I switched to an M.2 PCIe enclosure for data storage, and it quickly improved my workflow
A $200 accessory transforms NVMe SSDs into a blazing-fast external drive with near-instant file access.
ZDNET's Cesar Cadenas reviewed the HyperDrive Next USB4 M.2 PCIe enclosure, highlighting its ability to unlock the full potential of NVMe SSDs as high-performance external storage. The $200 accessory, which requires a computer with a Thunderbolt 4 port, is designed for professionals who regularly manage large files, effectively turning a standard SSD into an ultra-fast external drive. In testing with a 4TB Samsung 9100 Pro NVMe M.2 SSD connected to an Acer Swift Edge 14 laptop, the setup delivered exceptional real-world performance for data transfer and access.
The benchmark results using CrystalDiskMark showed read speeds of approximately 4,000 MB/s and write speeds around 1,300 MB/s, making file access feel instantaneous. Beyond raw speed, the enclosure features effective heat management and a durable design, ensuring stable performance during extended use. This tool is particularly impactful for workflows involving large media files, data science projects, or machine learning accelerators, offering a portable and powerful storage solution that can dramatically reduce transfer and load times compared to traditional external drives.
- Achieved ~4,000 MB/s read and ~1,300 MB/s write speeds with a Samsung 9100 Pro SSD
- Requires a Thunderbolt 4 port and costs $200 for the HyperDrive Next enclosure
- Designed for professionals to manage large files with near-instantaneous access
Why It Matters
Drastically cuts file transfer and load times for data-heavy professional work like video editing and ML.