What is a portable SSD?
One of the most important components of a computer is its storage device. In the past, these were usually rotating magnetic disks, but most are now solid state drives. The invention of SSDs also created the opportunity for an exciting new type of device: the portable SSD.
Most mechanical drives require too much power to be usable with the USB port, although you can power them externally. USB thumb drives are tiny and very portable, but don’t offer a lot of storage room. However, modern portable SSDs are hardly bigger than a thumb drive, offer mass storage space and are much faster than other options.
Solid state drives have no moving parts whatsoever. Instead of a rotating disk and reading arm, they use flash memory that can retain its state even without being powered. Each flash memory cell has an ultra-tiny transistor that electronically changes its state. Each cell is like a switch that can be a zero or one. There are many types of flash memory, but for data storage such as used for computers, NAND is typically preferred.
What are the advantages of an SSD?
The pure electrical nature of flash gives it lightning-fast read/write speeds. The access time of an SSD can be as low as 35 microseconds – a speed almost 100 times faster than HDDs. Nowadays, only a few computers come with HDDs.
Take it anywhere.
A portable solid state drive is one that you can take anywhere and use as needed. It’s a fantastic way to add large quantities of storage without installing a drive in your computer. Newer portable solid state drives use a fast bus – much faster than thumb drives – that, combined with USB 3.1 Gen2, can reach ultra-fast transfer speeds of 540MB/s.
How does a portable SSD work?
Just like your internal drives, a portable solid state drive uses flash memory to store information. Some can be used with a wide range of devices and most will use the USB bus for convenience. The best ones are so fast, they even outperform internal HDDs. Plus, they’re amazingly simple to use. In most cases, all you have to do is plug them in and they’ll format to the device you’re using. Portable SSDs are not only perfect for expanding storage; they’re also great for transporting large amounts of data around in a small package.
What about security?
The last thing you need is someone snooping around your storage devices. Even worse, gaining access to one could allow hackers to implant malware onto your system. Keep your storage devices locked with ATA lock and management software that should come with any portable storage device you choose.
What is the best portable SSD?
When rated on a combination of reliability, speed and price, none will outperform the VAVA Portable SSD. The aluminum case is extremely durable and attractive, while the size is impressive – less than 4 inches long with a slim profile. If offers full 540MB/s speed and works with a number of devices, including:
- PC
- Android devices
- iPhone X / XS / XS Max
- iPad Pro
- MacBook Pro
- Xbox
Its case can survive drops from four feet and the cable plug test exceeds 5,000 times. It supports NTFS / Fat32 / exFAT; SATA III DATA transmission and comes with a three-year limited warranty.
How can you get the most out of portable SSDs?
SSDs don’t work like HDDs in the way they store data. Hard drives require regular defragging, whereas you should never defrag flash drives. You do need to have TRIM turned on, which is usually automatic with PCs, phones and tablets. However, other devices might require you to manually select it.
One key way to keep all SSDs running fast is to leave some open space. When flash memory fills, it must use partial blocks to save data. This means the controller must read the other info in the block, erase it, then rewrite the entire block. SSDs should always have a minimum of 10% open and ideally at least 25%.
Portable SSDs are one of the hottest PC accessories on the market today. They fit every niche and the price has dropped too much to resist.
VAVA sells tech gear that can upgrade your office, home, man cave or vehicle with easy steps. What devices will you use to bring the future of tech into your space today? Explore our line of products starting with our camera products to computer accessories.
