse conditions, then there's the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 issue, especially for Mac users, although you'll have a fast drive it will be about half of its overall potential. Still, although the price might be a consideration, the SSD's performance and durability do justify the investment.

ORICO Mecha Portable SSD 2TB

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

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PNY RP60 portable SSD review
7:14 pm | June 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , | Comments: Off

PNY RP60 portable SSD: 30-second review

Specs

Capacities available:1TB, 2TB
Size: 97.3 x 59.9 x 12.4 mm.
Weight: 55g
Enclosure material: rubber
Connector: USB 3.2 Gen2x2
Technology: SSD
Warranty (in years): 3
Rated R/W speeds (MB/s): Up to 2000MB/s / 1800MB/s
Software bundle: Acronis True Image Data Protection Software

The PNY RP60 Portable SSD 1TB sports a sleek, matte black rubberized finish with a subtle PNY logo, enhancing its aesthetic and functionality. This finish not only offers protection against the elements with its IP65 rating—making it essentially shower-proof and resilient against harsh dust storms—but also ensures stability. Its non-slip surface allows it to be securely placed on a car or van bonnet, or taped to a tripod or rig without slipping. The drive's size and design make it an ideal solution for expanding the video storage of iPhones and other smartphones, especially useful when filming, as it can be easily attached to the back of the phone.

A standout feature here is the flat USB cable, reminiscent of a computer data ribbon, which facilitates neat routing around any attached equipment. Additionally, the small carabiner loop at one corner allows the drive to be hooked into a bag or case, securing it conveniently and making it easily accessible within a camera bag's internal loops.

Having tested out plenty of the best portable SSDs, performance-wise, the drive holds up solidly when connected to a true USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port with speeds that just exceed those stated by PNY. However, Mac users with Thunderbolt 4 ports will find the performance downgraded, averaging closer to 1000MB/s rather than the expected 1800MB/s. Nevertheless, these speeds are sufficient for editing tasks, including handling 4K Log3 footage from devices like the Canon EOS R5 C and meeting the demands of any of the best video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

PNY RP60 portable SSD: Price & availability

PNY RP60 Portable SSD

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The PNY RP60 portable SSD 1TB is widely available at most electronics and photography stores, such as Adorama and B&H Photo, for around $99. There is also a 2TB version of the drive available for $179.

  • Score: 4/5

PNY RP60 portable SSD: Design & build

PNY RP60 Portable SSD

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The PNY RP60 Portable SSD 1TB, despite its IP65 certification and drop-proof rating of 3m, isn't marketed as a tough drive. When compared to rugged drives designed to withstand intense physical abuse, the RP60 is clearly a lighter option with added protection rather than built for extreme durability.

Weighing just 55g, the drive feels lightweight. Its rubberized casing is well-enclosed, with the only opening being the USB Type-C port at the base, which is protectively sealed by an attached rubber cover. Although there's a slight flexibility at the top of the case when squeezed, the build quality seems sufficiently robust for both indoor and outdoor use.

The rubberized casing enhances the drive's durability, and being an SSD with no moving parts inherently makes it more robust than traditional mechanical HDDs. However, the rubber port cover's attachment is a weak point—it detaches easily and is tricky to reinsert, likely necessitating reinforcement with tape in field use.

The inclusion of a flat cable is advantageous, allowing for easy mounting by laying it flat against the side of the drive. The cable's connection to the port is secure, enabling the drive to be suspended by the cable without undue stress due to the drive being lightweight. An improvement could be made to reinforce the cable connection, as seen in other models.

The carabiner loop on the top edge is a practical addition, mirroring a trend in drive design. This feature allows the drive to be easily hooked onto a bag loop or securely attached to equipment, a belt, or other items, making it particularly useful in a professional field environment. This simple yet vital feature significantly enhances the drive's utility.

  • Design & build: 4/5

PNY RP60 portable SSD: Features

The PNY RP60 1TB SSD boasts an impressive mix of speed, durability, and compatibility, featuring high-speed data transfers with sequential read and write speeds reaching up to 2,000 MB/s and 1,800 MB/s respectively. 

Designed to withstand the rigours of active use, the RP60 incorporates durable materials and design elements that offer protection against water and dust, meet IP65 standards, and can withstand accidental drops from heights up to 3 meters (approximately 9.8 feet).

Despite its design can hardly be considered one of the best rugged hard drives out there. The RP60 remains lightweight at 55g and includes an integrated loop, making it easy to slide into a pocket or securely clip onto a backpack or camera bag.

The RP60 is engineered for compatibility with a broad range of devices, including the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, iPads, Android smartphones, tablets, as well as laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles, facilitated by its standard USB Type-C connection.

A standout feature of the RP60 is the inclusion of Acronis True Image Data Protection software, providing an additional layer of security. This backup software, intended for PC use, offers backup and data recovery services to help safeguard your data, ensuring it is easily restorable in case of data loss.

  • Features 4/5

PNY RP60 portable SSD: Performance

PNY RP60 Portable SSD

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark, read: 2067.91MB/s Write: 1818.60MB/s
AJA: read: 1876MB/s Write: 1648MB/s
ATTO: read: 1940MB/s Write: 1720MB/s
AS SSD: 1887.55MB/s Write: 1663.37MB/s

The PNY RP60's design focuses on durability, tailored to the needs of those working in the field. Its rubberized exterior, flat cable, and loop all contribute to its robustness. In our tests, we explored the drive's potential as a storage solution for image and video files, utilizing Acronis True Image for data backup in the studio.

Initial impressions are positive; the rubberized finish ensures the drive stays securely in place whether it's on a desk, a car bonnet, or a rock. Its compact size and weight, combined with a velcro attachment, allow for easy mounting on the back of a monitor, reducing strain on the cable during movement.

A key feature is the flat cable, which is particularly useful when the drive is connected to a rig as a direct storage device for video file recording, compatible with cameras like the Blackmagic 6K Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. The drive maintains the required transfer rates and integrates neatly, allowing the cable to be taped down for a more streamlined setup.

When tested with one what's still of the best MacBook Pro laptops around - the 16-inch M1 model, the RP60 performed well with applications like Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, handling footage playback without lag. However, after extensive use in video editing, the drive exhibited some heat-related slowdowns, with write speeds dropping to about 450MB/s in the AJA System Test Light after two hours of editing 4K video.

Benchmark tests on both Mac and PC systems revealed a difference in performance levels. The Mac maxed out with read speeds around 1100MB/s and write speeds peaking at approximately 950MB/s—fast, but not as fast as advertised.

Switching over to an Intel NUC 9 Extreme Ghost Canyon with a PCIe USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 card installed the speed accelerated, maxing out with Crystal Disk Mark at 2067.91MB/s read and 1818.60MB/s write, just exceeding the stated speeds from PNY.

Editing footage from the drive in DaVinci Resolve on the PC highlighted the potential of this drive, you just need to be aware that to make the most of the performance you need to be using a dedicated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port and not a backward compatible Thunderbolt 3 or 4.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the PNY RP60 portable SSD?

The PNY RP60 Portable SSD 1TB is an excellent choice for professionals and adventurers seeking reliable, rugged storage for on-the-go use. With its high-speed data transfer capabilities, robust build quality, and broad compatibility with various devices, it meets the needs of those looking for a versatile storage solution. In real-world tests, the drive's performance for high-demand applications was excellent, making it a great choice for outdoor or challenging environments where durability is essential.

PNY RP60 Portable SSD

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

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