Samsung T3 Portable SSD Review (2TB) – Samsung Ups The Ante Yet Again

SAMSUNG MAGICIAN V4.9.5

We don’t suggest relying entirely on manufacturer specific benchmarks, however, we are presently using the newest version of Samsung Magician V4.9.5, and we thought it might be a good inclusion as an overload of testing isn’t always such a bad thing:

SAMSUNG T3 PORTABLE SSD AND THE MAC

One of the best things we are seeing as of late is device crossover compatibility for PC, Mac and in this case Android.  The Samsung T3 is plug and play on all and is recognized as that device (not the infamous ‘UNKNOWN DEVICE’) immediately. Moving back and forth between our Mac and PC devices is a breeze. Here is a quick look at OSX performance:

TRUE TRANSFER COMPARISON

In the chart below, we compared our newest 2TB Samsung T3 Portable SSD (UASP), the previous 1TB Samsung Portable T1 SSD (UASP), our 1TB Monster OverDrive 3.0 (USB3.0) and then threw in our OS SSD, the Samsung 2TB 850 Pro (SATA) for good measure.  The sample files were 3GB of music, 3GB of pictures and 10GB of HD movies and the speed was measured by transferring the data to the external device from the OS SSD, or to a separate folder in the case of our system disk.

This comparison clearly shows the advantages of UASP over simple USB 3.0 alone and also demonstrates just how fast the Samsung T3 Portable SSD is when comparing to an internal SATA 3 based SSD.  We thought we might include the results of the previous T1 version just to validate that there was, in fact, a performance bump between the two, considering components are so similar.

REPORT ANALYSIS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

Once again, Samsung has introduced an industry leading product to the consumer with the T3 Portable SSD, one that quite frankly seems to be void of any competition.  Not only does it rule in value, performance and capacity, but also, Samsung truly listened to what the consumer had to say in stepping this up from their T1 Portable SSD.  Let’s take a look at some of the definite pluses with the T3:

DATA SECURITY

The T1 was a ‘security first’ product where it could not be used without the password software being in place.  We experienced difficulties trying to use this in secure business laptops, limiting its overall use.  The T3 changes that by giving the consumer the opportunity to enable device security, or to simply use it as an open storage device.  With AES 256-Bit encryption, we can guarantee that nobody will be breaking into your device anytime soon when the security software is active.

CONSISTENT SPEEDS THROUGHOUT ALL CAPACITIES

One of the most difficult things to overcome in the SSD industry has always been the simple fact that lower capacity meant lower performance.  Samsung has overcome this with the T3 Portable SSD, as it did with the T1, through the use of its proprietary TurboWrite Technology which guarantees the same performance regardless of capacity.

UASP HIGH SPEED DATA TRANSFERS

UASP can be the single most confusing thing to consumers.  It is a protocol that works with (and in addition to) USB 3.0 and 3.1 and the system must have it enabled in order for top speeds to be reached using the T3, or any UASP compatible device for that fact.  Where it is integrated into newer systems, older systems may require the installation of software in order for these speeds to be reached.  Once we are there though, 450MB/s performance (and more importantly small random write performance) is achievable.

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY

We use a mixture of Mac and PC systems in the office and, on so many occasions, storage devices have been very difficult to simply move data back and forth when running from office to office.  The Samsung T3 Portable SSD is the most compatible device we have found to date with respect to compatibility and is quickly and easily recognized by Mac, PC and Android devices.

PRICE, WARRANTY AND AVAILABILITY

If there was going to be a knock against the T3, it would be with the 3-year warranty as we had gotten so used to much better.  Pricing, however, looks very good with the 2TB T3 coming in at .41/GB.  As always, Samsung will have the T3 available at any and every PC retailer one may find.

In consideration of the Samsung T3 Portable SSDs performance, feature set and value, it is more than deserving of our Editor’s Choice Award!

Check Out Samsung T3 Portable SSD Pricing at Amazon