Samsung innovates its SSD offerings with the speedy and portable X5
Posted on Aug 29, 2018 by Julian Mitchell
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has unveiled a new portable SSD, the X5, its first NVMe-based SSD. Using Thunderbolt technology, the new X5 is claimed to offer exceptional speeds in a compact and durable form factor, ideal for DOPs and those working with 4K footage or real-time 3D rendering. “As a leader in high-performance and reliable storage solutions, we are thrilled to continue to advance the external SSD market with the introduction of our first Thunderbolt 3 portable SSD,” said Dr Mike Mang, vice president of Brand Product Marketing, Memory Business at Samsung Electronics. “The X5 is yet another testament to Samsung’s commitment to providing innovative portable storage solutions that enable faster transfer of large data files, saving users’ valuable time.” Thanks to Thunderbolt 3’s 40Gbps bandwidth – up to 4x faster than USB 3.1 – Samsung claims the X5 offers a read speed of up to 2,800 MB/s, which is up to 5.2x faster than the widely used SATA interface portable SSDs and up to 25.5x faster than external HDDs. The drive also boasts the fastest maximum write speed of 2,300 MB/s, enabling users to transfer a 20GB-sized 4K UHD video in just 12 seconds, according to the company. With its full-metal body, a glossy finish and non-slip bottom mat, the X5’s shock-resistant internal frame and rugged metal housing can withstand accidental drops of up to two meters. In addition, the Dynamic Thermal Guard technology and a heat sink safeguard the X5 from overheating, ensuring reliability while maintaining optimal operating temperatures. The X5 also offers powerful data protection with Samsung Portable SSD Software, based on the AES 256-bit hardware data encryption, including optional password protection and easy configuration of security settings. The X5 comes with a three-year limited warranty and will be available from 3 September, with suggested retail prices of £359.99 for the 500GB model, £629.99 for the 1TB model and £1,249.99 for the 2TB model. samsung.com/portable-ssd or samsungssd.com .
