ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720 128GB External SSD Review

From USB flash drives to solid-state drives, ADATA is worldly renown for their memory products. They routinely produce innovative products and this October ADATA released the DashDrive Elite SE720 external solid state drive, which is not only innovative, but stunning!  The DashDrive is sleek, practically weightless, and has the performance potential to embarrass an external hard disk drive!

DESIGN

ADATA has produced the best looking external SSD, and external storage device. The DashDrive is enclosed in a gorgeous stainless steel exterior, which is also scratch resistant.

On top of being one of the best looking external storage devices, the DashDrive is also extremely thin at only 8.9 mm, and weighs only 110 grams. The DashDrive also features a small LED near the bottom of the device which will flash “blue” when the drive is in use.

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

The DashDrive SE720 external SSD is only available in one capacity of 128GB, and it was noticed that the drive only had 119GB available due to firmware, formatting and additional ADATA software that is included.  A quick look at the ‘Benefits of Solid State Drives‘ over hard disk drives, shows that SSD’s have significantly faster speed transfers, have no moving parts, produce no noise or heat and use very little power. This makes an external SSD almost an ideal option in comparison with an HDD, of course keeping in mind that the capacity options for External SSD’s are not as vast as External HDD’s.

In the box you will find the DashDrive itself, a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed cable, a carrying pouch, as well as the always convenient Quick-Start guide.

ADATA has incorporated USB 3.0, which with “SuperSpeed” is capable of reaching speeds of 5 Gbits per second, the equivalent theoretically of up to 640MB/s. This is dramatically faster than the previous USB 2.0, which could only reach speeds of up to 480 Mbits per second (60MB/s).

In short, USB 3.0 is faster than USB 2.0. It will allow you to move your files from your computer to the external device much quicker. It is important to note that in order to utilize USB 3.0, both the device and your computer must be equipped with this technology. You can recognize USB 3.0 in your computer by checking for the standard blue coloured USB ports, and possibly a “SS” symbol beside it to signify the port is equipped with the SuperSpeed technology. If your computer is not equipped with SuperSpeed USB 3.0, than we recommend you take a look at our review of the HighPoint RocketU 1144C 4 x USB 3.0 20Gb/s HBA. This small device allows for you to expand your peripheral potential with 4 USB 3.0 ports enabled for SuperSpeed performance.

If you are interested in learning more about USB 3.0 as compared to USB 2.0, we encourage you to read a report put together on Tom’s Hardware, which breaks down the details involved when comparing the two technologies.

The DashDrive features a convenient “One Touch Backup” button, which will back up your files automatically with a simple press. All that is required is to install ADATA’s Sync software, which comes pre-loaded onto the DashDrive. You simply select the files you wish to backup using the sync software, and press the button. It is also possible to select automatic backups and keep the DashDrive attached continuously, this is just an example of how ADATA gives you piece of mind that your data is protected.

You can also download additional software from the ADATA Website that will compliment the DashDrive, such as HDD-to-Go, and OS-to-GO. The DashDrive is also enabled for Windows-to-Go, which allows for Windows 8 Enterprise users to boot from the DashDrive. ADATA has also included 3 years of manufactures warranty for the DashDrive.