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REAL WORLD FILE TRANSFER COMPARISON
We have put the SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 Portable SSD beside a few of other portable SSDs of different levels for our true to life data testing. In this test, we simply place 15GB files representing music, video, pictures and operating systems onto the target drive. We then copy each file from one place on the target disk to another, recording the time taken for the transfer.
As would only be expected, ThunderBolt 3 tops the chart followed by USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gb/s), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), USB 3.1 Type-C, and then USB 3.1 Type-A. We might like to offer a few comparables to the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD but there just aren’t any…
REVIEW ANALYSIS AND FINAL THOUGHTS
There is, without a doubt, a need for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable fits that bill perfectly. We would like to use our own experience to demonstrate why. When the SanDisk Extreme Pro was shipped, we believed that we could conduct a proper review as we are pretty much the industry leader on Thunderbolt 3 reviews. We learned real quick that, although Tbt3 is fully compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), it was not at all compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gb/s). Quite frankly, that makes no sense whatsoever.
As much as an adapter could be easily obtained to accommodate this, it also identifies an industry void that this new interface may just fill very well. Nobody will say it but Thunderbolt 3 is just not meeting with the popularity that all expected. Although you will find laptops with Tbt 3, finding a motherboard manufacturer right now that is still manufacturing Tbt3 enhanced boards is next to impossible. Is Thunderbolt 3 on its way out? Now that is a discussion but it sure makes room for exactly what we are reviewing today, the SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps SSD.
With performance at 2GB/s read and write, a very compact well built and attractive exterior, and a 5-year manufacturers warranty, the Extreme Pro is a very attractive option. For the media professional that doesn’t have Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gb/s is a very cheap alternative when considering that your only need is that $50 adapter. As for comparables and price, there are none and right now we are seeing this portable SSD on sale and priced at $299 which is a great price.
Check SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 pricing at Amazon
Fairly soon you will be reviewing the SanDisk Extreme Pro ‘Super Speedy’ Portable SSD when it comes out with USB4, capable of 40Gb/s. Thankfully we won’t see .1, .2 etc. as they are doing away with the version numbers.
Also USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 will start to become compatible with each other. A quote:
“Compatible With Thunderbolt 3 Optionally
Intel made news when it said it had given the Thunderbolt 3 protocol to USB Promoter Group, allowing devices with USB4 ports to potentially be compatible with Thunderbolt 3 devices and USB4 devices to attach to Thunderbolt 3. That’s good news for everyone, especially laptop users who want to play games by connecting an eGPU (external graphics card).”
Hopefully connectivity will become much more standardized, but I doubt it.
SanDisk sure has been busy bringing us new and excellent products. thanks for the review Les.