An SSD, or solid state drive, is a type of computer storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently. Unlike a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), SSDs contain no moving mechanical components and instead use microchips to retain data ([1]). SSDs are typically faster, more reliable, and more power efficient than HDDs.
A portable drive is a small, lightweight external storage device that can be transported and connected to different computers via USB, Thunderbolt or other interfaces. Portable drives allow you to take your files, photos, videos and other data with you and access it from different devices. They provide a way to back up important data and expand beyond the limited storage on laptops or mobile devices.
This article examines whether an SSD can serve as a portable drive. We will look at the performance factors, hardware and OS compatibility, security features, top external SSD options, and use cases to help determine if an SSD can effectively function as a portable drive.
SSD Overview
SSDs (solid state drives) store data on flash memory chips rather than magnetic platters like traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). This allows SSDs to access data much faster than HDDs. The lack of moving parts also makes SSDs more durable and shock-resistant.
Some key pros of SSDs are:
- Much faster read/write speeds than HDDs – often 10x faster (ref: SSD vs HDD: Choosing Your Storage Solution)
- More durable and reliable due to no moving parts (ref: Pros and Cons of Solid State Drives)
- Compact and lightweight build
Some cons of SSDs are:
- More expensive per GB than HDDs
- Lower capacities available than HDDs
SSDs excel at applications requiring fast access like operating systems, games, and productivity software. They are commonly used as boot drives and for primary storage in desktops, laptops, and servers (ref: Pros and Cons of Solid State Drives).
Portable Drive Uses
A portable drive is designed to be small, lightweight, and does not require an external power source, making it easy to transport data on the go. Portable drives connect to a computer through a USB port, allowing you to quickly access, store, back up, and transfer files.
The most common types of portable drives are USB flash drives, also known as thumb drives, and external hard disk drives (HDDs). These drives can range anywhere from a few gigabytes to multiple terabytes of storage capacity.
Typical use cases for portable drives include:
- Transferring files between computers
- Backing up important data
- Storing and accessing files while traveling
- Sharing large files that are too large to email
- Running operating system installers or diagnostics
- Booting a secondary operating system from the drive
The ability to quickly plug a portable drive into any computer makes them incredibly handy for accessing, storing, and transporting data on the go.
Using an SSD as a Portable Drive
SSDs can absolutely be used as external portable drives. SSDs come in compact and lightweight sizes, with some as small as a credit card, making them highly portable. Compared to traditional HDDs, SSDs are much more shock and vibration resistant due to having no moving parts, making them better suited for travel. SSDs connect via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces just like portable HDDs do.
The major advantages of SSDs for portable use are their blazing fast speeds and small size. SSDs can achieve up to 550+ MB/s sequential read/write speeds, while portable HDDs max out around 140 MB/s. This makes transferring files to and from the drive much faster. The small size also makes them easy to slip into a pocket or bag.
In terms of capacity, portable SSDs currently top out around 4 TB. This is less than portable HDDs which can reach 10-16 TB, but 4 TB SSDs can still hold a massive number of documents, photos, videos and other files. The main downside currently is the price per GB, as SSDs have a higher cost than HDDs. So you tend to pay more for less storage capacity. However, for ultimate portability where small size, speed and ruggedness are priorities, SSDs make an excellent choice.
Overall, with their fast transfer speeds, compact size, durability, and ample capacity, external SSD drives can serve as highly effective portable drives.
Performance Factors
SSDs tend to be much faster than HDDs, especially when connected externally as portable drives. For example, Crucial reports SSDs can have sequential read speeds over 500MB/s, while HDDs max out around 200MB/s. This makes a noticeable difference when transferring large files or booting applications from an external drive.
SSDs also have faster random access speeds, with average read/write speeds measured in microseconds rather than milliseconds. The result is much snappier performance when accessing small files in random order. For gamers or video editors using a portable drive, an SSD provides a clear speed advantage.
In terms of lifespan and durability, SSDs better withstand shocks and movement. Being flash-based with no moving parts, they aren’t compromised by vibration or drops. HDDs rely on fragile spinning disks and heads that can become damaged or misaligned during travel. The solid-state nature of an SSD is ideal for portable use.
One downside of SSDs is that their performance tends to degrade over time. As cells wear out, read/write speeds slowly diminish. However, modern SSDs typically maintain good speeds for 3-5 years under heavy use. HDD speeds remain more consistent, but may decline slightly due to increased fragmentation and mechanical wear.
OS and Hardware Compatibility
External SSDs are designed for cross-platform compatibility and can be used seamlessly with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and more. The exFAT file system is supported broadly across operating systems, allowing an external SSD to be read and written from any OS without needing to reformat.
In terms of hardware connectivity, external SSDs come with either a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. USB-C is the most common and universal option, connecting to both USB-C and USB-A ports via an adaptor. Thunderbolt ports are found on newer Macs and some Windows laptops. Both offer excellent performance, but Thunderbolt is faster. The cable used also impacts speed, with Thunderbolt 4/USB4 cables being optimal.
Most external SSDs today require no external power source and are powered directly via the USB or Thunderbolt cable when connected to a computer. This means they can be plugged in and used on the go without any additional accessories.
In short, external SSDs are designed for wide compatibility across devices and platforms. The hardware requirements are minimal so they can be easily used as portable storage that can be accessed from nearly any computer.
Security Features
External SSDs offer various encryption options to protect sensitive data. Many SSD manufacturers integrate 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which is considered very secure (Kanguru). This level of encryption requires a password or pin to access the drive’s contents. Some drives offer additional protection like fingerprint readers or facial recognition for unlocking the drive (PCMag).
Hardware-based encryption provides more security than software encryption, as the encryption keys are stored in a dedicated chip on the drive itself. This helps prevent brute force attacks. Some SSDs have self-destruct mechanisms that will permanently destroy the encryption keys if someone repeatedly enters the wrong password (ZDNet). This renders the data irretrievable.
Overall, external SSDs with hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption provide robust protection for sensitive files against unauthorized access. Features like unlocking via fingerprint or self-destruct help safeguard data even in extreme situations where drives fall into the wrong hands.
Top External SSD Options
When shopping for a portable external SSD, there are many great options to consider across a range of prices and features.
The Samsung T7 is a top pick with its sleek and compact design, password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption, speeds up to 1,050 MB/s, and affordable price point starting around $80 for 500GB. Models go up to 2TB.
The Sandisk Extreme Pro is designed for durability with an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance. It delivers high speeds up to 2,000 MB/s and is available in capacities from 500GB to 4TB. Prices range from around $140 to $700.
For super fast performance, the Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD can reach up to 2,000 MB/s and is optimized for gaming with RGB lighting effects. The 1TB model retails for around $250.
Western Digital’s My Passport SSD is a good budget option at around $95 for 512GB, with sleek styling, password protection and hardware encryption, and speeds up to 1,050 MB/s.
The Crucial X8 is designed to be rugged and durable, with an anodized aluminum core, drop proof up to 7.5 feet, and shock/vibration proof. It delivers speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and costs around $105 for 1TB.
For creative professionals needing high capacity, the Seagate Barracuda Fast SSD starts around $300 for 1TB and offers capacities up to 4TB along with transfer speeds up to 540 MB/s.
Use Cases
An external SSD is ideal in situations where you need fast data transfers or a highly portable storage solution. SSDs have much faster read/write speeds compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), with transfer rates up to 10x faster depending on the interface and drive. This makes an external SSD perfect for:
- Moving large files like high resolution photos, videos, or project files between devices quickly
- Editing and working with high resolution media files directly from the drive
- Running applications or games from the SSD rather than your main internal drive
- Frequently accessing the same files across different devices
Because SSDs have no moving parts and resist shock/vibration, they are better suited for travel than HDDs. The small size and light weight of many portable SSDs adds to their appeal as mobile storage you can take anywhere.
HDDs tend to be cheaper per GB of storage compared to SSDs. For simply storing and backing up large volumes of files that don’t need very fast access, an external HDD is usually sufficient. But when performance matters, an external SSD is the way to go.
According to Crucial, “All Crucial external SSDs work seamlessly with popular photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop Express and video editing software like LumaFusion.”
Conclusion
In summary, an SSD can absolutely be used as a portable drive with several key benefits compared to a traditional HDD. SSDs are much faster, more durable due to lack of moving parts, smaller and lighter, and increasingly cost effective. Top external SSD options feature solid performance, compatibility, and additional security protections.
For data transfers, backups, traveling professionals, gamers, creative professionals and more, a portable SSD offers huge advantages over an external HDD. With no moving parts, greater resistance to shock, vibration and drops, and blazing fast speeds, an external SSD can be a superior choice for a portable drive solution. As costs continue to come down, SSDs become accessible to wider audiences seeking secure and speedy portable storage.