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addlink P50 Moveable SSD: 30-second evaluation
USB key-style moveable SSDs are extremely helpful, providing a compact, easy-to-use, and light-weight choice for transferring and transporting giant information. The Addlink P50 Moveable SSD is a particularly neat moveable SSD with an aluminium casing and twin connectors at both finish. On the coronary heart of the SSD is a 1TB drive that may be accessed by plugging the drive into nearly any system that’s capable of recognise an exterior drive.
Total compatibility is superb, and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface is among the most recognised available on the market. So long as your system is USB 3.2 Gen 2 or newer, you then’re going to see these switch speeds. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re utilizing an older interface, then that USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface is absolutely backward suitable, so whereas the switch speeds might be slower, the drive itself will work completely fantastic.
Total, the design, capability and velocity are all as marketed and whereas the design of the drive is purposeful, and I appreciated the graphic and aesthetic model, it doesn’t provide the high-end end that I’ve seen with different drives of this kind, such because the PNY DUO Hyperlink V3. The principle issue right here in regards to the design is that whereas these connector caps are stable and effectively designed, they are often utterly eliminated, and in the long term, might get misplaced. The physique of the drive can be clean, with no capacity to connect a lanyard to securely tether it right into a bag.
These points are small, nonetheless, and what you’ve with the Addlink P50 is among the finest moveable SSD by way of compact model, sturdiness – it’s quick and affords distinctive compatibility.
Addlink P50 at Amazon for $66.44
Addlink P50 moveable SSD: Worth and availability
How a lot does it value? From $67 / £67
When is it out? Obtainable now
The place are you able to get it? Straight from Amazon and different on-line retailers
The Addlink P50 moveable SSD begins at $67 / £67 for the 500GB mannequin at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. It’s additionally out there with 1TB cupboard space ($105 / £105) and 2TB ($189 / £189).
(Picture credit score: Alastair Jennings)
Addlink P50 moveable SSD: Specs
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2Connectors: USB Sort-C and Sort-ARead velocity (max): 1050 MB/sWrite velocity (max): 850 MB/sCapacities: 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TBBuild: aluminium alloy shell, shock/vibration-resistantSize: 7.6 × 2.1 cmWeight: 12 gFile system: exFAT
Addlink P50 moveable SSD: Design
The design and construct of the P50 is a combined, with the end and graphics giving it a distinctly premium appear and feel, whereas as you get a little bit extra into the usage of the drive, you’ll be able to see the place the designers have balanced the shape issue.
The P50 bears a placing resemblance to most USB flash drives, with a protracted, skinny design with a brand on the floor, a solid-feeling aluminium physique with two connectors, one at every finish, quite than the extra regular one. It’s a neat thought and one that’s generally adopted for this model of moveable SSD.
Relating to the scale and dimensions, it’s small and light-weight, coming in at 3.0 x 0.83 x 0.4 in / 7.6 x 2.1 x 1.0 cm and weighing simply 0.42oz / 12g. Which means that even when slipped right into a pocket, you’re unlikely to really feel the impression of its presence.
When the drive arrives, it comes with two protecting caps fitted, one over every of the 2 connectors at every finish, and all seems to be very glossy. The caps are easy push-fit quite than providing any advanced all-in-one design, as I’ve seen with different comparable USB moveable SSDs of this kind. This can be a design selection, and whereas I just like the all-in-one designs, with regards to design with detachable caps, I’ve previously seen producers tether the cap to the physique, in order that they don’t get misplaced. Whereas this looks as if an awesome thought in observe, it’s often simply annoying. So whereas it may not appear excellent to have the caps free when eliminated, so long as you’re diligent about changing them, it shouldn’t be a problem. Additionally, over the all-in-one designs, these caps will provide much better safety to these connectors, and whereas not waterproof or dustproof rated, as soon as these caps are in place, they’re good and safe and can provide an additional degree of safety.
(Picture credit score: Alastair Jennings)
One small characteristic I’m a little bit shocked has been omitted from the design is the dearth of a lanyard loop. On a tool of this small dimension, simply having one thing that allows you to tether the system to the within of a bag or pocket simply helps to keep away from it getting misplaced, or, in essentially the most simplistic operate of use, makes it straightforward to find in a bag if you need it.
The ultimate level in regards to the construct is the width, which, like all USB drives of this kind, signifies that when plugged right into a laptop computer, it tends to dam two USB-C ports quite than simply the one one which it’s utilizing. This isn’t a lot of a problem if you happen to’re utilizing the USB-A port, however simply one thing to be conscious of for smaller laptops.
Addlink P50 moveable SSD: Options
(Picture credit score: Alastair Jennings)
The Addlink P50 focuses on absolute compatibility throughout the board, foremost of which is its design with the twin USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface that allows direct connection to USB-A and USB-C outfitted gadgets. That USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface additionally signifies that it affords broad backward in addition to future compatibility, primarily being usable on nearly any system that allows the connection of an exterior drive.
Being USB 3.2 Gen 2 permits spectacular switch charges with learn speeds maxing out at 1050 MB/s and 850 MB/s write speeds. What offers this drive the sting is that whereas these speeds might be restricted by older interfaces, if used with the newest USB4 or Thunderbolt 5 interfaces, these switch charges will keep constant.
That interface primarily signifies that this drive has the perfect compatibility attainable throughout port varieties and interfaces, making it a super choice for transferring giant information comparable to 4K video and even getting used as a compact backup answer.
The design of the drive is small and compact, serving to to make it extremely transportable, and with the aluminium physique, it’s shock resistant and, by means of the take a look at, survived completely effectively in a digital camera bag pocket with batteries and some different objects with none ailing results.
Addlink P50 moveable SSD: Efficiency
I’ll begin off with the design, as I used to be in two minds about just a few features, having used dual-connector SSDs of this kind previously. The very first thing to notice is that whereas the SSD is stable and effectively completed, it hasn’t gone by means of the superior product design course of that I’ve seen with different comparable merchandise, such because the PNY Duo Hyperlink V3 that I discussed earlier. As a substitute, you’ve the primary aluminium physique of the drive, which is capped by a USB connector at every finish. You’ll be able to see from the design that these are easy push-fit inserts into the steel casing. This can be a design that admittedly works, however doesn’t have the high-end product design values of different drives of this kind. Nevertheless, it’s tough to fault the performance; it’s simply the eye to element.
On the physique of the drive, it’s all very glossy, and the model and design of the graphics are all very good, and for me, the flat surfaces back and front, regardless of being barely concaved, make it straightforward to connect a label if wanted. This small design characteristic for these SSD drives is, for me, extremely essential for identification.
The ultimate remark of the design, with regards to efficiency, is the 2 finish caps. Whereas I just like the all-in-one design of many of those drives, the connectors are at all times left partially uncovered to the weather. Whereas right here, with the detachable caps, whereas the caps themselves usually tend to get misplaced, they repair in place so securely that it’s going to solely be human error in the event that they do get misplaced. The truth that they match so tightly and absolutely defend the connectors is a particular profit. With this degree of safety and the construct high quality, it does appear a disgrace they didn’t go the complete method and likewise get this drive water and dustproof licensed. As it’s, the P50 ought to face up to a little bit greater than most.
Shifting on to the information efficiency, and that is the place the dual-end connector begins to return into its personal, with the flexibility to plug it into any system that allows an exterior storage connection. By way of the take a look at, I used the P50 with a Mac, Home windows 11 PC, and my iPhone 15 Professional and in all instances, the drive was immediately recognised and usable inside just a few seconds.
Total efficiency was good throughout the board, and when used for backing up information, the switch charges appeared to be constant. Pushing the skills of the drive considerably, I copied over a Premiere Professional venture to the drive that I had began to edit on a PC, and reopened this on the Mac model. The video manufacturing was a mixture of HD and 4K video, and the drive was capable of deal with the information with out too many points, with the complete manufacturing coming in at simply over an hour. Whereas the drive itself did get sizzling, it was really the dearth of area that halted the edit quite than the efficiency of the drive, though some thermal throttling was obvious.
Used for smaller HD tasks, between 5 and 10 minutes in size, the drive coped okay, however as there’s no energetic warmth dissipation past the aluminium casing, used as a working drive on a day-to-day foundation, most likely isn’t the perfect thought. Nevertheless, it proved the sturdiness each bodily and when dealing with information.
I then used the drive to seize 4K ProRes video footage on the iPhone 15 Professional; it took a few seconds for the drive to be recognised earlier than the ProRes choice appeared. As soon as the connection was made, the drive with its 1TB of capability made an awesome choice for capturing this higher-quality footage. My solely situation right here is that if the USB port of the telephone is taken with the connection of the drive, then if you happen to’re recording audio, you then want a set of mics, such because the DJI Mic 3s, which might be capable of seize onboard audio, which you’ll then have to edit later.
The design additionally signifies that if you happen to’re utilizing it with a handheld gimbal, then the size of the drive may additionally be a problem.
Nevertheless, as a compact storage answer that provides broad compatibility, it does provide consistency and very good compatibility throughout a number of gadgets.
addlink P50: Closing verdict
(Picture credit score: Alastair Jennings)
The all-in-one design of many moveable SSDs of this kind makes them straightforward to make use of, and they’re typically aesthetically designed. Nevertheless, right here, addlink has gone for pure simplicity throughout, offering a drive that appears skilled and may be very purposeful quite than one thing that stands out for its aesthetics. That is primarily a easy moveable SSD, and for that matter, is among the most suitable choices on the market. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface affords constant switch charges throughout a number of gadgets, which means that if it’s essential to switch information between a Mac, Home windows or Linux system, then this isn’t solely attainable however the switch charges might be constant.
The design can be stable, and whereas it doesn’t have the high-end product design aesthetics of a few of the competitors, it’s purposeful, the truth is, extra so than lots of its rivals; it simply isn’t as elegant. The detachable caps might get misplaced, however in actuality, they provide higher safety than most different designs.
Relating to efficiency, the P50’s 1TB of storage is ideal for shortly transferring information, and with these speeds topping out at 1050 MB/s, it’s good to be used as a short lived working drive, though I wouldn’t advocate it as a day-to-day choice; a bigger SSD with higher cooling is extra suited to that. Nevertheless, as a backup drive or for fast edits, this drive will certainly see you thru.
The one different main consideration is the associated fee, and whereas it is a stable drive that places in an honest efficiency for my part, it’s on the premium finish of the value vary, and for this, I’d have anticipated a little bit extra from the design and would have appreciated to have seen some type of bundled software program for upkeep and safety. Nonetheless, as it’s, it’s a stable choice as an ultra-compact moveable storage answer.
Ought to I purchase the Addlink P50 moveable SSD?
(Picture credit score: Alastair Jennings)
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Worth
Capability, velocity and sturdiness are all glorious, besides, it nonetheless feels a little bit costly
3.5
Design
Twin connectors, broad compatibility, storage and velocity make this a stable choice
3.5
Options
Glorious for daily-use backing up giant information shortly
4.5
Efficiency
Sadly, only one too many glitches by means of the take a look at affected the efficiency of what might have been an excellent product
4.5
Total
Capability, velocity and sturdiness are all glorious, besides, it nonetheless feels a little bit costly
4.5
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Addlink P50: Worth Comparability
