Transcend ESD370C Review: Desktop-grade Portable SSD drive

Hard drives are still being extracted from PCs and laptops by SSDs. We moved to the present format and portable accessories, which offered quick file access, small file size, and a useful work resource. Among these is the Transcend ESD370C model. Let's investigate the possibilities of a portable SSD drive with a USB interface. 



Evolution of Portable SSD

The market's portable drive category was long ago split into two categories: standard flash drives and conventional HDDs with USB interfaces. However, the traditional "hard" ones are now completely out of date. Even though they are reasonably priced, they have significant disadvantages. The primary cause is inadequate output. This is not really visible while copying a text file, but sending high-definition games or videos might make even the most patient user unhappy.

The design of traditional HDDs is their second drawback. Even though they have a lengthy working life in a steady condition, they are susceptible to drops, vibrations, and other impacts when they are not inside the PC casing. Furthermore, a lot of "mechanics" are drawing a lot of power and might not start without a separate mains adapter. These drives weigh a lot more than their electronic equivalents. Yes, and it's big, so carrying it in your pocket isn't always comfy.

A small part of a Huge building
In this Transcend ESD370C review, we have the 1TB version of the Portable SSD drive, which is compact and also available in 250GB and 500GB storage. Despite the dimensions comparable to a credit card, the accessory received full-fledged hardware. Composite construction: a dense silicone cover stretches over a rigid aluminum body. This combination was chosen not only for design reasons. The metal container acts as a heatsink for heat dissipation, reducing the possibility of throttling. The case, in turn, prevents scratches on the body and makes the device less hot. 

In many situations, an external SSD will be useful. When working with huge files, such video projects, it will take the place of a USB flash drive, for instance. It will also greatly speed up game loading times and work well for increasing the internal memory of Sony and Microsoft gaming consoles. The attachment is also irreplaceable as file storage for a Chromebook or other laptop that does not accept drive upgrades. Our Transcend ESD370C review model arrived to us in an exFAT format. This detail needs to be considered because the external USB SSD drive does not support the TRIM cleaning technique, which results in much slower filesystem speed.

Transcend ESD370C Specifications
Type: SSD
Volume: 1024 GB
Memory Type: TLC 3D NAND
Declared read/write speed: up to 1050/950 MB/s
Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB Type-C connector
Dimensions: 96.5 x 53.6 x 12.5 mm
Weight: 87 grams
OS support: Microsoft Windows 7 / Mac OS X 10.5 and later

The excellent resilience of this mix of materials is another advantageous feature. Although SSDs don't have moving parts as conventional hard drives do, you still shouldn't use them for football games. Transcend has offered robust mechanical defense. It is certified by METH. 516.6 Procedure IV, which addresses protection against mechanical shocks and falls, rather than the military standard MIL-STD-810G. Therefore, connecting the drive to the laptop underwater is not worthwhile, although you may feel less concerned about your valuable data falling off the table.

Far more than a simple USB drive
The primary interface selected by the vendor is USB 3.1 Gen 2 with a Type-C connector. Unlike the low-cost type, the portable SSD drive is compatible with USB Attached SCSI Protocol, or UASP. It is an interface for high-speed USB storage device communication, without getting too technical. Support for mobile devices was also considered, and the SSD can establish an OTG protocol connection with tablets and smartphones. The package comes with a high-speed cable that supports Thunderbolt as well as a USB Type-A cable that is useful for older PCs.


File copy times are shortened by the numerous helpful features of the robust SCSI protocol. As a result, the Transcend ESD370C is capable of writing at up to 950 MB/s and reading at a maximum of 1050 MB/s. That is about twice as much as the SATA model for consumers. In technical terms, the gadget has the theoretical ability to write a 20GB file in approximately 30 seconds. What about in real life?

Test outcomes
In our assessment of the Transcend ESD370C, we used a MacBook Pro 2017. In contrast to benchmark hardware, this technique provides more accurate performance metrics. Additionally, the laptop has high-speed and conventional USB connections. This allowed measurements to be taken in various operating conditions.

Artificial benchmark When CrystalDiskMark was linked to Thunderbolt 3, it displayed outcomes that were similar to those released by Transcend. Peak speeds for sequential writes and reads of various block sizes range from around 941 MB/s to 1036 MB/s. As anticipated, using a USB Type-A connector decreased the speed characteristics to match SATA solutions, with reading and writing speeds of 540 MB/s and 470 MB/s, respectively. 



SLC cache is allotted a little over ten percent of the SSD storage, per established norms. The linear write speed in AIDA64 Extreme was approximately 890 MB/s before filling this buffer; after that, it decreased to a range of 90-140 MB/s. When the open drive space reached about 20%, the indicators were roughly in line with the typical HDD's throughput of 70 to 85 MB/s. The Transcend ESD370C was overclocked to an average of 940 MB/s with linear reading. With a launch that is more in line with reality, PCMark 8 managed to extract 5017 points from the drive, which is comparable to low-cost NVMe alternatives. When utilized for extended periods of time, the attachment does get a touch hot. Through the thermal interface, heat is dispersed within the case; this is adequate for drives that operate under less demanding circumstances. Other than a performance decrease when the cache was full, there was no noticeable throttling (although this is a typical characteristic of non-buffered SSDs).

CONCLUSION
For individuals who appreciate a portable SSD drive's excellent performance in addition to a sturdy casing, the Transcend ESD370C is a flexible choice. Both filmmakers who want to store their footage and IT specialists who frequently work with backups would find it helpful. The drive is robust and can withstand being handled roughly. It fits neatly in your pocket. Although there will be a slight speed decrease, it is compatible with older devices and fully utilizes the USB 3.1 Gen 2 standard.