If you want to add an external SSD drive with a custom case for your computer, there are many alternatives: there are cases for SATA drives and for some time also for PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs, the preferred solid state memories in configurations also Gamers' desktops and creative PCs and in some cases non-Apple laptops.
Unfortunately, as many of our readers know, the new Macs do not have removable fixed memory as it is soldered directly on the motherboard.
The characteristics of a case for SSD
But the cases for SSDs also have other characteristics and one of these is the connection speed: as we explained in our guide on USB 3.1 generation 1 and 2, the latter is the one that allows the fastest transfer of data reaching a speed of 10 GBPs which is double the 5 GBPs of basic USB 3.1.
Finally, the third feature: the type of connector that on this inateck case is directly a USB-Type C and in the package two 30 cm cables are provided for all needs, a Type-C / Type-C and a Type-C / USB standard type 3.0 allowing connection with any type of recent computer from 2000 to today.
The packaging and aesthetics
We have said about the equipment of the cables and the socket on board, in reality we have not told you about how this Inateck case is made and what else is in the package. In the fairly anonymous box we find, in addition to the two cables already mentioned, the real case in solid aluminum divided with a separate cover, a small screwdriver, 6 small black screws (of 5 necessary – thanks Inateck!), And a series of adhesive elements that serve in order to: function as crescents / rubber feet to prevent the metal from crawling on the desk and not to slide it, a spacer and finally a sort of “bread” of conductive paste that will directly transmit the heat of the SSD NVMe M.2 to the metal of the case that will take care of dissipating it.
SSD installation
As mentioned we used a beautiful and powerful WD Black SSD among the most loved by those who want to customize gaming CPUs. The cut is actually not gigantic in this era of 4K video archives from 60 FPS or even 8K but knowing that the performance of the memory unit is still superior to that of the interface in question, we did not want to experiment with larger cuts to take advantage. the disk almost full for video editing and swapping files large enough for Photoshop.
The installation is a matter of a few minutes and the biggest time to devote is to extract the devices from the packages: after this, insert the SSD into the slot of the case, screw the central screw, remove the disks that hide the screws in the support half-moons, remove the protection from the dissipating paste and glue it to the bottom of the protective cover.
The 4 screws are fixed and then the half-moons are glued. The disc is ready for use in less time than it took us to describe the procedure. Now we just have to choose which cable to use to connect it to our Mac or PC or, even to the iPad Pro.
Our WD NVMe M.2 drive is lightning fast but also has an interesting feature: it is directly manageable from an iPad Pro without the need for external power! We would not advise you to use it for a long time without connecting it to a Hub powered in this configuration but you know that you can use it for a very fast transfer of a large amount of data even directly from the iPad Pro. We have displayed a 4K 60 fps movie of over an hour without jams whatsoever! We also remind you that the latest versions of video applications for iPad allow you to directly edit files on external memories.
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt?
Obviously the choice for those who want the maximum possible speed and work with video streams with recent machines absolutely goes to Thunderbolt 2 which even in version 2 has a theoretical transfer speed of double compared to USB-C 3.1 gen 2 a and quadruple in the case of Thunderbolt 3. The problem is that many users have to transfer files from a lot of computers with different operating systems and interfaces and a case like this, combined with a good internal SSD, has the flexibility to work with everyone and, moreover, be upgradeable as the memory mass will drop in price. Tested with Macs and PCs of various generations and also with iPad Pro.
At work
Speed: if we have to rely on our impressions and not on numbers we must say that even for those like us who are used to normal USB-C disks even with Sata disks, the transfer of large files takes place with amazing speeds … obvious as mentioned above that Thunderbolt 3 and even 2 are more efficient but the difference with USB 3.1 gen 1 catches the eye especially with an internal SSD of this level (capable of supporting 3 times the reading speed of the interface itself) and above all in reading.
For those who want to base themselves on benchmark metrics, here is the classic system we use to measure all hard drives. The results are excellent at the level (if not better) of external SSDs that are on the market with excellent write performance and amazing read performance. The test was performed on an 8th generation MacBook Pro i7.
The WD Black's nameplate performance speaks of a transfer speed of 3,470 MB / sec which is overabundant compared to the USB 3.1 gen 2 interface and you can also choose drives with lower performance (but higher than the transfer speed of the case) and lower price .
As for the “real life” tests we can say that a 7.5 GB folder with 700, 800 MB 4K movies is transferred from the computer to the disk in 14 seconds and in the other direction in 8 seconds and a 55 GB folder (with 22,000 photos) in 2 minutes and 7 seconds to the external disk and 1 minute and 54 seconds.
The dissipation: compared to the very first models of cases of this type, the Inateck experience is felt and thanks to the dissipation of the very solid case there are no problems of overheating or, even worse, of freeze during transfers of huge files. Never had a single problem with any PC, Mac or tablet we connected it to.
The convenience of transport: the disc is not very light and we recommend that you dangle it with its 30 cm cable from your laptop: its weight and the half-moons at the base on the contrary make it very stable and difficult to move by mistake and this for those who looking for a reliable external memory during long editing operations is definitely a plus.
Conclusions
A very solid case capable of supporting high transfer speeds, with a reliable and versatile behavior enough to work well with iPad Pro without additional power supplies. The USB socket on the chassis allows you to use alternative connections with longer cables and to change cables in case the weather takes its effect. Absolutely to be recommended to those who want to create by themselves a Drive with the most versatile interface on the market and with the fastest disks available today.
Pro
Compact and versatile in connections, does not heat up, detachable cable, excellent performance, usable with a lot of NVMe M.2 SSDs of various sizes, performance and price with decreasing SSD costs
Cons
It's definitely not a featherweight.
Retail price
The Inateck SSD NVMe M.2 case with USB 3.1 gen 2 is on sale on Amazon normally for 49.99 Euros and is currently 20% off at 40 Euros with a special coupon. Cyberlayman managed to get an even more advantageous coupon with a 30% discount: Enter the code 7C9DHQVF at the time of purchase, valid until December 15th.
The 250 GB WD BLACK SSD costs, on offer 53.99 Euros VAT Included.
