Today, we’ll be taking a quick look at the Lexar SL500 2TB Portable SSD. It’s a compact credit-card size portable SSD, with a thickness of only 3.8mm. It has a solid aluminum unibody construction that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. It includes Lexar DataShield, with 256-bit AES encryption, to help keep your sensitive files secure.
It uses the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, and has a total capacity of 2TB with a read speed of up to 2000 Mb/s, a write speed of up to 1800 Mb/s.
It’s compatible with PC, Mac, Android devices, iPhone 15 series, gaming consoles, cameras, and more. The Lexar SL500 is one of the few portable SSDs that supports Apple Pro Res recording. You can shoot up to 4K @ 60FPS directly to the drive, using your iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Lexar SL500 are available in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities. Our review sample comes with a total capacity of 2TB, which is plenty for most users.
It’s extremely compact and light-weight, about the size of a credit card measuring only 85mm x 54mm x 7.8mm (the thinnest part is 4.8mm), and weighing in at only 43g.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sIvDZFtDdvI
You can also check out the various types of USB standards via the chart below. Silverstone explains the differences quite well here.
I would like to send a big thank you to Lexar for the review sample! Here is a snippet of what they have to say about themselves on their website:
Since establishment, Lexar has worked diligently to bring unparalleled value to our customers. We define value as providing well-designed, innovated, and user-friendly products that meet the expectations of customers and enterprises looking for memory solutions to count on.
The Lexar Quality Labs are a group of testing facilities where all Lexar memory card, card reader, and USB flash drives undergo extensive testing to ensure performance, quality, compatibility, and reliability. This provides customers with the highest level of confidence when using Lexar products to capture, manage, move, and store the memories that matter.
We have a team of dedicated lab technicians that test Lexar products with more than 1,100 intended digital devices, including:
- DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras
- Video cameras
- Drones
- Action cameras
- Mobile phones
- Desktop, laptop, and tablet computers
- Card readers
- Gaming consoles
In addition to device compatibility testing, technicians in the Lexar Quality Labs also test products for durability by putting them through various vibration, temperature, electric shock, impact, and strength tests. This rigorous testing ensures all Lexar products offer the quality and reliability customers have come to expect from Lexar.
One of the most attractive selling point is the fact that … not only does it works on PCs, but it also works on Mac, Android devices, iPhone 15 series, gaming consoles, cameras, and more. Plus you can shoot up to 4K @ 60FPS directly to the drive, using your mobile device such as an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or other smartphones.
To test the Lexar SL500 portable SSD at the full read speed of 2000 MB/sec, we used our desktop PC which features the fast USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, as found on the Asus Strix Z790-E Gaming motherboard. Please note that not all PCs or laptops feature this port, so check your manual.
Where to buy
- You can buy the Lexar SL500 2TB Portable SSD for around USD $170-$220 from Amazon – https://amzn.to/3PPHVoi
- You can also get the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps) Type-E to Type-C front panel header extension from Amazon – https://amzn.to/3RQtQG7
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