by 4 reviews.
Samsung T5 Portable SSD 2TB Review: Speed, Security, and Style in One Compact Drive
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD 2TB is a game-changer for anyone in need of fast, reliable, and portable storage. With its 540 MB/s read-write speeds, compact design, and robust security features, this external solid-state drive is a favorite among professionals, gamers, and creatives alike. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
1. Speed and Performance
One of the standout features of the Samsung T5 is its blazing-fast speed. Customers consistently praise its ability to handle large files, such as 4K videos and high-resolution photos, with ease.
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Pros
- "Unbelievable. Extremely Impressed. So Fast!" – Many users report that the T5 delivers on its promise of fast data transfers. One reviewer mentioned transferring a 10GB movie file "like a laser cutting through butter."
- "Fast enough to work with 4K ProRes on the go." – Video editors and content creators appreciate the drive’s ability to handle demanding workflows without lag.
- "Pulling it out of the MacBook Air was a bit of a pain, but the speed is worth it." – While the USB-C connection is tight, the performance more than makes up for it.
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Cons
- "It doesn’t like extension cables." – Some users found that the drive only performs at full speed with the included cables. Third-party or longer cables can significantly reduce performance.
- "Runs very hot." – A few reviewers noted that the drive gets hot during extended use, though this doesn’t seem to affect performance.
2. Build Quality and Durability
The T5’s sleek, all-metal design not only looks premium but also adds to its durability.
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Pros
- "Good construction/metal outer casing." – Customers love the sturdy build, which feels solid and reliable.
- "Small, portable, and solid." – Its compact size (smaller than a business card) and lightweight design make it easy to carry around.
- "Shock-resistant and durable." – The drive can withstand drops of up to 2 meters, making it a great choice for those on the move.
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Cons
- "The label with the serial number is on the front." – Some users found the placement of the label aesthetically unappealing.
- "Shipped in a thin bubble envelope instead of a box." – A few reviewers reported receiving damaged packaging, though the drive itself remained unharmed.
3. Compatibility and Usability
The T5 is designed to work seamlessly across multiple platforms, but there are a few quirks to be aware of.
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Pros
- "Works great with Windows, Mac, and Android." – The included USB Type-C to C and Type-C to A cables ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices.
- "Easy to reformat for optimal use." – Users appreciate the flexibility to partition the drive for different file systems (e.g., NTFS for Windows and exFAT for Android).
- "Perfect for gaming." – Gamers love using the T5 to store and play PS4 games directly from the drive.
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Cons
- "USB-C standards can be inconsistent." – Some users experienced issues with third-party cables or adapters, which can affect performance.
- "Takes a bit of effort to remove from tight USB-C ports." – The secure connection is a double-edged sword, as it can be tricky to unplug.
4. Security Features
The T5’s optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption are major selling points for users who prioritize data security.
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Pros
- "Easy to set up password protection." – The intuitive management software makes it simple to secure your files.
- "Peace of mind knowing my data is safe." – Professionals handling sensitive information appreciate the robust encryption.
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Cons
- "No major complaints about security." – Most users found the security features to be reliable and effective.
Conclusion: Is the Samsung T5 Portable SSD 2TB Worth It?
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD 2TB is a powerhouse of speed, durability, and security, making it an excellent choice for anyone in need of reliable external storage. Its compact design and compatibility with multiple devices add to its appeal, while the optional password protection ensures your data stays safe.
However, it’s not without its flaws. The drive’s sensitivity to third-party cables and tendency to run hot are minor drawbacks, but they don’t overshadow its overall performance.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a fast, secure, and portable SSD that can handle demanding tasks like 4K video editing or gaming, the Samsung T5 is a solid investment. Just be prepared to stick with the included cables for optimal performance.
Specification SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 2TB - Up to 540MB/s - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive, Black (MU-PA2T0B/AM):
Comments from Amazon:
Not sure why my first reviews not posted as I showed the damage with shipping as it was shipped in a thin bubble envelope instead of box. See pictures of the damage. Not worried as the drive has no moving parts, but they need to thinking about how they ship various items. Ok for the good, this drive is small, portable and solid. It has 2TB of storage and work out well for moving my PS4 games over to the drive as well as moving my PS5 games over. I was able to play PS4 off the drive with no issues. It takes less time to move PS5 from the ssd to the console, than to download it to the console. The console will only allow certain speed, so to get the faster one would be overkill and more expensive. The T5 drive will get the job done and not break the bank. So far, so good. I have played the PS4 game (COD) right off the drive with no problems for a few days. Worth the buy.
I've been waiting to buy a portable 2TB SSD for a while now. I've looked at many different brands, SanDisk, G-Drive, Glyph, etc... But I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I picked up this T5 as an Amazon Deal of the Day so I got an awesome price! I also finally got to try Amazon's 5 month, no interest, item payment plan lol. Thanks for giving me another reason to keep my Prime account, Amazon! I uploaded a pic of a quick speed test using Samsung Magician. I imagine it would be faster if my laptop didn't also have a regular WD Black HDD inside, as well as a Samsung Evo 860 M.2 SSD as my OS drive. I wanted to be able to use this for Windows 10 backups, and for Android phone backups. It comes formatted as exFAT file system, for use with Android devices and such. I deleted the exFAT partition and created a new 1.5TB NTFS partition, and a separate 500GB exFAT partition, so I can now use it for both Windows and Android :-) Samsung T5 is in a nice, sturdy aluminum case that is kind of a matte finish, so it doesn't smudge and hold fingerprints like shiny aluminum. It is very small and lightweight, so very portable. I love the USB-C to USB-C connection! It has a 3 year warranty as well, so I'm pretty confident it will last. I will update this review if anything changes!
Unbelievable. Extremely Impressed. So Fast! Straight out of the Box without formatting did everything I asked of it. Super lightweight, USB-C cable clicks in which is not usually the case, but it makes me feel it's not going anywhere, not that USB-C goes anywhere anyway. It transfers 10 Gb movie files like it's a laser cutting through Butter. 60 Gb 4K movies from my none SSD external drive took about 5 minutes, but that is a limitation of all the non-direct transfers and adapters. If I had it on my MacBook Air it would be much faster. Just tried that and it took 2 minutes. It runs very hot, but with no moving parts no noise obviously. It had been in the cold outside and now it's hot to the touch. Played a 4K movie with HDR straight from my Macbook Air to my 55" LG C7 OLED HDR 4K TV and it was smooth. This is a workhorse. I can tell. One day I would love a 50 Tb version of this or more. Highly recommend. Well worth the price. If I have any issues I will update this review. So far smooth sailing. Pulling it out of the Macbook Air was a bit of a pain. Connection may be too tight.
I feel bad for the few reviewers who had bad experiences. But in my experience with buying maybe 15 - wp or more of these now and using them with Macs and PCs, these have been flawless for me and my team. I use one for each of four Macs for time machine. I use several of these as always available, connected extra fast drives on two Macs and a PC. I use these with Mac formats, xFat, and NTFS in various uses. They work great with bitlocker or Mac encryption. Small, sturdy, fast, and reliable. Easy to reformat them for optimal for your use.
I selected this SSD for our car and has been working great at peak -30°C here in Canada. It's not the fastest SSD but I only need it to be connected to a USB 2.0 device (Joying 10.1" Android head unit). It also comes with a USB-C to USB-C to transfer directly to a mobile device, solid build. 2TB is the max that FAT32 formatting supports, perfect for compatibility with Windows, Apple, Android, any device. It loads instantly as an external drive in Android compared to exFAT. Much recommended!
Super Rápido, simples de usar e configurar o sistema de segurança de dados ofertado pela Samsung. Melhor compra que fiz em anos!
First, the case was not included. That was an extra purchase. Just to be clear it’s in the pics only because I highly recommend at least a small “EVA” case since it is light weight and probably wouldn’t hold up to being crushed or dropped. The case recommended was perfect. It’s a great drive. Good construction/ metal outer casing. Large capacity @ 2TB is perfect for 4k footage. Decent/ reasonable price. Good performance. Apx 500mbs synchronous. Fast enough to work with 4K prores on the go. Certainly the fastest external I have. See pics for screen grab. Very compact and easy to carry. However, it doesn’t like extension cables in the least. This is not a fault of the drive, just a fault of crappy and wildly different USB C standards. So far it seems to only work with the original cables. I had trouble even mounting the drive with cables other than the original. I’m using an Abelton USBC card on my Mac Pro and the Samsung seems to prefer the type A gen 2 port on one of my machines. On the other machine USBC is fine. They have slight differences. With a direct connection I get full speed. So far longer cables and adapter cables seem to crush the performance ranging from slow to slow as molasses. I’ll update when I find a better cable longer than 1-3 FT. In the mean time I’m ok with the short cable as long as I get full speed. The only Other gripe I have is purely aesthetic. I hate that the label with the serial/ model number and bar code is on the front of the drive. Ugly staring at it on my desk. Samsung please just laser etch it in next time.