In the macitynet pages you will find several Hard Disk reviews, starting from the mechanical USB 3.0 ones up to the solid state ones via USB-C: today, however, in the spotlight we have this new G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD, a really Thunderbolt 3 disk. important for performance (and price), designed for those who need very high performance in an external disk, as if it were an internal one.
G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD, the review
Simple box, complete product
Inside the box, rather anonymous for a product of this price range, there is the actual disk and a Thunderbolt 3 cable for connecting to a Mac or PC with the same port.
Aesthetically, it is a unit whose size could accommodate a 2.5 ”SSD (112x80x17 mm), while most likely a much smaller NVME memory is housed inside. However, for those who travel and use such a disc in busy or extreme situations, such a size is suggested because it is more practical and easier to handle.
The external surface is in soft matte rubber, except for the ends in gray satin aluminum and the internal part in bright blue, visible through a grille (which probably protects the actual unit).
The satin metal shows, on one side, a Thunderbolt 3 connector, on the other a small white LED that indicates operation. There are no power sockets, the connection is more than sufficient to offer data and energy transfer.
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Proof of everything
G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD was born as a “rugged” product, that is, designed to be used in the office (but in this case it is a bit wasted, perhaps it would be better to opt for Desktop type units) when and especially when traveling, or in a location outside the office.
The external coating is in fact designed to absorb shocks from falls up to three meters (thanks to the absence of mechanical parts) and crushing up to 453 kg (you read that right), as well as being immune from dust and dirt and can be submerged. up to three meters (these specifications are not present on the official website, but the video that is shown on the same page is unequivocal).
All this is covered by a 5-year guarantee, very interesting for those who invest a significant amount in such a product but need a product that, so to speak, suffers various mistreatments during work.
The Thunderbolt 3 port on the back promises fabulous performance: however, beware, from our tests the compatibility is only Thunderbolt 3 and not USB-C
The Barry Allen of records
Note that there was no way to connect the G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD to a Mac or PC via other mixed cables, such as a USB-C / USB-A cable, useful with older computers . Tested with a Mac, a PC with Windows 10 and a NAS, the disk was seen and used correctly only via Thunderbolt 3 or, at the limit, as a USB-C disk (by changing the cable), not so important in a workflow with a recent MacBook Pro or iMac, but which becomes one in an emergency.
But beyond the warnings, when you look at the disk from the performance point of view, then what has been described so far appears in another light: G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD is really that fast, a lot to tell the truth.
Very high values, calculated by targeting a video stream in FullHD, just to compare them with the values of the other disks reviewed on macitynet
With a nominal speed of 2800MB / s given by the capacity of the internal SSD and the Thunderbolt 3 port (a highway for data), the speed achieved was around 2000MB / s in writing and 2350 MB / s in reading, very good values and that few models in the market can boast, even fewer portable drives (values obtained with 500 GB drives formatted in APFS).
These data were achieved by simulating a transfer of video data at FullHD resolution, but since this type of unit is now used for video editing or streaming at 8K, we performed a second simulation at 4K according to the almost maximum values that AJA System test proposes. in the presets obtaining values even higher in reading and in any case good in writing (close to 1000 MB / s, with a higher en peak at start-up, followed by a lowering to the value of 1000 which then remains constant), a sign that this technology is now mature and that it is really possible to make video montages or renderings from external mobile units without affecting the quality or having evident slowdowns in the workflow.
A consideration that makes the G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD the Barry Allen of disks (alter ego of the most famous Flash in the DC universe), or the Pietro Maximoff, for those who appreciate the Marvel counterpart better.
By targeting a 4K video stream, the writing values decrease but remain high, while the read values remain exceptional.
Considerations
G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD is an extremely interesting unit, which is placed in the upper part of the market and that we see for the exclusive use of professionals whose needs are high and well marked.
The characteristics of sturdiness, practicality and above all very high speed make it capable of supporting a MacBook Pro and, precisely for this reason, offer that support on the move that will not make you regret a Desktop workstation (at least in performance), even if obviously the unit has a important price and it must be accepted that it is to be used only via Thunderbolt 3.
Pro:
• Sturdy shape and suitable for extreme use • Speed and readiness make it perfect for professional use
Cons:
• Not manageable via USB-C / USB-A mixed cable
Price
• 312.90 Euros (500 GB) • 599.90 Euros (1 TB) • 1,164.90 Euros (2 TB)
G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD is available in computer chain stores, but is also found online both on the Western Digital website and on Amazon in the 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB denominations.
For readers who find prices and performances too high for more common needs, we recommend other proposals from Western Digital such as the excellent SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD, which uses a high-speed USB-C port or even the Portable SSD. SanDisk Extreme, more contained in performance but certainly cheaper.
