Abstract. I decided to test the speed of the latest technology in external SSD devices practically and compare it to previously available technologies of external USB-based backup devices. Tests are done with real-life file sets and real commercial laptops used in typical company environments.

1. Need for External USB backup in the modern business environment

The need for safe, offline backup is driven by ransomware attacks, which I actually experienced in my company. However, there are also other kinds of needs to move files between workstations, home, and office computers, and there is a need to have backup in case of system crashes or accidental deletions.

For such situations, External USB memory/disk devices are irreplaceable. I like them because I can attach them to make a backup, detach them later, and physically move them to a safe place, where they are definitely offline.

My favorite backup method is a very simple one: the usage of the FreeFileSync app (high-quality freeware) that synchronizes directories. I keep all my work files on my work laptop in one root folder and sync periodically to an External USB device.

External USB device

In compliance with company rules, I keep all my External USB devices BitLocker encrypted and secured with the password needed to access the device. There are many sensitive company and personal documents I have there, so I definitely want them safe in case memory/disk device is lost, for example during commuting to/from the office.

Over the years, technology for External USB memory/disk backup changed, always bringing greater transfer speeds. I bought some latest External SSD-s, so I wanted to test them.

2. Test scenario setup

Here are the basic testing conditions.

Here are the specs for the ports of my laptop.

FreeFileSync

Here is the folder with real-life docs that I will back up.

Folder

3. Testing External 64GB USB Flash drive

Device info

Average speed

USB

Device Information

Completed

4. Testing External 1 TB USB HDD

Device info

MBPS

External USB

General Information

Completed Successfully

5. Testing External SSD 1 TB, USB 3.2 Gen2

Device info

External

SSD

Drive Model

Progress Completed

6. Testing External SSD 2 TB, USB 3.2 Gen2x2

Device info

External 2 TB SSD

Samsung SSD

Samsung Portable

Complete Progress

7. Conclusion

So, here are actual practical speeds of backup in real-world situations.

Actual practical speeds

These values are measured in these conditions.