WD My Passport: External SSD twice as fast thanks to NVMe technology

WD My Passport SSD (2020)

The external SSD of the WD My Passport series get more speed thanks to NVMe technology. The new models deliver up to 1,050 MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen 2.Internally, PCIe and NVMe are used instead of the slower SATA interface, as it can still be found with the older WD My Passport SSDs.

The first WD My Passport SSD with NVMe technology

The new My Passport SSD comes in capacities of 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB, but will not be available in Germany for the time being with 2 TB. WD promises reliable performance and a touch of luxury. "The performance is defined by the internally installed NVMe drive and the interface, the luxury" via the metal housing. Reading up to 1,050 MB/s and writing up to 1,000 MB/s, the drive should reach via USB 3.2 Gen 2 and thus approach the practical limit of the interface. Compared to the older WD My Passport SSDsl with SATA internal and USB 3.2 Gen 1 external, this means double the performance in the best case. The WD Black P50 Game Drive with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, intended for gamers, could be faster, if the problems with the interface do not make a rope through the bill.

The new My Passport SSD is currently only available in grey

As is usual with external data carriers, no detailed information is given on the installed components. For the advertised transfer rates an internal SSD with PCIe 3.0 x2 would be sufficient. This offers about the in-house WD Blue SN500, but this provides only 500 GB of storage and the successor WD Blue SN550 is available with 1 TB but not with 2 TB.

Color variants and hardware encryption

The manufacturer advertises that the drive should withstand falls from a height of up to 1.98 metres unscathed. Compared to HDDs, SSD are less susceptible to shock and vibration. The case of the new WD My Passport SSD measures about 10 cm 5.5 cm 0.9 cm (L W H) and is available in the colors blue, gold, gray and red. Password protection for the 256-bit AES hardware encryption of the SSD can be set up via software. The connection to the computer is via the supplied USB Type-C cable, an adapter for USB Type-A is included.

Prices and availability

The new WD My Passport SSD from the year 2020 is to be available from now on at non-binding Price recommendations of around 150 Euro (500 GB) and 240 Euro (1 TB) in the color variant gray. Regarding the 2 TB model, there is no information about the market launch in Germany yet. Together with other color variants, availability is expected later in the year.