SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD

Muy bueno

A Powerhouse in Your Pocket. As a professional video editor, efficiency and reliability are non-negotiables in my workflow. The SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD has been nothing short of a game-changer for me. From its lightning-fast speed to its rugged durability, this SSD has exceeded my expectations on every front.Let’s talk speed. With transfer speeds of up to 2000MB/s, editing directly off this drive feels like a seamless extension of my MacBook Pro’s capabilities. Whether I’m working on high-resolution footage or handling multiple layers in Premiere Pro, the SanDisk SSD keeps up without skipping a beat.The form factor of this SSD is another standout feature. Compact, sleek, and built to last, it’s the epitome of portability without sacrificing performance. I can slip it into my bag and take it with me wherever inspiration strikes, knowing that my projects are securely stored and easily accessible.But what truly sets this SSD apart is its ruggedness. With IP65 water and dust resistance, I can confidently edit outdoors or in less-than-ideal conditions without worrying about damage to my files. It’s a level of peace of mind that’s invaluable for someone who relies on their equipment day in and day out.One aspect that I particularly appreciate is the updated firmware, which ensures compatibility and stability with my M1 Pro MacBook Pro. It’s clear that SanDisk is committed to delivering a product that not only meets but exceeds the demands of modern creatives.In conclusion, the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD is more than just a storage device; it’s a powerful ally for any video editor looking to elevate their craft. With its blazing speed, compact design, and rugged durability, it’s become an indispensable tool in my arsenal. Whether you’re a professional or a passionate hobbyist, this SSD is a worthy investment that will undoubtedly streamline your workflow and unlock new levels of creativity.

Excelente producto, su tamaño, velocidad, capacidad! Vale mucho la pena!

Produto com velocidades de troca muito rápidas. Excelente acabamento emborrachado. Tamanho do produto também é diferenciado.

I’ve run this hard drive through the wringer with loads of speed tests, file transfers (small and large files). Read on for some in-depth rabbit-hole findings and some comparisons with other drives.

TLDR
Overall a solid drive. But if you have a need for speed, go for a Thunderbolt 3 SSD instead. It will NOT hit the max 2000 MB/s speed. It will max out around the same top speed as the other USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives (1000 MB/s)! Go for the regular extreme pro at a cheaper price, or instead, build your own. However, stay away from the Samsung T7. But I’ll save that review for another day.

SIDE NOTE
As a video editor, I demand high sustained performance out of my drives. I’m giving this item 3 stars because, despite being more than fast enough, I think I got a faulty unit. It struggles with sustained loads and sometimes renders Final Cut Pro frozen after prolonged periods of editing. I’ve never had this happen on any SSDs before, much less SanDisk ones. I made sure it wasn’t my computer or software wigging out. Hence, faulty drive! Not a big deal, a simple Amazon return or SanDisk RMA would fix it.

REVIEW
Build quality – EXCELLENT. The combination of the plastic/rubber outside with an aluminum frame not only gives this drive better durability, but also great feel in the hand. Feels significantly more substantial than the regular, non-Pro (portable) version, and provides peace of mind over something like the Samsung T5/T7.

Heat – the drive does run warm, but when compared to its counterparts (and even internal nvme SSDs in an enclosure), it’s the coolest. It does, however, stay warm even when idle.

Speed – I was able to clock an average of 900 MB/s on both read and write, which is higher than both the Extreme Portable and Samsung T7 that averaged about 700-750. I was able to transfer an 85GB project folder to it in 1min 53sec and back in 2min 21 sec. Really good! But about the same as the cheaper drives.

However, it will NOT hit the advertised 2000 MB/s on 99.9% of computers.

Read on to learn about why that is. Otherwise, skip to the conclusion.

1. WHY THIS DRIVE IS NOT HITTING MAX SPEED
FIRST, let’s clear up Bits and Bytes
You may know that 1 byte = 8 bits.
Hence, 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 8 Gigabits (Gb).
And of course, 1 Gigabyte (GB) is also 1000 Megabytes (MB)

Note the difference in capitalization (GB vs Gb).

When converted, 2000MB/s (or 2 Gigabytes per second) is equal to about 16 GigaBITS/s. And its competitors are hitting about 1000MB/s, which is 8Gb/s.

So, theoretically, you’d need a port that supports 20Gb/s to run that 16Gb/s speed. Which brings us to USB and Thunderbolt.

2. SPEED DESIGNATIONS
I’m going to separate these by bandwidth or max speed because there are multiple renames of the same thing.
5Gb/s or “Gen 1” – USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1
10Gb/s or “Gen 2” – USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2
20Gb/s “or Gen 2×2” – USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, or any other 2×2 USB spec (they exist)
40 Gb/s – USB 4.0
40 Gb/s – Thunderbolt 3 and 4 (or “TB3 and TB4”)

I’ll be referring to the simplified nicknames like “Gen 1” since I am SO not typing out “USB 3.1 Gen 1” for the rest of this review.

Also, we are not discussing the physical port types in this review (Type-C, Type-A). The only thing you need to know is that USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 REQUIRES a USB-C port. So if you have the “fat USB” or Type A ports, it will never exceed 10Gbps.

3. HOW TO ACHIEVE MAX SPEED
NOTE, for you to achieve ANY device’s max speed, all “links” in the chain must share the same standard. For example, a 10Gb/s port will only hit 5Gb/s on an SSD capped at USB 3.0. The device, the cable, AND the computer must all support the same exact specification. I call this the “Strong Link Policy.”

“What is Gen 2×2?”
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 is a “DUAL-LANE” or “TUNNELED” USB process. Meaning it requires 2 lanes of data going at 10Gb/s both ways, upstream and downstream, to reach the max 20Gb/s.

Think about it like a 4 lane highway (2 lanes x 2 directions = 4 lanes TOTAL), with each lane blocked off by walls, so there are no on or off ramps, only entrances and exits at the beginning or end.

“What about Thunderbolt?”
Thunderbolt requires an Intel controller to reach max speed at every level. Same as USB, the Strong Link Policy to work. Otherwise, Intel has required computers to have backwards compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (max 10Gb/s) devices, so there’s a “slow lane” in case there is no TB controller.

Since this hard drive is a USB drive and NOT Thunderbolt, it will NOT reach its max speed with a TB port. It still works on TB ports because of backwards compatibility, capping out at 1000MB/s. This lines up with my testing which was about 900MB/s transfer.

And because TB is ALSO a dual lane process, it CANNOT physically be split to support Gen 2×2. It has to run “All or Nothing” and do 20Gb/s both lanes, both ways. Again, highway with walls! Except this time there’s a gatekeeper that asks for ID. No ID? You go in the slow lane.

“What about USB 4?”
It doesn’t require a Thunderbolt controller. Right! But it also is a dual-lane process. Meaning it also needs 2 lanes of 20Gbps both ways to support its max 40Gbps. Main difference between USB 4 and TB is that it is not required to provide a higher power spec, displays, or PCIe support, it’s required only to support data, hence the “gatekeeper” is not as strict. However, the USB-IF (the peeps who make this stuff up), since they love confusion, allow alternative configurations (min. spec is 20Gb/s).

Why not just use one lane of 20Gb/s? Well it can’t. Because of the Strong Link Policy. While USB 4 allows 20Gb/s over one lane, every single link in the chain has to support USB 4. Hence, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 is not allowed since it uses PCIe tunneling (2x 10Gbps each way) while USB 4 (1x 20Gbps each way) does not.

“But that doesn’t make any sense? Isn’t USB 4 supposed to support all previous USBs?”
You are totally right. It IS supposed to. That makes sense. But that’s not how the USB-IF defined it. They like to confuse people, you see? Who put them in charge?? Definitely not mathematicians…or anyone with logic…

USB 4 “can” support Gen 2×2. But it is not “required” to. It is “optional” for device manufacturers to integrate.

If your port supports Thunderbolt 3/4, it is not capable of supporting ANY USB spec that requires 2×2 lanes. Intel won’t allow it. It’s all or nothing. You can give up TB in exchange for 2×2, but you end up with a less useful, more expensive port with less marketing power.

This is why M1 Mac ports are called “Thunderbolt / USB 4” ports (rather misleading). It will support FULL Thunderbolt 3 speed on its own, and full USB 4 speeds on its own, but not USB 3 Gen 2×2, because it has a TB3 controller, the gatekeeper that only allows max USB speeds at 10Gb/s.

4. CONCLUSION
It’s a well-built, fast drive. But your host computer must support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 or (dual-lane) USB 4.0 to run at that 2000MB/s speed. Unless you have a specific Gen 2×2 USB port – which you can find boards for custom-built PCs – it’s not on most (if any) mainstream computers – then this drive will not hit its advertised speed. It’s a marketing tactic. Companies know this, and most of them go out of their way to hide the USB spec on their computer’s Thunderbolt ports because of this. SanDisk is getting away with it because they added “Requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speed” in their product description.

Instead, I’d recommend getting a full-fledged Thunderbolt 4/3 SSD for insane speeds, since TB is a less stupid standard, just keep in mind that TB-only SSDs won’t work on regular USB ports.

For most practical purposes, USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gb/s is fast enough. I can edit 4-5 streams of 4K 10bit h.264 off of it just fine without proxies or ProRes. But higher-bitrate video, like RAW, 6K, 8K and beyond, I would recommend a faster TB drive. Otherwise, save some money and go with the other SSDs, like the Extreme Portable, or build your own.

Getting this drive makes sense if you are building (or have) a PC that supports it, and you’re willing to give up Thunderbolt, or you’d rather hold out just in case your future computer has a multi-lane USB 4.0 port. In that case go for it!

UPDATE: I’ve since gotten a M1 Max MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, this review & conclusion still stands. The new “Thunderbolt 4” ports work the same as the previous models. Even with the top of line chipsets, Intel & USB-IF’s stupidity renders this drive to cap out at 10Gb/s. Only a fully Thunderbolt or fully USB 4 workflow in every link in the chain is required to hit 40Gb/s and the speeds in between.

UPDATE: Apple has also since released the M2 series of MacBooks, which change nothing with its ports compared to M1 (non-Pro), so still Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4. Lame.

UPDATE: USB-IF announced they are rolling out USB 4 Version 2. It’s said to support higher power delivery, up to 80Gbps+, be compatible with optional Thunderbolt features (displays, docks, etc.), be backwards compatible with USB 3.2 and below, and have a less-stupid naming scheme. Whether or not backwards compatibility supports Gen 2×2 remains unknown. BUT, Thunderbolt is rumored to be supported, but as an optional integration, up to the device manufacturer (ew). Just figure out your naming scheme, PLEASE.

EDIT: Fixed Typos, added M1 Pro/Max/Studio Update

EDIT 11/2022: Added M2 MacBooks update, updated USB specs, cleared up some things, and removed my recommendation to the Samsung T7. I’ve since edited on it and found it unreliable for sustained load.

As of right now, there are STILL no computers that sacrifice Thunderbolt for USB 3.2 2×2. Big surprise…

When it comes to portable SSDs, speed is of the essence, and the SanDisk Extreme Pro doesn’t disappoint. With write speeds of up to a staggering 2000 MB/s, this compact powerhouse is a game-changer for anyone who needs lightning-fast storage on the go.

Design and Build (★★★★☆)

The SanDisk Extreme Pro boasts a sleek and durable design that’s built to withstand the rigors of travel. Its compact form factor is perfect for slipping into your pocket or bag, and it feels reassuringly robust. The rugged aluminum exterior not only adds to its durability but also dissipates heat efficiently, ensuring optimal performance during prolonged use.

Performance (★★★★★)

The standout feature of the SanDisk Extreme Pro is, without a doubt, its mind-boggling write speeds of up to 2000 MB/s. Whether you’re transferring large files, editing 4K video on the fly, or running resource-intensive applications, this SSD handles it all with ease. It’s a game-changer for creative professionals who demand top-tier performance from their storage devices.

I found the read speeds to be equally impressive, making data access almost instantaneous. It significantly reduces the time spent waiting for files to load, which can be a game-changer in professional workflows.

Compatibility (★★★★☆)

This SSD supports both USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3, ensuring broad compatibility across a wide range of devices. Whether you’re using a Mac or a PC, you can connect the SanDisk Extreme Pro without any hassle. It’s also backward compatible with older USB ports, although you won’t achieve the same blazing speeds in those cases.

Software and Security (★★★★★)

SanDisk includes their SecureAccess software, which offers password protection and 128-bit AES encryption to keep your data safe. This extra layer of security is crucial for professionals who handle sensitive information regularly. Additionally, the included software suite allows for easy backup and synchronization, making data management a breeze.

Price (★★★★☆)

While the SanDisk Extreme Pro is undoubtedly a premium product, its price is justified by its exceptional performance and build quality. If you demand the best, you won’t be disappointed by the value it provides.

Conclusion (★★★★★)

In summary, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is an absolute beast in the world of portable storage. Its astonishing write speeds, rugged build, and top-notch security features make it a must-have for professionals on the go. Whether you’re a content creator, photographer, or anyone who requires speedy and reliable storage, this SSD is a game-changer. The only downside is its relatively high price, but for those who demand the best, it’s worth every penny. Say goodbye to slow transfers and data bottlenecks – the SanDisk Extreme Pro has arrived to turbocharge your workflow.

An absolute must if you require true sustained large capacity speeds. TL;DR: This drive personally verified capable of large, sustained reads for hours if needed and had no problem transferring 500GB+ of data (both read and write) without slowing down at all. If you’re tired of external SSDs that slow down due to cache outs and/or overheating, this drive will take care of those issues.——-I’ve gone through several Samsung and Crucial external SSDs and one common thing is they all “cache out” sooner than later or even overheat and transfer speeds quickly plummet (sub 50-75MB/sec in some instances) when you’re doing large (>100GB) transfers or if you’re using the drive as an attached active media for real time use like using a replicated database or photo editing. If the job ends up R/W > 75-100GB+ I will always see drive slow downs consistently on those Samsung and Crucial models. They are good for small, quick transfers especially sub 25GB but anything remotely large and sustained and the slowdown happens.After doing a lot of research and reading along with personal recommendation from some fellow developers and editors, I gave the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO (you know it’s serious when “PRO” is all in caps) a try.It is very compact and nicely built. Excellent external texture with even a corner clip hole. It comes with both USB-A and USB-C USB 3.2 2×2 cables and is ready for data transfers up to 2000MB/s.So how did it fair? I plugged it into my 1000MB/s rated USB-C port to backup over 500GB of data in one sitting and sat there and watched it transfer the entire set of data with zero slowdowns sometimes peaking OVER 1000MB/sec on large contiguous data asset transfers. This is a first among the pile of external drives I’ve used over the last 10 years.When it came time to copy the information back, the sustained speeds were still there during the entire transfer.I used it even to run some games for testing and it had no problems for Steam or Blizzard games albeit for normal use I use internal storage. I also did a couple of dev projects externally and it worked absolutely fantastic.As with most external drives, it does get warm during heavy use but nothing that is worrisome. I was able to pick up and hold the drive no problem.I tested it on both Windows 10 and 11 and Windows 11 is slightly slower than Windows 10 in data transfers under the same conditions but still peaked over 900MB/sec. It isn’t the Sandisk’s fault but the OS.Overall, I can’t recommend this drive highly enough. It fixed all the issues I had grown used to accepting with my previous Samsung and Crucial models with expected slowdowns (it wasn’t an issue of “if” but “when”) and 2TB is spacious enough for now. If I end up needing more capacity I will pick up the 4TB version if needed but as for the 2TB model specifically? Highly recommended.5/5