This mini SSD enclosure transformed my data management – and I never leave home without it

Data transfer is an important aspect of my daily life. I’m constantly moving photos, videos, and more between my devices. One of the annoying aspects of transferring is how long it takes to move large amounts of data. I didn’t have the option to move files directly so I used Google Drive as a hub, but using the service for its intended purpose takes a lot of time.

I thought I was stuck with slow speeds until I tried out the Satechi Mini NVMe SSD enclosure, a device I didn’t even know I needed.

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The Satechi case houses 2230mm NVMe SSDs, allowing users to connect them directly to their computer via USB-C. No installation is required, allowing you to turn your small SSD into a flash drive. However, you’ll need NVMe hardware, and therein lies the device’s biggest problem: it’s expensive to use.

2230mm NVMe SSDs aren’t cheap. My 1 TB WD_Black SN700M the disc costs about $100. However, the price is worth the performance you get. For testing, I transferred a few 4K movies and video games between devices through the Satechi case to see how it performed, and the results were impressive.

Moving a 21GB movie to my laptop took about 30 seconds, and sending an 85GB game took about two minutes. Transferring my 4K photos didn’t take long; it was instant.

Keep in mind that these speeds are dependent on your computer having 10Gbps USB-A ports. On my desktop computer, which only had 5Gbps USB-A ports, reception times were longer. It took about a minute to transfer a 21GB movie and almost four minutes to transfer an 85GB game. file

Heat also seems to increase transfer time. Transferring a large game file to my Asus ROG Ally took almost 15 minutes after the laptop started overheating. On the back of the Satechi case there is a cooling fan that automatically activates when the temperature rises.

I was hoping that the fan along with the cooled ROG Ally would improve the transfer time of the 85GB game, but it didn’t. The second time the process still took 15 minutes. So if you need to move large files, be aware that the transfer may take longer than expected. As far as I can tell, your experience will vary from product to product.

I also want to talk about the Satechi SSD case design because I found it interesting. Unlike a regular USB dongle, the device is made in an aluminum case with a scratch-resistant sliding glass panel that protects the internal drive. The rugged exterior makes the case ideal for travel. It even comes with a braided extension for attaching to a bag or for placing a key on the side.

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Connecting via cable seems more secure than removing the key from the computer. I just wish Satechi would come up with a better way to protect the fork itself. The kit comes with a small plastic cap, which I almost immediately lost.

ZDNET Buying Tips

Satechi Mini NVMe SSD Case currently sells for $60 on the company’s website. It is compatible with Windows 11, ChromeOS, Linux and the latest versions of macOS, iOS and Linux. However, only a select group of devices support the key, including M4 MacBook Pro And Microsoft Surface Studio for Laptops.

The Satechi website also provides a detailed list of supported hardware and operating systems. A company spokesperson told me that the device works with select Android phones and that they will update the list to include those models. However, at the time of writing this article, this information is still missing.