SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2: bigger and faster

Conclusion

We have already tested external SSDs from SanDisk several times. However, it has always been a model of Extreme Portable SSD, namely from 2018 and 2020. However, the manufacturer also offers another model, which it refers to as Extreme Pro Portable SSD. We have tested its second generation from 2020 in detail and we will be interested in whether it’s worth paying extra for the “Pro” label or whether you can do with the base model.

Conclusion

SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD in its second version offers, similar to the base (non-Pro) model, twice the speed of the first generation. In this case, this means up to 2 GB/s for read and write. In practice, however, it is relatively difficult to achieve these speeds, as you need a USB 3.2 gen 2×2 with a bandwidth of 20 Gb/s, which you will find on a limited number of motherboards and devices. The good news is that this connection is getting into the mainstream, for example on the motherboard MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi. The situation can also be expected to improve slightly with the arrival of USB4.

I have no reservations about the build quality, design or functions, it is almost the same SSD as the base version. However, the Pro model is slightly larger, heavier and has a metal line around its body, which can protect the drive even from stronger bumps. 5-year warranty, hardware encryption with intuitive applications are the same as with the cheaper model. And it is the SSD from its own series that will be the biggest competitor for the Pro model, the use of which is questionable due to the unique USB standard. For the vast majority of customers, the base model will likely be sufficient. The Pro model should reach those who have 20 Gb/s USB on the motherboard or other device, and Thunderbolt 3 SSDs are too expensive for them.

• Contents
• Overview
• Write
• Read
• Overall score and performance on macOS
• Conclusion