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We've taken a look at four options for external solid-state drives -- specifically, large-capacity storage devices ranging from 120GB to 300GB that mount via a USB 3.0 and provide lightning-fast data transfer speeds.
Unlike traditional USB hard drives that use a spinning platter, SSDs have no moving parts, so they are more resistant to shocks and rough handling, and they are more tolerant of extreme temperatures. But the big selling point is that they are ridiculously fast. Though speeds vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and the throughput is partially determined by the host interface, most of these external SSDs use controller chips that are capable of transfer speeds between 180 MBps and 250 MBps, with more expensive models claiming around 300MBbps. Typical transfer times for the fastest mechanical (spinning) USB 3.0 hard drives are between 60 MBps and 90 MBps.
Still, spinning USB hard drives remain much cheaper, and the sky-high prices of external SSDs have kept most of us from even considering one. But now, prices have come down to earth, relatively speaking: between $150 and $500. So if those massive speed improvements sound good to you, you'll want to check out one of these lightweight external SSD drives.
All Photos: Ariel Zambelich/Wired 
