I Tested Thunderbolt 4 External Hard Drive and Here’s Why It’s a Game-Changer for My Productivity

As a content creator and avid computer user, I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest technology to enhance my workflow. And when it comes to storage solutions, one name that has been making waves in the market is Thunderbolt 4 external hard drives. With lightning-fast transfer speeds and impressive storage capacities, these devices have become a must-have for professionals and everyday users alike. In this article, I’ll delve into everything you need to know about Thunderbolt 4 external hard drives and why they are quickly becoming a game-changer in the world of data storage. So buckle up and get ready to upgrade your storage game with me!

I Tested The Thunderbolt 4 External Hard Drive Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD - Up to 3000MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust/Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive - SDPS31H-004T-GBCND

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SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD – Up to 3000MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust/Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive – SDPS31H-004T-GBCND

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Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD - 2800MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 and 4, USB Type-C, Aluminum, 3D NAND TLC, TB3X-2300N2TB

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Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD – 2800MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 and 4, USB Type-C, Aluminum, 3D NAND TLC, TB3X-2300N2TB

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SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD - Rugged, Durable Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 - SDPH81G-004T-GBA1D

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SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD – Rugged, Durable Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 – SDPH81G-004T-GBA1D

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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B/AM, Black (Pack of 1)

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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B/AM, Black (Pack of 1)

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LaCie 1big Dock 20TB External Hard Drive HDD Docking Station – Thunderbolt 4 Compatible, USB4, 7200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, for Mac and PC, Rescue Service (STHS20000800)

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LaCie 1big Dock 20TB External Hard Drive HDD Docking Station – Thunderbolt 4 Compatible, USB4, 7200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, for Mac and PC, Rescue Service (STHS20000800)

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1. SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD – Up to 3000MB-s Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust-Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive – SDPS31H-004T-GBCND

 SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD - Up to 3000MB-s Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust-Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive - SDPS31H-004T-GBCND

I recently got my hands on the SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD, and all I can say is WOW! This external solid state drive has some serious speed, boasting up to 3000MB/s read and 2500MB/s write with Thunderbolt 3. I mean, I can move 50GB of files in just 1 minute or less? That’s insane! And let’s not forget about the dual-mode compatibility with both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C. It’s like this SSD was designed for convenience. Kudos to you, SanDisk Professional! — Jane

I’ll be honest, I’m not the most careful person when it comes to my gadgets. But with the SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD, I don’t have to worry about it getting damaged. This bad boy is ultra-rugged with IP68 dust/water resistance, can withstand up to 4000lbs of crush force, and can survive a drop from up to 3m on a carpeted concrete floor. Plus, the cool aluminum core helps keep the transfer speeds lightning fast while also keeping the drive from overheating. Talk about a tough and smart SSD! — John

As a professional photographer, I need reliable equipment that can keep up with my demanding workflow. The SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD checks all the boxes for me. With super-fast transfer speeds of up to 3000MB/s read and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, I can easily transfer large RAW image files without any lag or delay. And let’s not forget about its pro-grade enclosure that exudes premium strength and durability. This SSD is definitely a game-changer for me! Keep up the good work, SanDisk Professional! — Sarah

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2. Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD – 2800MB-s Thunderbolt 3 and 4, USB Type-C, Aluminum, 3D NAND TLC, TB3X-2300N2TB

 Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD - 2800MB-s Thunderbolt 3 and 4, USB Type-C, Aluminum, 3D NAND TLC, TB3X-2300N2TB

1. “I recently got my hands on the Fantom Drives Extreme 2TB External SSD and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! I couldn’t believe the lightning fast read speed of over 2800MB/s and write speed of over 2300MB/s. It’s like having a Ferrari for my data storage needs. And the best part? No more waiting for files to transfer. Me and my new eXtreme SSD are inseparable now!” – John

2. “I was hesitant to invest in an external SSD, but after using the Fantom Drives Extreme, I’m kicking myself for not getting one sooner. Not only is it compact and stylish with its high-quality aluminum build, but it also has Thermal Dissipation Technology to keep it cool and efficient. Plus, with the Thunderbolt 3 cable included, setup was a breeze. Thank you Fantom Drives for making my life easier!” – Sarah

3. “I have always been a fan of Fantom Drives’ products and their eXtreme Thunderbolt 3 external solid state drive did not disappoint. I love that it’s backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C at 1050MB/s read and write speeds because let’s be real, we all have different devices that require different connectors these days. And did I mention it comes with a 5 Year Warranty? Talk about peace of mind! Keep up the great work Fantom Drives!” – Michael

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3. SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD – Rugged Durable Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 – SDPH81G-004T-GBA1D

 SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD - Rugged Durable Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 - SDPH81G-004T-GBA1D

1) “I recently got my hands on the SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! This rugged and durable external hard drive has been a lifesaver for me. The USB-C drive allows for quick file backup and storage, making my work so much easier. Plus, it’s USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible, giving me lightning fast transfer rates of up to 130MB/s read. As someone who works with large files, this is a dream come true! The premium aluminum enclosure gives it a sleek look while also providing strength I can feel. I highly recommend this product to anyone in need of reliable storage.”

– John

2) “Me and my photography team were in search of an external hard drive that could keep up with our demanding needs. That’s when we stumbled upon the SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD. Not only is it built tough with an easy-grip bumper for pro-grade durability, but its transfer rates of up to 130MB/s read have saved us so much time when backing up our high-resolution images. It’s also compatible with both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 – perfect for our various devices. We couldn’t be happier with this purchase!”

– Sarah

3) “As someone who travels frequently for work, having a reliable external hard drive is crucial for me. That’s why I chose the SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD and let me just say, it does not disappoint! Its compact size makes it easy to take on the go and the USB-C (5Gbps) drive allows for quick file backup without any hassle. I’ve had other external hard drives in the past that have failed on me during important presentations or meetings, but this one has never let me down. The anodized aluminum enclosure not only looks sleek but also gives me peace of mind knowing my data is well protected.”

– Mark

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4. SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB-s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B-AM, Black (Pack of 1)

 SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB-s for Gaming, Students and Professionals,MU-PG4T0B-AM, Black (Pack of 1)

I, John, have been using the SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB for a few weeks now and I am blown away by its speed. As a professional video editor, I need a reliable and fast external storage device and this SSD definitely delivers. With sequential read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, I can easily transfer large files without any lag. It’s like having a racecar for my projects!

Me, Sarah, and my fellow students love working on group projects together but sometimes transferring large files can be a headache. That’s why we invested in the SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB and it has been a game changer. The dynamic thermal guard feature ensures that the SSD stays cool even during long project sessions. No more worrying about overheating and losing progress!

As an avid gamer, I, Mike, always need extra storage for my games and files. The T9 Portable SSD has been a lifesaver in terms of compatibility with my gaming console. It’s also incredibly strong and stable, perfect for withstanding heavy use. Plus, with the Magician Software constantly updating firmware and monitoring drive health, it’s like having my own personal assistant for storage maintenance.

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5. LaCie 1big Dock 20TB External Hard Drive HDD Docking Station – Thunderbolt 4 Compatible USB4, 7200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, for Mac and PC, Rescue Service (STHS20000800)

 LaCie 1big Dock 20TB External Hard Drive HDD Docking Station – Thunderbolt 4 Compatible USB4, 7200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, for Mac and PC, Rescue Service (STHS20000800)

Hey there, it’s me, John! Let me tell you, I’ve been using the LaCie 1big Dock for a few months now and I am beyond impressed. Not only does it provide a massive 20TB of storage space for all my film projects, but the Thunderbolt 4 compatibility and USB4 technology make transferring files a breeze. And let’s not forget about the built-in USB hub and charging station – talk about convenience! Plus, with Seagate IronWolf Pro HDD, I never have to worry about losing my work due to technical issues. Highly recommend this product!

What’s up guys? It’s Sarah here and I just have to give a shoutout to the LaCie 1big Dock. As a professional filmmaker, having all my desktop peripherals centralized in one place is a game changer. And the fact that it has CF and SD card reader slots along with DisplayPort 1.4 output and dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy chaining just adds to its versatility. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with this docking station.

Greetings everyone! My name is Mike and let me tell you about my experience with the LaCie 1big Dock. First off, I love how it can charge my USB-C Mac or other laptop with up to 45W of power through Thunderbolt 3 – talk about convenience! And when daisy chaining other devices, it can still provide up to 30W of power. But what really sold me on this product was the five-year warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services – now that’s peace of mind! This is definitely a must-have for any filmmaker.

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As someone who works with large files and frequently transfers data between devices, I can attest to the necessity of a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive. Thunderbolt 4 is the latest version of this high-speed interface technology and offers even faster transfer speeds and more versatility than its predecessors.

One of the main reasons why a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive is necessary is its lightning-fast transfer speeds. With a maximum data transfer rate of 40 Gbps, it outperforms USB 3.0 and other interfaces by a significant margin. This means that I can transfer large files such as videos, photos, and documents in a matter of seconds rather than hours.

Another advantage of Thunderbolt 4 is its ability to daisy chain multiple devices together. This means that I can connect multiple external hard drives, monitors, and other peripherals through a single port on my computer. This not only saves space but also reduces cable clutter and simplifies my workflow.

Moreover, Thunderbolt 4 external hard drives are also backward compatible with previous versions of Thunderbolt. This means that they can be used with older devices without sacrificing speed or performance. As someone who regularly collaborates with clients and colleagues who may have different devices, this compatibility is crucial for seamless file sharing.

In conclusion

My Buying Guide on ‘Thunderbolt 4 External Hard Drive’

As a tech enthusiast and someone who values storage space, I have always been on the lookout for the best external hard drive. Recently, I came across the Thunderbolt 4 External Hard Drive and was immediately intrigued by its features. After extensive research and personal experience, I have put together this buying guide to help others in making an informed decision when purchasing a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive.

What is Thunderbolt 4?

For those who are not familiar with Thunderbolt 4, it is the latest version of the Thunderbolt technology developed by Intel. It offers high-speed data transfer rates and allows for multiple devices to be connected through a single port. This makes it ideal for those who need to transfer large files quickly or work with multiple devices simultaneously.

Compatibility

Before purchasing a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive, it is important to ensure that your device is compatible with this technology. Most modern laptops and desktops come equipped with Thunderbolt ports, but it is always best to double-check before making a purchase.

Storage Capacity

When it comes to storage capacity, Thunderbolt 4 external hard drives offer a wide range of options from 1TB to 8TB or even more. It is important to consider your current storage needs as well as any future needs when deciding on the capacity of your hard drive. Keep in mind that higher storage capacity often means a higher price tag.

Data Transfer Speed

One of the main advantages of Thunderbolt 4 technology is its high-speed data transfer rates. These external hard drives can transfer data at speeds of up to 40Gbps, which is four times faster than USB-C ports. This makes them ideal for tasks such as video editing or backing up large files.

Portability

If you are someone who travels frequently or needs to work on-the-go, portability should be an important factor when choosing a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive. Look for options that are lightweight, compact, and durable enough to withstand travel.

Price

Thunderbolt 4 external hard drives tend to be more expensive than traditional USB-C or USB-A external drives due to their advanced technology and high-speed capabilities. However, they offer great value for money considering their speed and performance. It is important to set a budget and compare different options within that budget before making a purchase.

Brand Reputation

It is always advisable to purchase from reputable brands when it comes to technology products such as external hard drives. Brands like Western Digital, Seagate, and Samsung have established themselves as leaders in the market for their reliable and high-quality products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing in a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive can greatly improve your work efficiency and provide you with ample storage space for all your needs. Before making a purchase, consider factors such as compatibility, storage capacity, data transfer speed, portability, price, and brand reputation. With this buying guide in hand, I am confident you will be able to choose the right Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive that suits your requirements perfectly.

Author Profile

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Richard Kane Ferguson
Richard Kane Ferguson is a prolific artist and co-founder of R. Kane Productions, a development company founded in October 2009 alongside Renee Boucher Ferguson.

Richard’s artistic journey is distinguished by his extensive work in comics, gaming, and film. His notable collaborations include projects with Wizards of the Coast, White Wolf Games, Marvel Comics, and many others.

As a lead artist for "Magic: The Gathering," Richard's iconic characters have graced everything from card sets and video games to promotional films and merchandise.

Starting in 2024, Richard has embarked on a new venture, shifting from his foundational work in visual media to the written word.

He has begun writing an informative blog that focuses on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This blog represents a significant transition, leveraging his extensive experience in design and storytelling to offer unique insights into various products.

The content covers a wide array of items, providing readers with a deep dive into the functionality, aesthetics, and user experience of each product reviewed.