SanDisk Desk Drive 8 TB external SSD review

pcgamer.com:

The SanDisk Desk Drive isn't very portable compared to other external SSDs, but then again most other external SSDs aren't stable, large capacity backup solutions offering an experience usually reserved for NAS setups. This Desk Drive is, however, and it therefore stands apart from most other external SSDs.

SanDisk (ie, Western Digital) isn't going after the popular portable SSD target market with this thing. No, it's going for those who have the need for a vast array of reliable external storage on the desktop. And in this department it delivers exceptionally well.

The Desk Drive makes sense as a backup drive. This is probably why SanDisk comes with Acronis True Image backup software, which you can download by following the packaging's QR code link or the link the on-drive executable file takes you to.

In other words, for an external drive it's about as far from something like the TeamGroup PD20 as possible, being more of a «sit on the desk» drive than a portable one. It's a hefty puck that's supposed to remain on your desk, connected and powered on. I mean, it's right there in the name, isn't it? "Desk Drive."

Capacity: 4 TB / 8 TB (tested)
USB Gen: 3.2 Gen 2x1
Rated performance: 1,000 MB/s (read) / 900 MB/s (write)
Flash memory: 3D NAND
Price: $630 / £600

It comes with a hefty $630 price for the 8 TB version, but it's one hefty drive with some hefty capacity. Most external SSDs cap out at 4 TB—because really, who's using more than that for a portable drive?

The answer to this question is, as stated, those who are looking for a backup solution. And by this, I don't just mean full system backups, although that is one good use for it. I'm also talking editors and content creators who want to backup all their media and projects. And those with a ginormous game library, too, who want to keep copies of their games or even run games off their external SSD.

I probably shouldn't overstate the size and weight of the SanDisk Desk Drive, either, lest I give the impression