Introduction
We have another SSD for review and this will be the third of recent external SSD reviews we’ve done that actually uses a tiny body and arrives in thumb drive format. That’s right, the ADATA SC610 USB3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) external SSD comes in a classic flash drive body but crams 1TB of SSD transfer potential in this tiny body.
We’ll take a closer look at this tiny drive, how it performs, when its performance falls off and a few others. Read on to find out more!
Features & Specification
- USB 3.2 Gen2 (USB 10Gbps) transmission speed
- Transfer up to 550/500MB per second
- Up to 2000GB capacity
- Capless slide-out design and cableless for easy portability
- Cutout for key rings and backpack accessories
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Capacity | 500GB / 1000GB / 2000GB |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 67.3 x 23.5 x 10.2mm / 2.65 x 0.93 x 0.4inch |
| Weight | 13g / 0.46oz |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 (USB 10Gbps) (backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen1, USB 2.0) |
| Sequential Read (Max*) | Up to 550 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (Max*) | Up to 500 MB/s |
| Operating system requirements | Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Linux kernel 2.6 or later, with no device driver needed |
| Op. Temperature | 0°C(32°F) to 60°C (140°F) |
| Op. Voltage | DC 5V, 900mA |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty |
Closer Look
The ADATA SC610 comes in a bright pink, full colored box. There is no see-through hole and the only glimpse of the product you can see is the hero image on the front. Its close to real size actually but there’s nothing like holding it in person.
Back to the packaging, there’s not a lot in terms of details here: we do have some specs at the back but other than that, this is a simple packaging.
Content also includes the drive only.
Let me remind you that this is a review of an external SSD but yes, the ADATA SC610 utilizes the most classic flash drive body which to some may cheapen the idea of the product, but for others (like me), really gives it that nostalgic feel.
User Experience & Conclusion
SSDs have fallen in price so much and with the abundance of NAND flash and with that, we’ve also been seeing a lot more external SSDs and with the recent products we’ve seen, they’re carving a market that fully puts the external SSD inside a thumb drive form factor.
While the Transcend ESD310C has a simpler aesthetic, the ADATA SC610 has a more bulkier body, akin to the thumb drives of the mid- to late-2000s. The slide-out mechanic means there’s no need for end-caps which is a good design choice and a loop for a tie or key ring should help us keep the ADATA SC610 with an easily memorable trinket.
In terms of actual performance, we do have to acknowledge that the ADATA SC610 is a 10Gbps USB3.2 Gen2 device but the actual transfer speed rating we’re seeing only seeing around 560MB/s of transfer speed, basically around SATAIII speeds. We’ll talk more about that a bit later and also keep in mind the write speed which is ~500MB/s. Small file writes does even the playing field with the ADATA SC610 external SSD showing very strong small file performance and competitive small file write througput.
This means that this is SSD works better than the Kingston XS1000 or the Trascend ESD310C when working with smaller files and while minimal at the grand scope of things, if you’re primary work files involve lare amounts of data below 1MB, the ADATA SC610 would be the better choice.
And ultimately all of that leads to price, the ADATA SC610 external SSD is currently listed at PHP4,099.00 for 1TB and PHP7,399.00 for the 2TB capacity model. While initially somewhat cheaper, this does goes against the rest of the market as the likes of Kingston and Transcend prices their external SSDs at around mid-PHP3000~ for an actual 10Gbps drive. ADATA’s 500MB/s throughput puts its position half of what both 10Gbps drive offers and this is exceptionally unappealling when the prices are matched against each other.
International pricing for the ADAT A SC610 does make it more appealing so should ADATA Philippines adjusts their local pricing, that should make the drive more palatable. That still leaves the question of performance but to its defense, the convenience factor here will be very much the deciding factor. The Kingston XS1000 while small requires cables and the Transcend ESD310C has both USB-A and USB-C interfaces.
I’ve surveyed and some folks and some prioritize utmost throughput while more prioritize the ease of use. Still, there are those that prefer the portability and amongst the 3 we’ve tested, the ADATA SC610 is the easiest to carry around both as a pocketable option or as a keychain. Its slideout mechanism also makes it easily out of mind when you use it as you don’t have to put away any caps or cables.
All in all, the choice is up to the user in terms of portability and functional aesthetic. Performance may excel in smaller files but potential throughput is still key in some usage and the ADATA SC610 lags behind modern drives. If the price was better, it would’ve been an easy recommendation.
If you’re looking for an external SSD that’s the epitome of the stereotypical thumbdrive: small, compact and easy to use, the ADATA SC610 is all of that plus 500MB/s of transfer speed.
