Here is our review of the Lexar SL500 Portable SSD.
Featuring an ultra-thin, rugged aluminum unibody construction that fits in the palm of your hand, the Lexar SL500 Portable SSD delivers exceptional read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,800 MB/s, maximizing efficiency.
The SL500 portable SSD is available in 1TB, 2TB and soon 4TB capacities. It is compatible with a wide range of devices, including laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5 and mobile devices. Specifically, it supports Apple Log video recording in ProRes 4K 60FPS format on the iPhone 15 Pro (and Max).
Thanks to Silicon Motion’s single-chip portable SSD controller solution, the SL500 portable SSD offers better performance while consuming less power. In addition, it comes with Lexar DataShield AES 256-bit encryption software to secure files.
Features
● 2000 MB/s read and 1800 MB/s write to transfer files quickly and work more efficiently (performance on Mac and other systems not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 may be lower).
● Slim, stylish and durable metal design that fits easily in a pocket.
● Supports Apple Pro Res recording, allowing you to shoot directly to the player in 4K 60FPS with iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
● Compatible with iPhone 15 series, mobile devices, laptops, cameras, game consoles, etc.
● Type-C data cable for plug-and-play convenience.
● Includes Lexar DataShield™ AES 256-bit encryption software to protect files
What’s in the Box?
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The SL500 is both very small, it’s 4.3mm thick, and lightweight, weighing only 43g, it’s very easy to slip it into your pocket and forget it’s even there.
Connecting it to a device was simple, just use the included USB-C cable. You can connect it to a computer, a camera, a gaming console, whatever you want, as long as it used USB-C. It even supports Apple Pro Res recording up to 4K 60FPS from an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max.
Performance wise, the SL500 is really fast! Supporting read speeds up to 2000 MB/s and write speeds up to 1800 MB/s (using a device that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2), it’s very fast. Even if you don’t have a device that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, it’s still really fast!
If you want or need to protect the contents of the SL500, then Lexar have provided a copy of their DataShield software on the drive. This software will allow you to create a private safe and simply drag-and-drop your valuable files inside. Access to your safe is protected by a personal password and your files are automatically encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption. The drive includes versions for both Windows and Mac.
One thing I have noticed with some portable drives is that they can get very hot when in constant use, this isn’t the case with the SL500. The design is such that it ensures low temperatures even during high speed operations.
The Lexar SL500 Portable SSD is available now priced around £109.99 for the 1TB version and is a must have if you need a small, portable, fast and protected drive.
