INTRODUCTION

   Largely thanks to their impressive performance numbers and small form factor it didn't take long for M.2 PCIe NVMe solid state drives (SSDs) to also enter and dominate the external storage media market. Of course, as many of you are certainly aware USB connectivity can't keep up with the data transfer rates of the high-end M.2 PCIe NVMe models so even the latest, fastest (to date that is) and rarest USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standard tops out at around 2000MB/s (20Gbps). USB 4.0 was also announced last year and since it will be based on the Thunderbolt 3.0 connectivity by Intel it will be able (at least in theory) to support speeds of up to 4000MB/s (40Gbps). Needless to say, the most common standard is USB 3.2 Gen 1 (previously USB 3.1 Gen 1) which tops at around 500MB/s (5Gbps) followed by USB 3.2 Gen 2 (previously USB 3.1 Gen 2) which tops at around 1000MB/s (10Gbps). Late last year Crucial released their X8 Portable SSD based on the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard and today it's finally with us.

   Crucial is a global brand of Micron Technology, Inc. Crucial solid state drives (SSDs) and memory (DRAM) upgrades are compatible with over 150,000 new and old desktops, laptops, workstations, and servers. Crucial Ballistix memory delivers a performance edge to gamers, enthusiasts, and power users. Available worldwide at leading retail and e-tail stores, commercial resellers, and system integrators, Crucial products enhance system performance and user productivity. Learn more at crucial.com

   The X8 (currently available in 500GB and 1TB capacities - a 2TB model should be announced in the following months) is a compact external SSD that features an enclosure made out of anodized aluminum (also helps dissipate heat coming from the M.2 SSD) complete with thick rubber pieces located on both sides (this combination renders the X8 temperature-proof, vibration-proof and shock-proof up to 7.5 feet on a carpet). Under the hood Crucial has placed their very own P1 M.2 PCIe SSD (review here) which according to them allows the X8 to reach read & write speeds of up to 1050MB/s (meaning it can push the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard to its maximum - the P1 can go of course faster but because of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance limit Crucial was able to reduce power consumption and temperatures via a new updated firmware). The X8 is also compatible with PCs, Macs, PS4s, XBOX Ones, iPad Pros, Chromebooks and select Android devices (a USB-C to USB-C cable with an USB-A adapter is also placed in the bundle) via USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and is covered by a 3 year limited warranty.