Datamag 20 Gbps: MSI’s first external SSD with up to 4 TB is magnetic

MSI has had internal NVMe SSDs in its portfolio for two years, and now the first external SSD follows. It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 with 20 Gbit/s and should achieve transfer rates of up to 1,600 MB/s reading and 1,500 MB/s writing. The highlight: The SSD can be attached to magnetic objects using a magnet.

With 1, 2 or 4 TB and up to 1,600 MB/s

The SSD will be available with 1, 2 and 4 TB. MSI specifies 1,600/1,500 MB/s for all three capacities. The weight of the aluminum-clad SSD is 81 grams.

With the circular magnet in the base, the SSD can be anchored to magnetic surfaces; MSI focuses on its use on the iPhone Pro (Max). Notebooks are usually made of aluminum or plastic. For these systems, MSI includes a black and a silver metal ring that can be glued to the A cover, for example.

Phison controller

MSI uses the as controller Phison PS2251-U18 a. The chip enables “High-end USB flash drives“, which read data sequentially at 1,900 MB/s and write at 1,700 MB/s with a storage capacity of 4 TB. The performance specifications apply when using 3D TLC flash memory, but the 2-channel controller can also handle cheaper but slower QLC NAND.

MSI only speaks of 3D NAND in the Datamag data sheet, the exact type remains open. This also raises the question of whether the specified performance is maintained permanently or only in the so-called SLC mode.

Prices and availability

The MSI Datamag 20 Gbps will be available from specialist retailers from October. MSI will then announce prices. The manufacturer offers a 5-year guarantee on the drive.