Watch: Getting Started with external SSDs / storage
This video provides an in-depth look at Getting Started with external SSDs / storage. Below, we summarize the key takeaways and supplement with our own research, including cited sources (USB Implementers Forum, NIST, Microsoft), so you can verify every claim yourself. We've also included links to recommended products that align with what you'll see in the video.
Quick Answer: What should a beginner look for in an external SSD?
Buy a portable SSD rated for at least 1,050 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) — for example the Samsung T7 — and size it at 2× your current working dataset. Speed standards are set by the USB Implementers Forum: USB 3.2 Gen 2 tops out at 10 Gb/s, and Gen 2x2 at 20 Gb/s.
What is an external SSD and how is it different from a hard drive?
An external SSD stores data on NAND flash memory with no moving parts, so it survives knocks that would kill a spinning hard drive, and it reads and writes data many times faster. A portable external HDD tops out around 120–140 MB/s over USB, while mainstream portable SSDs like the Samsung T7 are rated for up to 1,050 MB/s and the T9 up to 2,000 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.
For machine-learning work, the practical difference is loading datasets and model checkpoints: a job that takes minutes from a hard drive takes seconds from a Gen 2 SSD.
Which USB speed standard do you actually need?
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) is the sweet spot for most users; Gen 2x2 (20 Gb/s) only helps if both your drive and your port support it.
| USB standard | Theoretical max | Real-world SSD speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 5 Gb/s | ~400–500 MB/s | Entry-level SSDs |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gb/s | ~900–1,050 MB/s | Samsung T7 class; best value |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 20 Gb/s | ~2,000 MB/s | Samsung T9 class; needs matching port |
Standard names and speeds are defined by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the industry body that certifies USB devices.
Why do external SSDs matter for machine learning?
ML datasets and model checkpoints are large — often tens to hundreds of gigabytes — and training pipelines stall on slow storage. An external SSD lets you keep datasets off your system drive and move multi-gigabyte files between machines in seconds instead of tens of minutes.
External SSDs also serve as fast scratch space for laptops with small internal drives, and as transport for work between desktop and GPU servers.
How do you safely erase an external SSD before selling it?
Use the manufacturer's erase tool or a full-disk encryption-then-format approach; simple quick-format does not remove data. NIST Special Publication 800-88 Revision 1, the US standard for media sanitization, treats cryptographic erase as an accepted method for flash storage and notes that repeated overwriting wears SSDs without guaranteeing full coverage due to wear-leveling (NIST SP 800-88r1, PDF).
Practical recipe: encrypt the whole drive (BitLocker/FileVault/LUKS), then reformat and hand it over. Without the key, the data is cryptographically unrecoverable.
Does an external SSD need maintenance?
Modern operating systems send TRIM commands to SSDs automatically; you shouldn't defragment flash storage. On Windows, the built-in Optimize Drives tool detects SSDs and performs a TRIM pass instead of a defrag, as documented by Microsoft's defrag command reference.
Day-to-day: keep ~10–20% of capacity free, avoid storing the drive at full load in heat, and eject before unplugging to protect in-flight writes.
Top Recommended Products
Here's our complete list of top picks, with detailed justifications:
- Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB - Up to 1,050MB/s: Reliable, fast, and compact external SSD perfect for transporting large ML datasets and model checkpoints between workstations.
- Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB - Up to 2,000MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: Ultra-fast speeds for large model files and datasets, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ensures you're not bottlenecked by transfer speeds during intensive work.
- Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB - High Capacity for Large Datasets: 2TB capacity provides ample space for extensive ML datasets while maintaining top-tier transfer speeds for efficient data handling.
- SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - IP65 Water Resistant: Rugged, water-resistant design protects valuable research data during travel, with 1,050MB/s speeds adequate for most ML workflows.
- Samsung T7 Portable SSD 4TB Massive Storage Capacity: Enormous 4TB capacity for storing complete ML project archives, datasets, and experimental models in a single portable drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important feature to look for?
The USB interface generation. A Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) drive with 1,000+ MB/s sustained speed covers backups, datasets, and boot drives; Gen 2x2 is only worth paying for if your computer has a matching 20 Gb/s port.
How much should I budget?
Expect to spend between $75 and $250 for a quality 1TB portable SSD; 2TB and 4TB models cost proportionally more. Our list includes picks at various price points.
Are cheaper external SSDs worth considering?
Some budget models offer good value, but be cautious of extremely cheap drives that may use slower QLC flash or lack DRAM caching and fail prematurely. We've included value picks that balance cost and quality.
Can I use an external SSD with any OS?
Yes, most drives ship formatted for broad compatibility, but exFAT works across Windows, macOS, and Linux — reformat to your native filesystem (NTFS/APFS/ext4) for best performance and reliability.
How long do external SSDs last?
Typical portable SSDs carry 3–5 year warranties and are rated for hundreds of terabytes written; for archival copies, keep at least one additional backup on separate media.
Should I buy used or refurbished?
Used can be risky for electronics; refurbished from certified sellers may offer savings with a warranty. We generally recommend new for peace of mind.
Further Reading
Check out these related articles on this site:
- Getting Started with Python Strings, Data Types, Expressions, Variables || Python Tutorial # 5
- Getting Started with UiPath AI Center | Part 1 | AI Center Series
- Getting started with image classification
Sources
- USB Implementers Forum, USB-IF official site — USB standard definitions and certification
- NIST, SP 800-88 Revision 1: Guidelines for Media Sanitization (PDF)
- Microsoft Learn, defrag command reference — Windows SSD TRIM behavior
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