SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD review: Fast, rugged, and expensive
Macworld ·
Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Good performance for pro users Slim, lightweight design Rugged, with IP65 rating Cons No support for Thunderbolt 5 Expensive (thanks to the AI apocalypse) Our Verdict The SanDisk Extreme Pro delivers fast USB4 performance in a slim, lightweight design, with IP65 protection for life on the move. Strong write speeds suit demanding video and graphics work, although tested read speeds trail SanDisk’s claims. Its high price and lack of Thunderbolt 5 limit its appeal, but professionals prioritizing portability and durability will still find plenty to like. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: SanDisk Extreme Pro V3 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide What is it? A slim, rugged portable USB4 SSD with fast performance for storing and working with large files. Who’s it for? Professionals working with large video and graphics files who need fast, durable storage that’s easy to carry. Who’s it not for? Budget-conscious buyers or professionals seeking the faster performance available from a Thunderbolt 5 SSD. SanDisk has updated its entire range of portable solid-state drives, including this third-generation update for the Extreme Pro, which, as the name suggests, is aimed at professional users who need high-end performance when working with large video and graphics files. Sadly, like most forms of memory and storage, the Extreme Pro has rocketed in price since our review of the previous version, now starting at $549.99/£489.99 for a model with 2TB storage, or a whopping $1,099.99/£980.99 with 4TB. There’s also an 8TB model planned for next year, although SanDisk hasn’t given any indication of pricing for that model. You should also be aware that older versions of the drive are still widely available online, so make sure you select the correct model before buying. Alternatively, you could save some money by buying an older version of the drive – although, of course, it won’t be quite as fast as the latest model. Design The Extreme Pro is still an attractive option for professional users looking for a USB4 SSD to use with a Mac , though, with a more compact design than its predecessor, measuring just 110mm long, 58mm wide and 10mm thick, and weighing a mere 65.2g. It’s easy to slip it into a bag or jacket pocket if you’re travelling with your laptop, and there’s a clip for a lanyard (not included) on one corner of the drive to help keep it safe. It boasts a sturdy IP65 rating for weather-resistance, and Sandisk also states that it can survive being dropped from a height of three metres. Performance Performance is good too, with Sandisk quoting read and write speeds of 4GB/s and 3.8GB/s, respectively. The drive did fall a little short on read performance in our tests, using the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, hitting around 3.5GB/s, but it outperformed on write performance, consistently reaching 4.2GB/s. The Extreme Pro will certainly be fast enough for pro users working with large video files, although it’s a shame that such an expensive drive is only using a USB4 interface, with no support for the even faster Thunderbolt 5 that is now available on several high-end Mac models. Should you buy the SanDisk Extreme Pro? The SanDisk Extreme Pro combines fast USB4 performance with a slim, lightweight design that’s easy to carry alongside your MacBook. Strong write speeds make it appealing for professionals working with large video and graphics files, while IP65 protection and claimed three-meter drop resistance add reassurance when traveling. However, read speeds fell short of SanDisk’s claims in our tests, and the lack of Thunderbolt 5 feels disappointing at this price. Starting at $549.99/£489.99 for 2TB, it’s a costly investment. It’s worth considering if portability, durability, and speed are priorities, but the steep price makes it harder to recommend without some reservations.