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When you’re carting round a MacBook Air and wish some additional storage capability, there are various choices available on the market that you would choose up. Details of differentiation are velocity, dimension, and sturdiness, and it is usually fairly exhausting to search out an exterior drive that may cowl all three nicely.

The Essential X6 is a really small exterior SSD that connects over USB 3.1 sort C. The scale permits you to simply stow it away in a bag and pull it out each time it is required.

We have been utilizing the 4TB variant, which Essential rolled out in March 2021. On the time, it joined the roster alongside a 1TB and 2TB model, and the storage producer in parallel additionally elevated the connection velocity to match the bigger capability.

Key specs

• Choices for as much as 4TB accessible.
• USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity.
• Suitable with earlier USB variations.
• Sequential learn speeds of as much as 800MB/s claimed.
• 2.7 inches by 2.5 inches by 0.43 inches.
• 3-year guarantee.

Dimension and design

The unassuming drive is uninspiring in design, however not all the things must be cast by Jony Ive. It’s a small sq. plastic enclosure, with a USB-C port on one facet and the Essential brand printed on the highest panel.

It isn’t going to win awards with its look, however it’s definitely satisfactory and what some would take into account a reasonably typical look for such an merchandise.

The drive measures 69mm by 64mm (2.7 inches by 2.5 inches) and is simply 11mm (0.43 inches) thick. It is also light-weight at about 40 grams (1.4 ounces).

Essential has included a brief USB Sort-C to USB Sort-C cable within the field, however in case you carry one round anyway, it is one much less factor to place into the bag. With an appropriate cable or adapter, it could actually additionally connect with USB-A 3.0 or USB 2.0 ports at a corresponding drop in velocity.

The corporate notes that the drive has shock and vibration resistance, and it’s rated for drops of as much as 6.5 toes.

It will not crush your bag, and it’ll simply have the ability to face up to being jostled round within the bag, too.

Capability and efficiency

Earlier than releasing the 4TB model, Essential’s X6 lineup was marketed as having sequential learn speeds of as much as 540MB/s. The 4TB mannequin alone is rated at as much as 800MB/s, all carried over a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Sort-C connection, with a most bandwidth of 10Gbps.

YourNextApp’s testing of the drive utilizing BlackMagicDesign’s Disk Pace take a look at put the 4TB mannequin as having learn speeds of 677MB/s, whereas write speeds have been 756MB/s. Whereas neither are fairly on the 800Mb/s, it’s within the ballpark. Each velocity exams are nonetheless far quicker than the sub-4TB fashions by a great distance.

Over 50 sustained exams, we observed that there was a drop in efficiency of round 15%. That is both a warmth or cache “problem,” however is suitable for on a regular basis use.

Compatibility and assist

In contrast to another drives that embrace safety features like onboard encryption, you are taking a look at a decidedly less complicated gadget total right here. This is not a high-security drive and is as an alternative a block of storage you’ll be able to plug in and entry each time and wherever you need.

That mentioned, there’s nothing stopping you from utilizing varied software-based instruments for encryption and backup functions. Essential consists of assist for Apple’s Time Machine, FileVault, BitLocker, and Home windows Backup.

Naturally, it really works with Macs and iPadOS units, together with Home windows, Android, and main sport consoles.

When it comes to assist, you could have a three-year guarantee from the time of buy.

Compact and succesful

The Essential X6 4TB Moveable SSD is a superb reply to the issue of needing additional exterior storage to your MacBook Professional or iPad Professional whereas on the transfer. Its small dimension, which is improved by reusing USB Sort-C cables chances are you’ll already personal for different units, makes it very simply carried round alongside your {hardware}.

When you’re in search of one thing that’s absolutely featured, gives enhanced safety, and different extras, there are different drives available on the market, and this wasn’t ever supposed to be your resolution.

Those that need blistering velocity always might also need to look elsewhere, as some Thunderbolt drives or exterior RAID enclosures can provide far quicker speeds. That mentioned, the speeds noticed with the 4TB mannequin are nonetheless greater than sufficient for a lot of potential customers.

There are cheaper do-it-yourself options. It can save you a few bucks at full retail to shell out round $360 for a 4TB SATA SSD and perhaps one other $25 for an exterior enclosure that connects over USB-C, for a complete funding of only a bit lower than $400. However, you are, you are going to be restricted to the SATA bus velocity of the DIY mannequin at lower than 550Mb/s, just a few hundred under Essential’s drive, in addition to missing any of the protecting components.

The Essential X6 4TB SSD is a no-frills drive, and it will get the job completed. It does it with out fashion, and at a superb value to efficiency ratio.

Professionals

• Compact and lightweight.
• Quick connectivity over USB Sort-C.
• Fairly priced.
• Drop and knock safety.

Cons

• Uninspiring design.
• Warmth throttles connectivity.
• No additional encryption options.

Ranking: 4 out of 5

The place to purchase

The Essential X6 4TB is available for purchase at Amazon for $489.95. It may also be purchased from B&H Photograph for $489.95.

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