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SanDisk Professional 8TB G-Drive Enterprise-Class External Desktop Hard Drive Review: A Powerhouse with Some Caveats
The SanDisk Professional 8TB G-Drive Enterprise-Class External Desktop Hard Drive is a high-performance storage solution designed for professionals who need reliable, fast, and durable storage. With its 7200RPM Ultrastar HDD, USB-C (10Gbps) interface, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility, this drive promises blazing-fast speeds of up to 260MB/s read and write. Its stackable, anodized aluminum enclosure adds a touch of style and durability, while the customizable LED light brightness makes it both functional and visually appealing.
Whether you're a photographer, videographer, or data-heavy professional, this drive is marketed as a reliable companion for handling demanding workloads. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: A Detailed Breakdown
1. Performance and Speed
Pros:
- Blazing-Fast Speeds: Many users praised the drive’s performance, with one reviewer noting speeds of up to 280MB/s when transferring data directly from their MacBook. This makes it ideal for handling large files like HD videos, photos, and music libraries.
- High Capacity: The 8TB storage capacity is a standout feature, offering ample space for backups, media libraries, and other data-intensive tasks. One user even highlighted that the drive’s actual storage size matched the advertised 22TB, which is a rare and appreciated honesty in the industry.
Cons:
- Speed Drops with Encryption: While the drive performs well initially, some users reported a significant drop in speed after encrypting the drive. One reviewer mentioned a 30% reduction in speed, bringing it down to around 90MB/s, which was disappointing given the initial performance.
- Limitations with Other Devices: The drive’s speed can be bottlenecked by slower external drives during backups. For example, one user noted that their backups took longer because the other drives couldn’t keep up with the G-Drive’s speed.
2. Build Quality and Durability
Pros:
- Rugged and Stylish Design: The anodized aluminum enclosure is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Users appreciated the stackable design and anchor points, which make it easy to integrate into professional setups.
- Sturdy Construction: Several reviewers highlighted the drive’s robust build, with one describing it as “extremely sturdy” and “impressive.”
Cons:
- Not Drop-Resistant: While the enclosure is durable, it lacks padding, making it less resistant to drops compared to some other drives. This isn’t a dealbreaker for desk use but could be a concern for those who need a more portable solution.
3. Usability and Compatibility
Pros:
- Mac-Ready and Time Machine Compatible: Out of the box, the G-Drive is Mac-ready and works seamlessly with Apple Time Machine. This makes it a convenient choice for Mac users who need a reliable backup solution.
- Easy Reformatting for Windows: Windows users can easily reformat the drive, ensuring compatibility across different operating systems.
Cons:
- Disconnection Issues on Mac: Some Mac users reported frequent disconnections, with the drive randomly disappearing from the system. One reviewer shared a frustrating experience where their Photos library disappeared after the drive disconnected, leading to data loss.
- Power Button Issues: The power button’s functionality was a point of contention. One user noted that the button lacks a tactile feel and doesn’t fully turn off the drive, requiring the power supply to be unplugged instead.
4. Portability and Power Supply
Pros:
- Desk-Friendly Design: For users who plan to keep the drive stationary, the G-Drive’s size and weight are manageable. Its stackable design also makes it easy to organize in a workspace.
Cons:
- Not Truly Portable: The drive’s external power supply and larger size make it less portable than some competitors. Users who need a drive for on-the-go use may find this inconvenient.
Conclusion: Is the SanDisk Professional G-Drive Worth It?
The SanDisk Professional 8TB G-Drive Enterprise-Class External Desktop Hard Drive is a mixed bag. On one hand, it offers impressive speed, high capacity, and a durable, stylish design that’s perfect for professionals who need reliable storage for demanding tasks. Its Mac compatibility and easy reformatting for Windows are also major pluses.
However, the drive isn’t without its flaws. Disconnection issues on Mac, a disappointing power button, and speed drops with encryption are notable drawbacks. Additionally, its lack of portability and drop resistance may not suit users who need a more versatile solution.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a high-capacity, high-performance drive for desk use and can overlook its minor quirks, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive is a solid choice. However, if portability and seamless Mac compatibility are priorities, you might want to explore alternatives like the WD My Desk.
Specification SanDisk Professional 8TB G-Drive Enterprise-Class External Desktop Hard Drive - 7200RPM Ultrastar HDD Inside, USB-C (10Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2, Mac Ready - SDPHF1A-008T-NBAAD:
Comments from Amazon:
I rarely write product reviews. But this product is so bad I feel compelled to warn buyers. Beware of this product. It has been nothing but problems. I do not know how it interacts with windows, but it does NOT work well with Mac at all. Bottom line: Do not buy this SanDisk. Go for the WD My Desk. I have had it for a year, and it constantly disconnects for no reason. Randomly, just disappears. Restart it, it usually shows up again. I store all our photos on this. I have been constantly having to restore the Photos library after it disconnects. Well, that is until two days ago, when the Photos library just disappeared. Gone. 20,000 photos gone. I was able to find the file in Time Machine and restore it to this drive. Seemed like it was all fixed. And then...poof. This entire drive is now empty. It cant be repaired in disk utility. Thankfully I was able to pull the old file from time machine and add to another external drive. Hopefully I have no more issues. But i will not use this drive ever again. I have been using WD My Desk external drives for 15 years. I have NEVER had an issue with them, at all. I have purchased 7 over the years as I have needed more and more storage. Every one has worked perfectly. I decided to try this SanDisk because it is the "professional" model. What a joke. It's a piece of garbage. If you need an external drive for Mac, get a WD My Desk. Do NOT buy this SanDisk
One of the few times I bother to review about an item: I am using this to back up all my other 4TB+ drives I have. (about 5 or so) Using a macbook Air 2020 version with the M1 chip using Carbon Copy Cloner to backup everything. The speed is as advertised, but remember there will a limitation on the other drives. I was getting slow writes speeds because the other drives could not keep up. Copying something from my Macbook to the drive, i was able to get the 280mbps, but due to the limits on the other drives, the backups took a lot longer. I both a Sandisk Extreme Pro 4TB hard drive with 2,000mbps, so i am expecting to get the advertised speeds on the backups also. Memory: 22TB (Not 20.5TB or something like that, first time someone is actually honest about the size) Format: APFS+ Size: This this is a little bit on the big size, not something I would call as portable, but it is durable. Speed: 280mbps speed (tested and verified myself), but remember limitation due to other devices. Build: Extremely sturdy, really impressive Extras: Came with 20GB type C to Type C cord and a power cord Update: (Encrypted drive - 12/7/2022) After loading about 5TB on it, the speed has gone down quite a bit. Encryption does bring it down by about 30%, however, I was expecting to still be at about 150mbps; however, it is at about 90mbps. A little bit disappointed that the speed has gone down so much. I still have a few more TBs to load. Still happy with it, but the speed is quite a bit slower than I was hoping for, but that is due to the encryption.
This is a great external drive! It arrived on time and in good shape. I'm using it as an encrypted Time Machine backup drive and it's doing the job very well. I would purchase it again if the need arose for a second one.
Drive arrived on time. No problems with transferring data. Power button doesn't seem to work very well. There's no good tactile feel for whether or not the button is being "pushed". I contacted G-Drive customer support and was told the power button doesn't really turn the drive off completely. To do that, you have to unplug the power supply. Disappointing since that's one of the main reasons I purchased this particular drive. Also, the drive spins up and down periodically while the computer is sleeping and no it's not related to the computer settings. Support didn't give a very clear response to this, but I think it may be a Mac M2 issue, since there are other problems with external hard drives with the M1, M2 Macs. Bottom line: as long as a functional power button isn't important to you, it's a decent purchase.
Excelente compra
Met my need.
I've been using two of these for more than a month, and so far I haven't had any problems at all. I'm using them for backups, so they don't get stressed very much, but they stay cool and quiet, unlike some other drives I've had. The enclosure seems rugged, and even looks a bit stylish. The performance is more than adequate for what I'm doing -- not as good as a SSD, of course, but better than an ordinary "USB-powered" drives. Note that this drive is much less "portable" than some of its peers: it has an external power supply (so you need to carry that with you, *and* have a place to plug it in, if you want to use it away from your office), and the enclosure is larger and heavier than those drives, and, although the enclosure seems very robust, it might not be as drop-resistant because it isn't padded like some of them are. This is fine with me, because my plan is to leave this on my desk and use it for backups when my computer is docked.