Seagate has made waves in the storage industry with its latest offering, the Ultra Compact SSD. This device, available in 1TB and 2TB models, presents a unique design that closely resembles a thumb drive while packing significant functionality into a small package. However, it isn’t without its drawbacks, particularly in performance and pricing.
Table of Contents
Design and Build Quality
The Seagate Ultra Compact SSD stands out with its sleek design, mimicking the form factor of a modern thumb drive. With dimensions of just 2.7 x 0.7 x 0.34 inches, it is incredibly portable. Key features include:
- Material: Constructed with a single-piece aluminum shell, offering both style and robustness.
- Sustainability: Made from up to 35% recycled materials, demonstrating Seagate’s commitment to eco-friendliness.
- Durability: Rated for drops of up to three meters, and features IP54 dust and water resistance, ensuring longevity in various conditions.
Performance Evaluation
When examining performance, the Ultra Compact SSD delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. However, benchmarks reveal mixed results compared to competitors:
- Testing Insights: According to PCMark 10 testing by Tom’s Hardware, the drive fell short in comparison to other external SSDs.
- Write Speed: The SSD achieved a write speed of 512 Mbps, placing it behind other models such as the Silicon Power DS72 and PNY Pro Elite 3.
- Mixed Performance: Despite lower rankings in pure speed, it managed a commendable mixed-file read speed of 570 Mbps.
One notable feature that stands out is the inclusion of the Seagate Rescue Data Recovery service, which provides users with three years of coverage for data recovery needs, catering to potential mishaps that come with data storage.
Pros and Cons
While the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD has appealing attributes, considering its benefits and drawbacks can assist potential buyers. Here are some highlighted points:
- Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable.
- Durable with water and dust resistance ratings.
- Includes valuable data recovery services.
- Cons:
- Performance speeds may not meet the expectations set by higher-end competitors.
- Pricing could deter potential buyers given similar options in the market.
Pricing and Availability
The pricing structure for the Ultra Compact SSD may be a critical factor for consumers. The 1TB version is priced at £90.99, which positions it as a mid-range option among external SSDs. For those looking for larger capacity, the 2TB version is available at a steeper price of $179.99, which could be seen as excessive when alternatives exist that offer better performance for a similar or lower cost.
Despite its compact nature and decent features, the question remains whether the price reflects its capabilities. As the demand for portable storage continues to evolve, the slow demise of traditional flash drives suggests a shifting landscape. The Ultra Compact SSD serves as a reminder of this transition but may ultimately struggle to compete on performance and value in a crowded marketplace.
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