SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-4T00-G25

Q: how much faster is this than an external HDD?

With an SSD over HDD, you're obviously paying for the increase in speed. Nobody actually answered your question of "how much faster." Even though it's been over a year now, maybe it will help someone else. A typical portable HDD speed seems to be about 120 Mbps, whereas this drive claims 1,050 MBps read and 1,000 write. So about 8 or 9 times faster. Also, it is pretty fast relative to other portable SSDs. 1 GBps seems to be about the standard right now for drives in this price range. The T7 quotes the same speed, from what I can tell. Definitely not "3-4x" faster. The X5 quotes twice the speed (at twice the price).

Q: How to get the full 1000 mb/s? only getting about 800 mb/s write and 700 mb/s read. plugged directly into a macbook air m1 (2020). blackmagic test

The numbers quoted are for the raw data rate - how fast the drive can accept bits. You will never see this in real life. Some factors affecting real-world performance include: * File system overhead. Your file system (whether FAT, NTFS, HFS, APFS, ext or anything else) has overhead. This overhad consumes bandwidth, but you won't see it in a benchmark that only measures the data used by your files. * Your testing application may not be getting enough CPU cycles or USB bandwidth to be able to push data at the device's maximum speed. Testing labs use a computer with a specialized operating system that can ensure sufficient bandwidth, but an app running on a normal operating system can't make such a guarantee.

Q: It's not showing up on my ntfs for mac but is in finder. also keeps asking me to authenticate in order to do anything with it?

Ntsf is a windows format. A Mac will not write to it natively. You will need to get 3rd party software like Paragon or another to fully work with a ntsf formatted hard drive on a Mac. Format it to apfs if it is only going to be used on a Mac or buy ntfs for Mac software if you need to go back and forth.

Q: Can I use this as an additional storage *continuously* connected to my mac? any overuse or overheat issues?

Since my poor MacBook Pro 2016 has gotten slower because I refuse to update the OS (because I know what would happen), I started using my 2TB 1050mbps SSD Sandisc external drive for my heavy video editing and music production projects and it flies without any problem. I would say though that it is true that at some point it gets quite hot but nothing’s affected it’s performance. My advise is just connect it when you need it and that’s it. I love this little friend!!

Product ID: 308891857

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Details

Digital Storage Capacity
4 TB
Hard Disk Interface
USB 3.2
Connectivity Technology
USB
Brand
SanDisk
Special Feature
Hardware
Hard Disk Description
Solid State

⚡Up to 1050MB/s read speed

💧IP65 water & dust resistance

🛡️3-meter drop protection

Description

🚀 Store Fast, Secure More, Adventure Anywhere!

RUGGED READY - Built tough with IP65 water and dust resistance plus 3-meter drop protection—your data’s adventure-proof companion.
BLAZING NV ME SPEEDS - Experience lightning-fast 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds that keep up with your creative flow.
SECURE YOUR SECRETS - 256-bit AES hardware encryption ensures your private files stay private, no compromises.
CARRY WITH CONFIDENCE - Integrated carabiner loop lets you clip and go—perfect for the on-the-move professional.
SMART STORAGE MANAGEMENT - SanDisk Memory Zone app automates file management and space optimization, so you focus on what matters.

The SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD delivers ultra-fast NVMe performance with up to 1050MB/s read speeds and 1000MB/s write speeds. Engineered for durability, it features IP65 water and dust resistance and 3-meter drop protection, making it ideal for professionals on the go. With 256-bit AES hardware encryption and a handy carabiner loop, it combines security, portability, and ruggedness in a sleek, compact design.

Specifications

Hard Drive	4 TB Solid State Drive
Brand	SanDisk
Series	SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Item model number	SDSSDE61-4T00-G25
Hardware Platform	Mac, PC
Item Weight	1.76 ounces
Product Dimensions	0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH	0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches
Color	Black
Flash Memory Size	4
Hard Drive Interface	USB 3.2
Voltage	1 Volts
Batteries	1 12V batteries required.
Manufacturer	Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
Language	English
ASIN	B08RX4QKXS
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Date First Available	January 2, 2021