External SSDs are 10–20× faster than HDDs, shock-proof and compact — ideal for photo/video editing, on-the-road backup and quick storage swaps. We stock NVMe SSDs via USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbps = around 1000 MB/s) and high-end models with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps = up to 2000 MB/s) for 4K/8K video editing. Classics: Samsung T7 (1050 MB/s, compact), Samsung T9 (2000 MB/s), SanDisk Extreme Pro (2000 MB/s, IP55 water-resistant). Plug-and-play on macOS, Windows, Linux — aluminium housing, USB-C cable included. Shipped from Basel — same day by 4 pm, free above CHF 15, 2-year Swiss warranty. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay).
RPD.ch carries over 9,000 accessories for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, iPad, MacBook and more. We ship from Basel via Swiss Post (1-3 business days), accept invoice via Powerpay (with credit check) and offer 14-day returns. If nothing in this category matches your need, browse our most popular sections below or contact us - we also source specific accessories on request.
T7 = cheaper, 1050 MB/s, very small, no IP rating. Extreme Pro = pricier, up to 2000 MB/s, IP55. Office/photo archive = T7. Travel and 4K video = Extreme Pro.
Yes — iPad Pro M-series, iPad Air M2/M3 and iPad Pro 2018+ with USB-C detect external SSDs instantly in Files. ProRes 4K@60 writes straight to the SSD.
Yes — USB-C SSDs on MacBook M-series support macOS boot. Practical for recovery or test installs.
MacBook M-series only supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (about 1000 MB/s). USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SSDs cap at half. Full speed needs Windows Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt SSDs.
Recommended for photo/video pros — most SSDs offer 256-bit AES via software or hardware keypad. macOS FileVault and Windows BitLocker work too.
Question 1: which speed? Office backup, photo archive = 1000 MB/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2) is enough. 4K video editing direct from SSD, RAW photo workflow = 2000 MB/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2) pays off. Question 2: which capacity? 500 GB for travel backup, 1 TB for photo archive and one-day video production, 2–4 TB for full video projects. Question 3: how rugged? Standard SSDs handle 1.5–2 m drops, IP55/IP65 models like SanDisk Extreme Pro are dust- and water-resistant — mandatory for travel photographers and outdoor filmmakers.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) = 1000–1050 MB/s — standard on Samsung T7, Crucial X9. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) = up to 2000 MB/s — Samsung T9, SanDisk Extreme Pro. Important: the host needs the matching standard. MacBook Pro M-series only supports Thunderbolt 4 + USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) — so the T9 caps at 1000 MB/s on a MacBook. On Windows laptops with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports it hits the full 2000 MB/s. Thunderbolt 3/4 SSDs (e.g. Samsung X5) reach 2800 MB/s but cost 50 % more.
MacBook M-series: USB-C SSDs work directly on the port. External SSDs even work as a boot drive for macOS (recovery / Time Machine backup). iPad Pro/Air M-series: detects external SSDs in Files, Final Cut, LumaFusion — perfect for 4K ProRes recording straight to the SSD. iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max: can record ProRes 4K@60 to an external SSD via USB-C cable. PS5/Xbox Series: USB SSDs as expanded storage for PS4 games or cold storage — PS5 games themselves run only on the internal NVMe.
External NVMe SSDs get warm under sustained load — the compact form factor only allows passive cooling. Aluminium housings with heatsink function (Samsung T9, SanDisk Extreme Pro) prevent thermal throttling. Idle power 0.5 W, full load 3–6 W. USB bus-powered — no PSU needed. Aluminium fully recyclable — take-back via the RPD recycling programme.
Samsung T7 = cheaper, 1050 MB/s, very small, no IP rating. SanDisk Extreme Pro = pricier, up to 2000 MB/s, IP55 water- and dust-proof. For office/photo archive = T7. For travel and 4K video = Extreme Pro.
Yes — iPad Pro M-series, iPad Air M2/M3 and iPad Pro 2018+ with USB-C detect external SSDs instantly in Files. ProRes 4K@60 writes straight to the SSD.
Yes — USB-C SSDs on MacBook M-series support macOS boot. Practical for recovery, test installs or a portable macOS environment.
MacBook M-series only supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (about 1000 MB/s). USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SSDs cap at half their max. Full speed requires Windows Gen 2x2 hosts or Thunderbolt 3/4 SSDs.
Recommended for photo/video pros — most SSDs offer 256-bit AES via software or hardware keypad. macOS FileVault and Windows BitLocker work too.
Shipped from our Basel warehouse — A-Post 1–2 working days, express next business day or free pickup in Basel, Aarau or Olten. 2 years Swiss warranty on all products, 14-day returns. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay), best-price guarantee CH. Aluminium housings are fully recyclable — return old adapters, hubs and storage media via our RPD recycling programme. Visit one of our stores for personal advice — bring your laptop or iPad and we will find the right accessory together.
