Adata SE880 1 TB external SSD review
It's difficult to get excited about slightly older external SSDs, but sometimes they can surprise you—the Crucial X9, for instance, certainly surprised me with its consistent performance and low price tag. Unfortunately, the SE880 is not such a pleasant surprise. It's fine for what it is, but «fine» is all, and there are better options out there.
The SE880 suffers primarily because of the existence of newer drives such as its ostensible successor, the Adata SD810, which does everything just that bit better and has a little more to offer, for only a smidge of extra cash. That's why the SD810 is the best external SSD for gaming at the time of writing, and it's why the SE880 probably isn't worth picking up while the SD810 is available at a similar price.
It's not all negative, though. The SE880 does have something to offer, even if it's pipped on the performance and value front by newer eSSDs. The main plus to this dinky little drive is its minuscule size. It's actually smaller than the tiny TeamGroup PD20, which I rate highly for its portability, though it doesn't look quite as suave, nor does it have the PD20's keychain hook.
If you're just looking for something small, though, the SE880 will serve you well. First impressions upon unboxing had me impressed by its diminutive 64.8 x 35 x 12.25 mm shell, and its brushed metal casing is rather pleasant to behold—and to hold, come to think of it.
Capacity: 500 GB / 1 TB (tested) / 2 TB / 4 TB
USB Gen: 3.2 Gen 2x2 (peak transfer 20 Gbps / 2,500 MB/s)
Rated performance: 2,000 MB/s read
Flash memory: 3D NAND
Controller: Silicon Motion SM2320
Price: $80 / £84 / AU$214
However, its plastic ends and light weight don't give me tons of confidence in its durability, unlike more premium drives such as the Samsung T9, which feel like you could pitch them at a particularly solid surface without a worry in the world (don't actually do that). Plus, the SE880 lacks the dust protection of other drives such as the SD810, which has a cap to
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