A portable SSD is a compact, external solid-state drive used for high-speed data storage and transfer. External storage drives (external hard drives or external SSDs) were engineered so that users could store data on a device outside their computer. A subset of external drives are portable hard drives and portable SSDs, which are designed to be disconnected from your computer and taken with you wherever you need your data. The difference between portable hard drives and portable SSDs is that SSDs are a newer technology with durability, speed and energy advantages over hard drives.
A portable SSD is a compact, external solid-state drive used for high-speed data storage and transfer. Portable SSDs are often used as secondary storage devices so that you can easily:
Many SSDs come pre-installed with additional security features such as encryption tools and automatic backup schedulers to help with these tasks.
Crucial offers a full suite of external SSD options for quick, convenient plug-and-play storage:
An external SSD is a portable storage device that connects to a computer or other digital device via interfaces like USB or Thunderbolt. External SSDs are commonly used for backing up important files, transferring large amounts of data quickly, and expanding the storage capacity of devices without the need to open them up.
Portable SSDs are a specific type of external SSD designed for mobility and convenience. They offer the same high-speed data transfer and durability but are typically more compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. This portability makes them ideal for users who need to access or transfer large files on the go, such as photographers, videographers, and business professionals. Additionally, portable SSDs often come with rugged features like shock resistance and water resistance, enhancing their reliability in various environments. Overall, portable SSDs combine the benefits of external SSDs with enhanced convenience and durability for users who need reliable storage solutions wherever they are.
We mentioned that SSD and HDD technology is different. But what are the differences, and how are SSDs better?
An HDD stores data on a spinning platter accessed by a mechanical arm, whereas an SSD uses a grid of electrical cells to store data like a giant flash drive.
For both internal and external hard drives, SSDs are faster, more durable, and can take up less space for the same amount of data storage.
And while portable HDDs require their own cumbersome power supply, an external SSD can happily run straight from a USB port.
Portable SSDs are also compatible with a wide range of devices, meaning you can use them with PCs, Macs, phones, games consoles and more!
If you want to quickly transfer large amounts of data or run data-intensive programs without clogging up your computer, then a portable SSD is for you:
With durable engineering and 7.5-foot drop ratings6, Crucial external SSDs are dependable enough to keep your apps, programs and files safe – no matter where you need to access them.
All Crucial portable SSDs work with the following2:
They are also USB-C ready straight out of the box, or you can add a USB-A adaptor for use with older ports.
All Crucial portable SSDs are backed by a 3-year worldwide limited warranty, which gives you trusted dependability and durability in a drive that could easily last longer than the devices you will pair it with.
To keep your portable SSD running strong:
1. MB/s speed measured as maximum sequential performance of device as measured by Crucial on a high performance desktop computer with Crystal Disk Mark (version 6.0.2 for x64). Your performance may vary. Comparative speed claims measured as maximum sequential performance of similarly situated portable SSD’s, mainstream portable HDD’s and mainstream USB flash drives from vertically-integrated manufacturers selling under their own brands as at June 2019.
2. Compatibility may vary and may be contingent on device formatting and host capabilities. For more information, see https://crucial.com/support/x8.
3. Latest firmware may be required for operation. For more information, see https://crucial.com/support/x8.
4. Compatible Android devices must be able to work with USB Mass Storage over OTG. Operating system updates and reformatting may be required. For more information, see https://crucial.com/support/x8.
5. iPadOS 13 required for the Crucial X8 to work with iPad Pro devices with USB-C port. For more information, see https://crucial.com/support/x8.
6. Up to 7.5 ft/2 m without impact to data on drive on a carpeted floor.
7. Based on average photo size of 6MB, video at 4K/60fps in H246 format at 24GB/hr, and average music file at 4MB each.