Of the advertised 2 TB, how much space is actually usable?
Less than the 2 TB shown. Commercial capacity is calculated on the basis of 1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, and the space actually available for your files is below that figure. The difference you will see in File Explorer or the Finder is therefore normal: it indicates neither a defect nor a drive that has already been used.
Do you need a particular port to actually reach 2,000 MB/s?
Yes: the interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and it is this type of port that delivers the 2,000 MB/s for both reading and writing. Speed depends on the host device, its interface and the conditions of use: on a slower port, the drive works perfectly but less quickly.
Which cables are supplied in the box?
Two cables: USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A. So you can connect it to a recent machine as well as to a computer with standard USB ports, without buying an adapter. The box also contains the safety and warranty guide.
Does it really withstand rain, dust and a drop?
Yes: the forged aluminium casing, backed by a silicone shell, resists water, dust and drops, and the carabiner lets you hook it onto a bag or a belt. After exposure to water, clean and dry it before plugging it back in.
Does the drive heat up and slow down during large transfers?
The forged aluminium casing acts as a heat sink, which lets it sustain high speeds continuously. A real advantage for offloading photo cards or copying entire video rushes without seeing the speed collapse part-way through.
Can the data be password-protected, and on which systems?
Yes: password protection is built into the drive and relies on 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not on simple software installed alongside. It is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 10 and macOS 10.9 or later.
Can it be used with a smartphone to free up space?
Yes, with a phone that has a USB Type-C port. On Android, the SanDisk Memory Zone app unlocks the drive, lets you view and back up the phone's files, and can automatically move files to the SSD to free up space.
Can it handle the heat of an outdoor shoot?
Its operating range is 0 to 45 °C, and it withstands -20 to 85 °C when not in use. So avoid working with it in full sun above 45 °C; the aluminium casing dissipates the heat produced during transfers.
Which certifications does this drive carry?
It carries the CE, FCC, RCM, BSMI, EAC, UKCA, ICES and BIS markings: the product is approved for the main international markets, including Europe (CE) and the United Kingdom (UKCA). A useful point for a business purchase or an internal compliance file.
How much does it weigh, and does it really fit in a pocket?
77.5 g for 110.3 × 57.3 × 10.2 mm: barely more than a centimetre thick, it fits in a jacket pocket or a camera bag. The carabiner lets you attach it to a backpack or a belt rather than leaving it rattling around at the bottom of a bag.
Is this SanDisk Extreme PRO new and under warranty?
Yes: a
new and genuine product, reference
SDSSDE81-2T00-G25, supplied with its invoice, which serves as the warranty document for
1 year. Full specifications are given in the
datasheet (PDF).