SanDisk Desk Drive: 8 TB SSD in the test – is the high price worth it?

SanDisk Desk Drive: 8 TB SSD in the test – is the high price worth it?

Finding the ideal file storage becomes increasingly challenging, especially as digital collections continue to grow and regular backups become necessary. This is where the new SanDisk Desk Drive comes into play with an astonishing 8 TB. This external SSD is designed for those who need a combination of speed and large storage space.

As stadt-bremerhaven.de reports, the Desk Drive's housing with dimensions of 99 x 99 x 40 mm offers a decent amount of space, but it does not give a particularly robust impression. The greasy surface is prone to scratches, which can be annoying when used in everyday life. To get the most out of its performance, the SSD requires a USB-C data cable as well as a dedicated power port, which can limit mobility. A shortcoming that can be traced back to the missing status LED: You cannot see whether the device is powered or not.

Performance and practical test

The SanDisk Desk Drive promises a maximum read rate of 1,000 MB/s and a write speed of 900 MB/s via USB-C (3.2 Gen 2). A practical test showed that it is capable of reaching an impressive 900 MB/s. When transferring an 80 GB movie file from an internal SSD to the external SSD, the device only took about 1.5 minutes. During testing, speeds remained constant for approximately 20 minutes before slight dips were observed. After around 30 minutes, the SSD was lukewarm, which is within an acceptable range. These details were also further discussed in a forum on computerbase.de and confirm the suitability of the drive for everyday use.

While the Desk Drive offers a lot of storage space, it also comes with challenges. Compared to portable versions from SanDisk, it does not offer any significant advantage, but at 650 euros the price is higher than the extreme portable SSD, which also has 8 TB and only costs 600 euros. In addition, the Portable SSD does not require an external power connection and is therefore more practical for on the go. This raises the question: For whom is the Desk Drive actually the right choice?

Usage in the NAS area and future outlook

In the context of data storage, it is important to consider the benefits of network attached storage (NAS) systems. According to test.de, NAS systems offer the ideal solution for data that can be stored in-house and accessed by multiple devices at the same time. They combine the benefits of cloud storage and external hard drives, without monthly subscription costs. NAS systems are an excellent addition for growing digital collections and regular PC backups.

While the Desk Drive appeals to a specific audience, the announcement of a 16TB version for 2025 is making tech lovers sit up and take notice. For now, it remains to be seen whether demand justifies this large capacity and whether the benefits still outweigh the costs. So the question remains: Is the desk drive the future of data storage or is it the more flexible solutions such as NAS systems that will shape the next generation of data storage?