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Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD Review: A ‘Budget’ High-End Drive

by admin September 12, 2025

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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Lexar needs no introduction. The previous-gen NM790 changed the landscape for capacious, budget SSDs when it came out at 4TB with an affordable price. The company also has other great memory products, but arguably the NM790 put them on the map in the PC storage space. We didn’t like the NM800 Pro quite as much, as it really wasn’t a budget drive, and the controller had issues in the long run. Now it has a successor: the NM1090 Pro, also available at that tasty 4TB point. Is this another winner, or will this drive end up forgotten?

We’re happy Lexar went for 4TB out of the gate on this one, and that’s the capacity we’re reviewing today. However, the drive is pretty well-priced at 2TB, too, and we can recommend either capacity. This drive has DRAM, unlike the NM790, following in the footsteps of the NM800 Pro. However, given the other high-end drives released recently, the NM1090 Pro has one foot on the budget side of the line. It uses older flash and is priced competitively, which works in its favor. This is not the only drive in this category – the Acer Predator GM9000 has the same hardware – and more competition is due from performance DRAM-less drives like the Biwin Black Opal X570, too.

This means you have to shop around. The NM1090 Pro, in our opinion, makes the most sense as a secondary drive at higher capacities. It’s not really the best option for laptops, and there are certainly faster drives out there. If your system has two or more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, though, this could be a roaring games drive that saves you some money without any real deficiencies for that type of usage. It also drops the drawbacks of high power consumption, including at idle, and poor power efficiency that early PCIe 5.0 drives had.

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD at Amazon for $359.79

Lexar NM1090 Pro Specifications

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Product

1TB

2TB

4TB

Pricing

$139.99

$199.99

$379.99

Form Factor

M.2 2280 (Double-sided)

Interface / Protocol

PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0

Controller

SMI SM2508

DRAM

LPDDR4x

Flash Memory

Micron 232-Layer TLC

Sequential Read

14,000 MB/s

Sequential Write

10,000 MB/s

13,000 MB/s

Random Read

1,650K IOPS

2,100K IOPS

Random Write

1,800K IOPS

1,700K IOPS

Security

N/A

Endurance (TBW)

700TB

1,400TB

2,800TB

Part Number

LNM109P001T-RNNNU

LNM109P002T-RNNNU

LNM109P004T-RNNNU

Warranty

5-Year

Today’s best Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD deals

The Lexar NM1090 Pro is available at 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB with current prices at $139.99, $199.99, and $379.99. This makes the 4TB the best deal and that is what we’re reviewing today. Peak performance can be hit at 2TB, though, with sequential reads and writes up to 14,000 / 13,000 MB/s and IOPS up to 2,100K / 1,800K for random reads and writes. Lexar offers a standard 5-year warranty with 700TB of writes per TB of capacity, which is more than the typical 600TB, but not a significant enough difference to be meaningful.

If the NM1090 Pro is to succeed, it needs to be priced right, and at the time of review, it mostly is. It offers a discount over the most common new high-end Gen 5 drives, such as the Crucial T710 and the WD_Black SN8100 from SanDisk, and the only drive that really comes close to it is the Samsung 9100 Pro. It’s bound to outperform the slower Phison E26-based drives, like the Crucial T700, and it’s also more efficient than the faster ones like the Crucial T705. This makes it an interesting “budget” high-end drive at 2TB and 4TB, possibly offering a second-drive solution for enthusiasts

Lexar NM1090 Pro Software and Accessories

Lexar has two downloads available for the NM1090 Pro: Lexar DiskMaster and Lexar DataShield. DiskMaster is your standard SSD toolbox application with S.M.A.R.T. disk health information, performance testing, diagnostics, firmware upgrades, a secure erase function, and data transfer functionality. This is pretty standard stuff but it’s nice to have convenient downloads. For alternatives we recommend CrystalDiskInfo for health tracking and MultiDrive for Windows-based cloning or imaging, or Clonezilla for a bootable imaging solution.

Lexar NM1090 Pro: A Closer Look

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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

We regret to inform you that the Lexar NM1090 Pro is not single-sided, although that’s not as big a deal these days. Especially for high-end drives like this. Using more NAND flash packages means fewer dies stacked per package, which can be easier to manufacture. Signal integrity and timing can become issues with large die stacks, which are often alleviated by using specialized chips within the packages. Typically, the maximum is 16 dies per package (16DP), although 8 dies (8DP/ODP) is much more common. The possibility of stacking up to 32 (32DP) does exist, but is not something we’ve seen yet in consumer drives. The NM1090 Pro is using 1Tb TLC flash drives so, at 4TB, requires 8 dies per package.

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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The NM1090 Pro uses the excellent SMI SM2508 controller. For more technical details, please refer to our original preview. It’s an eight-channel controller with 4 chip enable signals per channel, which means it should handle up to 8TB of flash without a problem and up to 16TB with 2Tb dies. It does have DRAM, which in this case is Foresee LPDDR4x. Using this type of DRAM can reduce power consumption.

The flash appears to be 232-Layer TLC from Micron, which is a generation behind at this point. This flash was used to good effect on the popular Crucial T705 and Crucial T500. Micron has since gone up to 276 layers with an iterative improvement, which, with this same SM2508 controller, has proven to be very power-efficient on the Crucial T710. We’ve seen this controller with older flash on the Acer Predator GM9000 as well, and the result was a drive that falls somewhere between the original Phison E26 and newer, higher-end controllers and flash, including the Phison E28 with BiCS8 TLC. The NM1090 Pro should perform similarly to the Acer, but the capacity change mixes things up a bit and is worth careful consideration if you’re looking for the largest drive possible.

MORE: Best SSDs

MORE: Best External SSDs

MORE: Best SSD for the Steam Deck

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD: Price Comparison

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September 12, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD review: Bigger, badder, and better

by admin September 10, 2025

Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In response to Phison’s early and near-total dominance of the high-end PCIe 5.0 SSD market, Samsung came, saw, and…well, tried to put up a good fight with its 9100 Pro. Samsung did a lot of the same things right that it had with the 990 Pro, which was itself a fitting successor to the popular 980 Pro, by producing a fast, efficient, and consistent drive. Only one thing was missing: a high-capacity 8TB SKU designed not only to answer the Black SN850X but to take back the initiative while using the newest flagship hardware.

Samsung is no pushover. Its high-quality flash has great random read latency, something everyone desires, and the company knows how to produce a drive that, at the very least, holds its own in every other metric. The 9100 Pro isn’t the fastest drive, but it is more efficient than any of the high-end SSDs that came before it, and it performed well enough to stay in the fight. It was perhaps a little late to the party, but it has been competitive, especially with Samsung’s aggressive pricing, and we’ve only recently reviewed drives that truly improve upon it.

The shifting situation has forced Samsung to adapt in ways it didn’t have to back in the PCIe 3.0 days. For one, Samsung has priced the 9100 Pro more aggressively as we just suggested above. This works in its favor due to its superior brand recognition, even if there is some dilution. The name still sells, but perhaps not as well as it did in the past, which is why the discount is necessary. Samsung has had various issues with the 980 Pro, 990 Pro, and other drives in recent years, and this has tarnished the brand. Secondly, Samsung has begun to emphasize capacity more, with the 4TB 990 Pro release being an excellent example. Samsung introduced a new flash generation with that release – that flash is now used on the smaller SKUs as well – and released the best 4TB drive we had tested to date. It’s still our recommended PCIe 4.0 drive. So far, so good.

The problem with the 9100 Pro was, in part, that we had already tasted the Micron 4600. We knew that the upcoming SMI SM2508 controller could do amazing things, and the later-arriving Sandisk WD_Black SN8100 proved that even more strongly by coupling the controller with BiCS8 TLC flash and optimized firmware. WD, prior to this, had also released the 8TB WD Black SN850X, which claimed the throne as the best high-capacity drive on the market. The 9100 Pro needed a boost, and Samsung decided it was ready to take a step it might not have taken in the past by releasing the 8TB version of the drive. It was even willing to take the risk of releasing a double-sided monster of a drive, and that is the beast we have before us today.

Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD at Samsung for $999.99

Samsung 9100 Pro Specifications

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Product

1TB

2TB

4TB

8TB

Pricing (Bare)

Heatsink

$129.99

$139.99

$199.99

$219.99

$399.99

$419.99

$999.99

$1019.99

Form Factor

M.2 2280

Interface / Protocol

PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0

Controller

Samsung Proprietary (Presto)

DRAM

LPDDR4X

Flash Memory

236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8)

Sequential Read

14,700 MB/s

14,800 MB/s

Sequential Write

13,300 MB/s

13,400 MB/s

Random Read

1,850K

2,200K

Random Write

2,600K

Security

TCG Opal 2.0

Dimensions Bare

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 2.38 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 3.88 (H) mm

Dimensions w/HS

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 8.88 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 11.25 (H) mm

Endurance (TBW)

600TB

1,200TB

2,400TB

4,800TB

Part Number

MZ-VAP1T0

MZ-VAP2T0

MZ-VAP4T0

MZ-VAP8T0

Warranty

5-Year

Today’s best Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD deals

Samsung always planned an 8TB SKU for the 9100 Pro, which is why we had the specifications already outlined in our original review. Performance at 8TB peaks at up to 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s for sequential reads and writes, with the ability to handle up to 2,200K / 2,600K random read and write IOPS. The warranty remains at five years with up to 600TB of writes per TB of capacity, and the drive still supports encryption. The only thing we didn’t know before was the price, and Samsung has now put the MSRP at $999.99 for the base drive with another $20 for the heatsink. This level of pricing requires some discussion of its own.

Our table has revised and current pricing for the smaller SKUs, which, unsurprisingly, show much lower prices than the MSRPs from our original review. In the introduction, we discussed how Samsung had to be more aggressive with pricing, given the 9100 Pro’s market position, and this is reflected in the relatively large price swings. While the MSRP on the 8TB SKU may seem high, it’s actually reasonable given the original pricing. Even with the new pricing, it’s only 25% higher per TB than the 2TB and 4TB SKUs, which isn’t a ridiculous premium when you consider there isn’t a competing high-end PCIe 5.0 drive at 8TB right now, and Samsung had to make a double-sided drive with dense flash packages just to make this work.

Does that justify the MSRP? The presence of the 8TB WD Black SN850X, which has been priced very effectively, makes this a harder sell. Yes, you have Gen 5 bandwidth with the 9100 Pro, but you could almost buy two SN850Xs at its price if you consider the lowest sale price we’ve seen for the latter. In our opinion, the 8TB 9100 Pro can command this level of MSRP given Samsung’s name and the fact that the competition is still pushing 8TB back on their roadmaps. We also think Samsung can and will discount this to some extent. So if you’re the type of person who wants the very best right now, you can probably manage the launch pricing. If not, some patience will likely pay off. Otherwise, we still recommend the SN850X, which is a no-brainer at 8TB as far as we’re concerned.

Samsung 9100 Pro Software and Accessories

Samsung continues to offer a download for its Magician software, an all-in-one SSD toolbox that remains the industry gold standard. WD’s Dashboard is also quite good, but not everyone cares about having an SSD toolbox. This type of application is handy for checking drive health and system information, S.M.A.R.T. readings, and more.

Diagnostics and benchmarking are often included, and a toolbox is essential for getting firmware updates or engaging/disengaging drive features. Finally, the best toolboxes – and Magician falls into this category – offer imaging and backup options for your storage. There are free alternatives for this, but this is one of those rare cases where we think the manufacturer’s software gets the job done.

Samsung 9100 Pro: A Closer Look

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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The 8TB 9100 Pro is a double-sided drive with four NAND flash packages. Samsung is forced to go double-sided for this SKU, as the controller and LPDDR4X DRAM occupy considerable real estate. The 236-Layer V8 TLC flash being used is manufactured in dense, 1 TB dies. This means there are sixteen dies per 2TB package, which is an incredible amount of flash to stack. Technically, thirty-two die stacks are now possible, but the yields are poor, and such die density is in high demand for enterprise applications. Samsung has, for quite some time, only delivered single-sided drives, so this departure emphasizes just how strong its desire is to be the first to 8TB.

Sixteen die packages (16DP) have long been the realistic maximum in the consumer space, but it’s much more typical to see eight or octal die packages (8DP) even for high-capacity drives. This is because it is challenging to achieve high yields and maintain acceptable signal integrity with sixteen dies, especially at the higher bus and I/O rates required for the very fastest drives. Samsung uses custom F-Chips inside the flash packages for retiming and control, but we’ve seen external multiplexors used by Crucial in the 4TB T500 and 2TB P510 to help with signal integrity. Depending on the solution, different costs are added as a drawback to reach high capacities with newer, faster flash, so the price premium for this drive is warranted in at least this respect.

The drive being double-sided does mean that some devices will have trouble fitting it, but we don’t think this is necessarily a big deal. The 9100 Pro is a high-end PCIe 5.0 drive, which has limited application in a laptop and other mobile devices, most of which still rock PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. It will probably work fine in that reduced state, and besides, the 990 EVO Plus and its OEM counterpart already fill that role quite well.

We often say that double-sided drives can be trickier to effectively cool, but Samsung has understood the assignment: the 8TB 9100 Pro’s heatsink is designed for double-sided application, given its increased dimensions. We would recommend this high-capacity drive for desktop use, and the heatsink is an easy $20 addition. If you’re already dropping nearly $999 for the drive, a $20 upcharge is trivial.

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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

For more detailed and technical explanations of this controller and flash we recommend reading our original 9100 Pro and 4TB 990 Pro reviews, respectively. To provide a succinct analysis, Samsung’s Presto controller on paper overwhelms the early-adopter Phison E26, but faces stronger challenges from the newer Phison E28 and SMI SM2508. These newer controllers are more efficient and can achieve higher performance levels. That said, we remain a fan of Samsung’s complex but polished controller technology as it is highly consistent and mature. Problems that arose with the last generation of drives do remain in the minds of many, however, so perhaps some caution is warranted.

As for the flash, we remain positive about the 236-Layer V8 TLC from Samsung. It was a compromise of somewhat higher random read latency from the last generation in return for benefits in throughput and improved yields. It’s still high-quality flash that is, frankly, the way to go if you seek the highest endurance – overlooking the unfortunate issues with older flash and firmware on the 980 and 990 Pros. We think Samsung has learned from these setbacks and applied the lessons not only to the 9100 Pro but to the 8TB SKU in particular. The internal strategy appears to be to return to form in any way possible.

MORE: Best SSDs

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MORE: Best SSD for the Steam Deck

Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD: Price Comparison

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September 10, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Lenovo Clears Out Its 4.8-Star Copilot AI Laptop (40GB RAM, 1TB SSD) at 73% Off, You Could Buy Several for the Price of One

by admin September 10, 2025

If you’re out there looking for a solid laptop that can handle basic, everyday tasks, then Lenovo is a manufacturer worth consideration. Maybe you’re a college student in need of something to build out documents and slideshow presentations for your classes. Maybe you’re a small business owner in need of something to, err, build out documents and slideshow presentations for your clients. Web browsing, email drafting, YouTube video watching. You know, computer stuff! Well, take a look at the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3. Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 73% off. It’s listed at $2,999 but after the discount, the price comes to just $800. That’s a savings of $2,200.

Okay, but let’s hold our horses for just a moment. A $2,200 discount on a $2,299 laptop? Sounds too good to be true. So yeah, if we take a look at this items price history, we’ll see this listing has only existed on Amazon since the beginning of August. After about two weeks it dropped to the price it’s at now. It briefly went back up when September hit, but now it’s back down to $800.

See at Amazon

When we take a look at the specs on offer here, you can tell this is not a three thousand dollar machine. Lenovo’s own website has various builds of the IdeaPad Slim 3 in this $600 to $800 range. This listing is trying to trick you into thinking you’re saving a lot more than you are. And that’s a shame because these specs at this price point is a pretty good deal in its own right.

Deep Dive

What we have here is a 15.3-inch laptop capable of displaying in 1920 by 1200 HD. The anti-glare non-touch display has 300nits of brightness and a refresh rate of 60Hz. With DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, you can display on two additional monitors (three displays total including the laptop screen).

It’s got a built-in webcam that can record in 720p HD with a shutter so you can maintain privacy when not in use. For added connectivity, you have two USB-A ports and one USB-C port to transfer data or charge your other devices. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are also supported.

The real story is its RAM and storage. It’s working with 40GB of memory and an SSD containing a full 1TB of storage space. Great for backing up photos and working with large file types like 4K video.

All and all, this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a worthwhile laptop. At $2,999? Heck no. But at $800? Not bad.

See at Amazon

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September 10, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD Hits Clearance-Level Pricing Following New Launch Event

by admin September 6, 2025

You can never have too much storage space. If you’re someone who works with huge files such as a photographer or video editor, you don’t have to be told twice. When a good external drive goes on sale, it’s hard to pass it up. Well, that’s exactly what this is. The Samsung T7 Shield is available at Amazon with three different storage capacities — all off which are discounted by as much as $125. Right now, the 1TB model is down 19% from $135 to just $110, the 2TB model is down 35% from $230 to $150, and the 4TB model is down from $405 to $280.

Creators were front of mind when Samsung developed this external solid state drive. It doesn’t matter if you are a photographer in need to backing up your pictures, a video editor managing a ton of projects and footage, or anyone else dealing with big files all day long — the T7 Shield can keep up with you. This SSD has fast read and write speeds. You’re getting up to 1,050 MB/s read speeds and up to 1,000 MB/s write speeds. That clocks in two times faster than the T5 from Samsung. It also happens to be nearly 10 times faster than an HDD would be. This means you’ll be able to move files between your work station and external drive quickly and easily.

See at Amazon

For the videographers out there, the Samsung T7 Shield is an especially useful tool for your toolkit. This model lets you record in 4K at 60fps directly onto the drive, using a camera, smartphone, or tablet. It’s even compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro. No need to anxiously delete stuff from your camera roll before you can get the shot.

You have a choice of three different colors with the T7 Shield—pick between either black, beige, or blue. What I love about this is if you need to get multiple, just grab them in different colors. This way at a glance, you’ll quickly be able to remember which one is for what.

Ruggedly Reliable

As the name states, this is the Shield model of Samsung’s T7 SSD. It’s designed with a strong, rubberized exterior wrapped around a solid aluminum body. It’s got an IP65 rating, making it both water and dust resistant and it can even withstand a fall of 9.8 feet. Your data is well protected.

Right now, Amazon has the 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB models of the Samsung T7 Shield on sale for as much as 35% off. Grab one before they go back up.

See at Amazon

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

Dell Inspiron 15 3535 Touchscreen Laptop Computer For Business Student

Game Updates

Dell’s 15.6″ Laptop (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Is $2,200 Off With Accessories, Making It an Almost Free Bundle

by admin September 4, 2025

Nothing grabs consumer eyeballs like a bundle deal. But who could possibly avert their eyes when Amazon takes an elite-level touchscreen laptop like the Dell Inspiron 15 3535 and bundles it with Windows 11 Pro and a box of goodies including a stylus pen, camera privacy cover, and USB flash drive, and offers that $3,000 package for just $800?

The Dell Inspiron 15 3535 alone at that price is a steal, especially when you see how loaded this model is. It’s packed with 32GB of RAM and a fat 1TB solid-state drive, with the AMD Ryzen 7 processor at the heart of the machine to make everything run fast and smoothly. The bundle add-ons of usually sold-separately necessities like pre-installed Windows 11 Pro with Copilot, a protective sleeve, and 128GB USB flash drive are the clincher that make this deal truly amazing.

See at Amazon

No Shortcuts Taken

We know, bundle deals are often just the sweetener to sell an iffy product that doesn’t move units on its own. This is most definitely not that. The Dell Inspiron 15 3535 is a total beast, with a 15.6-inch touchscreen that’s also LED-backlit and full-HD (1920×1080 resolution) with a refresh rate of 60Hz. The screen takes up nearly all of the inside lid thanks to the slender borders. The AMD Ryzen 7 processor can really cook, with speeds of up to 4.5GHz at the ready.

The Dell Inspiron 15 3535 isn’t one of those thick, heavy old-school laptops that are a chiropractor’s nightmare when carried in a shoulder bag. It’s sleek and trim at just three-quarters of an inch thick with the lid closed, and the 3.6 pound weight isn’t going to drag you down. The anti-glare screen, HD webcam, and generous array of ports and connection options complete the package.

Meet Your Copilot

This bundle deal also does not skimp on the operating system, as Windows 11 Pro is preloaded and just a press of the power button away from launch. Pro is designed for business professionals and power users, packed with advanced security network management features. It also comes with Copilot, one of the very best of the huge recent wave of AI assistants. Copilot is a great source for quick, accurate research, and if you’re ever stuck on writing the perfect email or any other creative effort, Copilot is one of the best assistants around.

This incredible bundle is topped off with an accessories kit that includes a stylus pen (remember, the Inspiron is a touchscreen), privacy cover for the webcam, 128GB USB flash drive, laptop dust plug, protective sleeve, and microfiber cleaning cloth. These are all of the little incidentals that can run up a shockingly big bill as add-ons, and they’re free. Amazon’s $800 deal on this massively packed bundle is a killer 73%-off deal that brings you an elite-level laptop, OS, and accessory package at a savings of $2,200.

See at Amazon

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September 4, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD Practically Costs Nothing, the 2TB Model Works Out Cheaper Than Buying Two 1TBs

by admin September 1, 2025

In need of expanding your PC storage space? Samsung is here to help with a series of SSDs at various capacities all on sale for Labor Day. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus with 1TB of space has been chopped down by 38% which brings it from $105 to just $65 — saving you $40. If 1TB isn’t enough for you, the 2TB SSD dropped 32% from $177 to just $120 — saving $57. Still not enough? Alright, alright. Well you can boost your storage space up to 4TB. This highest capacity model of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is discounted 27% from $328 to only $240. That’s a savings of $88. Game file sizes just continue going up and up so you can set yourself up for a long while with four full terabytes.

This PC-ready SSD can keep up with all your gaming needs with its super fast read and write speeds. It can handle read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s with writes speeds of up to 6,300 MB/s. Not just great for gamers, but if you’re someone who does any kind of high-end computing with heavy-duty workstations. Anyone working with tons of video or photo editing or is just trying to play Destiny 2 can benefit from these fast load times and vast storage space.

See at Amazon

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD has a focus on high performance without sacrificing efficiency. You have the support for PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 to thank for that. This support leads to higher data processing and more bandwidth, all while consuming fare less power.

Not PlayStation 5 Compatible

Now you should note that this SSD does not include a heatsink built-in. You know, the tiny metal casing that’s designed to dissipate heat from the unit. Critically, that means you will be unable to install this in your PlayStation 5 to expand that consoles miniscule starting capacity. If you’re looking to pop it in your PC. you have nothing to worry about. Also, even though it’s not equipped with a heatsink, the SSD still utilized some smart thermal control. You’ll be able to really push your system without worrying about overheating the PC on account of the finely-tuned controller from Samsung. It should mean that you’ll avoid any sort of sudden drop in performance.

You can also stay on top of your SSD, keeping it up to date with the latest software and firmware updates easily. The free Magician Software can continually monitor the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD’s health and push updates to it periodically.

Right now, you can get the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD for as low as $65 through Labor Day.

See at Amazon

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

No, a Windows update probably didn’t brick your SSD

by admin August 30, 2025

For the last week or two, reports have been circulating that recent Windows 11 updates (specifically KB5063878 and KB5062660) were causing some SSDs using Phison controllers to fail. Tech influencers on YouTube and TikTok were quick to jump on the reports of corrupted data and disappearing drives, laying the blame squarely at Microsoft’s feet. We’re not saying any company is above lying to the public, and Microsoft has a history of rocky update rollouts, but both Microsoft and Phison claim they’ve been unable to recreate the issue.

Phison said it was made aware of reports that the Windows update was causing drives to fail on August 18th and began investigating the issue. Then it issued a statement on August 27th saying that after running over 2,200 test cycles totaling more than 4,500 hours it was, “unable to reproduce the reported issue, and no partners or customers have reported that the issue affected their drives at this time.”

Microsoft followed up just a few days later by saying that, “After thorough investigation, Microsoft has found no connection between the August 2025 Windows security update and the types of hard drive failures reported on social media.”

This isn’t terribly surprising since the reports were fairly limited. A Japanese user on Twitter appears to be the first to suggest the Windows update was bricking SSDs and there were some in the comments claiming that they had experienced similar issues. But, there was little evidence to suggest it was widespread and it’s entirely possible that this is a localized problem related to a bad batch of drives. So it seems there’s little reason to believe the August 2025 Windows security update is going to fry your hard drive, no matter what some dude on TikTok says.

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August 30, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Forget Crucial or WD, This Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB SSD Costs Peanuts on Amazon

by admin August 29, 2025

This Samsung internal SSD is a trusted and reliable option.

The internal SSD market doesn’t have a ton of options if you want a powerful drive, but Samsung is definitely leading the race right now. If you’re looking for a 2TB SSD that offers serious speed at a reasonable price point, Samsung’s 990 EVO Plus just dropped to an all-time low price on Amazon at only $119, down from $176. That’s a crazy good deal compared to similar drives from Crucial or WD_Black that go for $129 to $189 right now. Plus, it’s getting rave reviews with a solid 4.8 out of 5 stars, so it’s definitely worth a look.

See at Amazon

Insane Speed

This Samsung 990 EVO Plus has a PCIe Gen 4×4 interface and features read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s. What does that do for you? Quick game loading, quick file transfer, and apps in a flash, cutting down on waiting time big time. It’s an M.2 2280 size, basically saying it will be compatible with nearly any new laptop or desktop available. Samsung also uses something called HMB Technology which allows the drive to manage its memory smoothly.

The drive also has Intelligent Turbowrite 2.0 which boosts write speeds when you most need them. That’s a nice little kick when you’re copying data or moving files around, so the whole system feels nippier as time goes on while the drive smartly learns about how you use it. This’s not necessarily about raw speed: it’s about keeping your system responsive and efficient. And let’s be honest, Samsung’s all about quality, so this SSD is well-ventilated and won’t drain your battery even if you’re using it hard.

Worried about how long it will last? This SSD is built to endure. It includes a high Total Bytes Written (TBW) rating, which is just geek speak for “it can write a whole lot of data throughout its lifetime,” so you can game, work or store a gazillion files without fear. Samsung also offers great software utilities that let you keep tabs on your drive’s health and optimize its performance easily.

At this cost and with Samsung’s impeccable track record, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB SSD is a deal that won’t leave you disappointed.

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August 29, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

MSI Datamag portable SSD review

by admin August 29, 2025

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MSI Datamag: 30-second review

The MSI Datamag is a rare portable SSD that combines real-world speed with a genuinely useful design twist. The 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface keeps transfers moving fast and in testing the drive very comfortably met and exceeded its rated read and write speeds.

It’s quick to launch projects, back up big shoots and handle transfer tasks without fuss and is a notable step above 10Gbps rivals that top out under 1,000MB/s.

The standout feature is the magnetic mount. Snap it to an iPhone or any MagSafe-compatible case or use the included stick-on rings to park it on laptops, rigs or consoles. Cable management is easy thanks to the included short and long USB-C leads plus a USB-C to USB-A adapter for older gear.

The compact square shell uses aluminum as a heat spreader and the finned edges help the drive stay cool in sustained work. In extended stress runs I saw consistent throughput and no throttling.

Two quick caveats: you need a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port for full speed and there’s no stated IP rating, so treat it as a tough metal portable drive rather than a truly ruggedized model.

The MSI Datamag uses a metal shell and connects via USB-C, though includes an adapter to USB-A (Image credit: Future)

MSI Datamag (1TB SSD) at Newegg for $105.44

Price and availability vary by region but it generally compares well for the performance on offer – especially considering the five-year warranty that adds some extra peace of mind.

If you want a compact fast drive that mounts neatly on a phone or workstation without extra fuss, the Datamag is an easy pick for everyday use. You can pay more for flagship USB4 drives that are a shade quicker or spend less on 10Gbps options but few match the overall blend of speed, thermals and magnetic attachment convenience.

MSI Datamag: Pricing and availability

How much does it cost? 2TB: $160 / £160 / AU$269
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in most major markets including the US, UK and Australia

The MSI Datamag 20Gbps isn’t always stocked at all retailers, so start with your local MSI website and its Where to Buy page or check your country’s authorized retail partners for current options.

It’s generally easier to find in Australia and the UK while US availability varies by capacity and retailer.

In the MagSafe-friendly portable SSD niche there are only a few direct rivals and among 20Gbps-class drives the Datamag is competitive, but some almost as fast models do undercut it on price.

The MSI Datamag uses a tough aluminum shell (Image credit: Future)

MSI Datamag: Specs

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Model No.

S78-440Q870-P83

Controller

Phison PS2251-U18

Capacities

1TB / 2TB / 4TB

Capacity tested

2TB

Tested sequential performance (Read/Write)

1642 / 1514 MB/s

Connection

USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) on USB-C

IP Rating

None

Dimensions

66 x 66 x 13 mm (W x H x D)

Weight

81g

Power source

USB-bus power

Warranty

5-year limited warranty

MSI Datamag: Design

MagSafe compatible
USB-C with USB-A adapter
Aluminum heatsink

The Datamag looks and feels purpose-built rather than being just another generic plastic-wrapped portable SSD. MSI uses a compact square footprint with trimmed corners and a radial brushed top that keeps fingerprints in check and gives the logo a low-key finish.

The aluminum enclosure doubles as a heat spreader and the ribbed edge detailing is more than cosmetic, helping the drive shed heat during long writes. It’s a tidy pocketable shape that doesn’t snag cables in a bag and the single USB-C port sits flush so it’s easy to pack.

The headline design trick is the magnetic mounting system. On an iPhone or any MagSafe compatabile phone (and that now includes the Pixel 10 thanks to Pixelsnap) it snaps on securely and for non-magnetic surfaces MSI includes two stick-on metal rings in black and white. That makes the Datamag handy on varied rigs, claptops, consoles and other devices since you can park it exactly where you want it and keep the cable strain-free.

MSI also bundles both long and short USB-C cables plus a USB-C to USB-A adapter, so you can go access it on older devices, or just have a bit of versatility when you run out of ports. The lanyard loop in the corner is a small but smart touch for tethering for extra security.

At 66 x 66 x 13mm (2.60 x 2.60 x 0.51 inches) and 81g (0.179lb), the Datamag carries a reassuring heft without feeling bulky. The square puck format spreads weight across a phone well, so it stays put during handheld shooting and the rounded edges keep it comfortable against a palm.

There’s no stated IP rating, so treat it as a solid metal portable rather than a true rugged drive. Overall the design is simple, durable and very practical.

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The MSI Datamag comes with two stick-on magnetic rings for attaching it to any surface. (Image credit: Future)The MSI Datamag is MagSafe compatible so can be attached to device like iPhones(Image credit: Future)

MSI Datamag: Performance

Great performance
No throttling

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Rated sequential read

1600 MB/s

Rated sequential write

1500 MB/s

ATTO peak read

1660 MB/s

ATTO peak write

1860 MB/s

Sustained read in Windows

1642 MB/s

Sustained write in Windows

1514 MB/s

Thermal throttling in 30-minute read/write test

None

Aside from magnetic wizardry, performance is the Datamag’s calling card and the 20Gbps USB interface and Phison PS2251-U18 controller deliver impressive throughput.

In the ATTO benchmark I saw peaks of 1,660MB/s reads and 1,860MB/s writes, while sustained transfers in Windows managed 1,642MB/s read and 1,514MB/s write. That’s comfortably above the rated 1,600 / 1,500MB/s and well ahead of 10Gbps rivals like the SanDisk Extreme and Samsung T7 that top out near 1,000MB/s. In comparison, higher-tier 20Gbps options such as the SanDisk Extreme Pro can read a touch faster at around 1,900MB/s and of course USB4 drives are even faster.

The aluminum body with finned edges helped keep temps in check and I saw no throttling in a 30-minute mixed read and write run. For large media copies, camera offloads and scratch disk use the Datamag feels snappy and dependable under load.

MSI Datamag: Final verdict

MSI’s Datamag is a portable SSD that feels ready for real-world workloads. It’s fast in everyday tasks, doesn’t slow down on long transfers and stays cool thanks to the metal shell.

The square pocketable design is easy to carry every day and the magnetic mount and included rings make it quick to attach to a phone or other equipment.

Pricing is decent for the class and the five-year warranty is a great bonus. If you want speed with a smart attachment system, the Datamag delivers dependable 20Gbps performance in a compact easy-to-mount package.

Should I buy the MSI Datamag?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Value

Well priced considering the features

4.5 / 5

Design

Sturdy metal build with magnetic attachment

4 / 5

Performance

Excellent read / write speeds with no throttling

4.5 / 5

Overall

A very unique and handy drive with performance to match

4.5 / 5

The MSI Datamag has chunky fins in the aluminum shell to aid cooling (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

For more options, we’ve tested out the fastest external SSDs you can get right now.

MSI Datamag: Price Comparison

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August 29, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

This Lenovo Laptop (12GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Office 365) Is 85% Off, Amazon Clears Inventory for Summer’s End

by admin August 26, 2025

With Amazon’s Back to School discounts currently in full swing, there’s one notebook that looks almost too good to be true: the 2025 Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″ with a solid mid-range spec (12GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel Celeron N4500, Office 365 for one year, Windows 11 Home) for a record low price. Amazon is likely clearing out old inventory, likely without making a single penny in profit, and that makes you the beneficiary of a deal that’s too great to pass up.

This computer usually costs around $2,400 but today Amazon reduced its price to as low as $349: That’s an 85% discount, and you’ll be saving around two thousand dollars on a brand-new computer. You’re spending less than most individuals spend on a smartphone at this price point, but you’re receiving a full Windows computer bundled with a one-year subscription of Microsoft Office 365.

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Great Student Laptop

Specs do matter, even in a budget-friendly machine, and this Lenovo is far from stripped down: It’s powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor. Although it’s not for serious gaming, it’s perfectly suited to day-to-day productivity tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets and streaming television shows. The inclusion of 12GB of DDR4 RAM is a difference-maker: multitasking is so much more responsive than the 4GB or 8GB of memory you typically find in this price category.

A fast 512GB PCIe SSD gives you speed and space which means Windows boots in a flash, programs load in a flash and still having space for a large collection of school work, work documents, or entertainment media. In addition to the SSD, there’s also a secondary 128GB eMMC that gives you additional space to work with light files or backups.

The 15.6-inch HD display features anti-glare coating so your eyes don’t get as tired during extended study sessions. Paired with Dolby Audio dual speakers, you’ll enjoy more immersion when streaming or Zoom calls. You even receive a built-in HD 720p camera with a privacy shutter which is surprisingly rare on laptops in this price range.

Connectivity is also a plus point: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, an SD card reader, and an audio combo jack are all present and give you all the ports you’ll need to have accessories and external storage easily attached. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are integrated within so wireless speed and dependability are on tap for both online classes and easy Netflix streaming.

Discounts this intense rarely stick, and since Amazon is clearly liquidating excess stock, make sure you don’t miss it.

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August 26, 2025 0 comments