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Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD (Black, 1050MB/s) $192.95 + Delivery ($0 to Metro/ NSW C&C/ $20 off with mVIP) @ Mwave

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Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD (Black, 1050MB/s) $192.95 + Delivery ($0 to Metro/ NSW C&C/ $20 off with mVIP) @ Mwave
Go to Deal
guidedlight on 12/10/2025 - 11:36 mwave.com.au (2332 clicks)
Last edited 13/10/2025 - 11:26 by 1 other user

This deal is seriously good. Not quite an ATL (you have to go back to 2023 for that, but close enough), and this one is AU stock.

Surcharges: 0% bank transfer, BPAY, Afterpay, 1% for credit/debit card & Zip.

I tried to get Officeworks to price beat. However was unsuccessful because the stock status is "Available at Supplier (24-48 dispatch)". They would however price beat Digidirect which brings it to $209, still an excellent deal if you want in your hands today.

Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield, 2TB, Black, USB3.2, Type-C, R/W(Max) 1,050MB/s, IP65 Water & Dust Resistance, Drop Resistant Case

Computing 2TB Portable SSD Samsung

Related Stores

Mwave Australia
Mwave Australia

Comments

  • FireRunner on 12/10/2025 - 11:48
    +2

    Is the MWave acquisition complete? Is there still a risk products won't be delivered?

    • bjdchwr on 12/10/2025 - 12:11
      +5

      Ordered twice and got refunded twice.
      Their price is great; however, I had an unavailable ETA both times.

      Their refund was processed okay and fairly quick.

    • Agret on 12/10/2025 - 12:42
      +1

      Ordered some stuff last week and it was dispatched on Friday.

    • netsurfer on 12/10/2025 - 14:34
      +3

      I don't trust their "Available at Supplier". It really should be Maybe Available at Supplier.
      My most recent order, the items were actually not available at the supplier. Despite notifying them to cancel the order through their Web site, they kept ignoring it. I called them and the staff just tried to attempt to have me buy another product instead.

    • Pub Squash on 12/10/2025 - 20:44
      +1

      Bought and received a CPU from them all fine this week

  • gembel on 12/10/2025 - 11:53
    +5

    If you spend $200 you can use the $20 off code

  • OBH on 12/10/2025 - 11:55
    +3

    Could add a small item to get it cheaper. Website says $20 off when spending $200+ with CODECHELLA20

  • ozbs25 on 12/10/2025 - 11:55
    +1

    As much as I'd like to buy this, there does seem to be a tiny bit of doubt with the whole thing. The price is very very good, (maybe even too good) and they don't even have stock. I've bought from them quite a few times and never had issues but things are a bit different now as I understand it.

    If you are going to risk it, I would try to buy something that is $8 and see if you can use the code CODECHELLA20. I'm not at home so I can't confirm that it works.

    • guidedlight on 12/10/2025 - 12:01
      +1

      I had the same suspicion. I ended up going with Officework's price match of $209, which is historically still an excellent deal and avoids the whole MWave/Digidirect thing.

      Amazon currently have this for $217.50 as a Big Prime Deal, but it has a mid-November delivery date which suggests there might be a supply issue with AU stock.

      • McMaferMur on 12/10/2025 - 13:06

        Amazon has 5% off payto offer

    • hashtagbargain on 12/10/2025 - 15:50
      +2

      Con confirm it works. Combined with a small usb drive and the $20 coupon worked.

      Thanks for the deal OP and to @OBH for the code.

  • PainToad on 12/10/2025 - 12:02
    +4

    Warning. Known issue with USB disconnects due to loose port on these.

    • SeanConnery on 12/10/2025 - 12:14

      Not just these ones. My non-shield 1TB T7 has the same issue.

    • belongsinforums on 12/10/2025 - 12:46
      +4

      God i thought it was user error this whole time

    • the1doood on 12/10/2025 - 15:50

      Any way to fix or better not to even bother?

      • PainToad on 12/10/2025 - 17:48
        +2

        Only fix I've seen is using rubber bands to hold the USB cable in.

        When I was looking for a drive I ended up just buying a NVMe drive and case and DIY'd it.

        • the1doood on 12/10/2025 - 18:12
          +1

          Can you please share the drive and case you chose?

        • Westpac on 12/10/2025 - 22:39

          What drive and case?

  • savemonies on 12/10/2025 - 12:10

    Thanks , just ordered one and a Belkin 60w PPS charger; with 20$ off code- total of 218.01 with shipping.

  • hambogan on 12/10/2025 - 12:32
    +9

    Thanks OP, was able to get JB to price match and applied the perks $10 voucher, $182.95 picked up from the store

    • McMaferMur on 12/10/2025 - 13:02

      Damn i should have saved the perk

      • mmcs on 12/10/2025 - 19:09

        I can share you some 😁

    • StealSeeker on 13/10/2025 - 10:23

      Hi mate, did you price match in store or chat? They didnt price match for me as they couldnt verify the supplier

      • hambogan on 13/10/2025 - 10:34

        Online chat

      • McMaferMur on 13/10/2025 - 10:37

        someone else managed to match in store, other got rejected online so probably keep trying different agent

  • McMaferMur on 12/10/2025 - 12:43

    @guidedlight
    Your 2023 atl link is not right

  • McMaferMur on 12/10/2025 - 13:01

    Hmm currently use 10 years old 500gb mechanical hdd to do backup (2nd backup) ….. should i….

    • eggboi on 12/10/2025 - 13:03
      +2

      If you value your time, yes.

  • Kyriasa on 12/10/2025 - 13:25

    JB refused price match via phone and chat. Guess the $20 coupon when spending $200 makes this a better deal. Bought some $5 items

    • overthinking on 13/10/2025 - 11:06

      Weird. Bad luck. JB just price matched via chat for me - down to 182.95 with perks voucher.

  • pn09 on 12/10/2025 - 13:33

    I got a 4TB version of this in 2023 and it has been rock solid - no disconnects, no issues.

    Just be aware the rubber attracts lint/fluff - but that doesn't affect how it functions.

    I also got a case from Amazon which keeps it snug and the cables inside.

    • buckerooni on 13/10/2025 - 08:25

      also, my dog chewed off the rubber coating so now one of mine is just bare metal. still works all good 5 stars.

  • paloverde88 on 12/10/2025 - 15:24

    Sigh not 5 TB @199

  • Nillionaire on 12/10/2025 - 16:13
    -6

    lol imagine backing up anything important to a samsung ssd

    • the1doood on 12/10/2025 - 16:31

      Are they they bad?

      • Nillionaire on 12/10/2025 - 21:43
        -1

        as of this reply, I have seven neg votes and it will continue to rise, so they not deemed bad at all by the ozbargain community who value price above all even to store their most precious content so you're welcome to get one

        just remember this moment when something goes wrong for you and samsung support is of no help and a refund or replacement won't restore your losses, I warned everyone so ;)

        • the1doood on 12/10/2025 - 22:06

          Can you please share your experience? I have seen some in reddit as well.

  • ayoole on 12/10/2025 - 18:05
    +7

    A word of warning about Samsung T7 drives which I learned recently the hard way. They use a fast cache to improve write performance, but if you're moving a lot of data, particularly requiring sustained data rates, you can get performance and/or corruption issues. Once the fast cache is full, the drive will perform much more slowly.

    I was recently using a T7 4TB drive for recording a multi-camera podcast live, connected via USB3 direct to a Blackmaguc ATEM video switcher. I got multiple data speed warnings from the mixer, and then ultimately the entire drive corrupted and was unrecoverable. I lost hours of work, and the podcast had to be completely redone from scratch. (Man, I was popular that day!)

    I've since found out that Blackmagic have removed the T7 drive from their approved SSD list. T5s, on the other hand, are fine.

    So if you work in video, are considering this for security recording etc, or just move a lot of data frequently, I'd avoid the T7.

    • guidedlight on 12/10/2025 - 18:14

      Interesting, I brought this for video work. I hope I won’t have any issues with it.

      Unfortunately T5’s are becoming quite rare.

    • netsurfer on 12/10/2025 - 21:23
      +7

      This is T7 Shield, different to T7. T7 is known to have a small dynamic SLC cache.

      Tom's Hardware sustained write test on T7 Shield

      For video editing work, yes avoid T7, but T7 Shield is a good choice in terms of sustained write. It's confusing and most people would normally think T7 Shield only just has a more rugged casing. The reality is T7 Shield has a much better NVMe SSD inside.

    • Gar on 12/10/2025 - 21:28

      @Ayoole thanks for the heads up. Was it a T7 Shield or just a T7?

      • ayoole on 13/10/2025 - 09:01

        I experienced the issue with a T7 Shield 4TB.

    • tmonkey on 12/10/2025 - 22:12
      +2

      I think you need to rethink your workflow if one failed drive can kill the whole project. I've used the 4TB T7 shields on multipleTV productions - 40 drives in rotation backing up to 10TB a day x 6 day weeks x 4 weeks and have never missed a beat.

      • ayoole on 13/10/2025 - 09:09

        As you can imagine, I have introduced a number of redundancies since the issue to prevent a similar occurrence, including ISO recording in cameras, and recording the switched program to dual Ninja SSD recorders.

        I've used T7 shields for years also, just for general data wrangling, but not specifically for recording direct from a switcher. The ATEM is writing 4 video streams and additional audio streams to the drive constantly, and that's where the T7s fall down - they don't have the sustained write speed to do the job reliably. I've used various other SSDs, including Samsung T5s and Crucial drives, without a problem. It's all over Blackmagic's forums, and is why Blackmagic dropped the T7 drives off their supported devices list.

  • Zerko on 12/10/2025 - 18:49
    +1

    Wasn't planning to buy, but was at JB and figured I'd get it if they matched. Was no problem and applied Perks as well.

  • Mild October on 12/10/2025 - 20:50

    Awww 4TB is so expensive. Nearly tripled compared to 2TB

  • congo on 12/10/2025 - 21:29

    this one is 4TB:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/925799
    Just add an enclosure?

  • ozizoy on 12/10/2025 - 21:45

    Thanks op ordered

  • PixelMango on 12/10/2025 - 22:13

    Just putting this out there another option would be to go with something like the TEAMGROUP MP44L paired with an external enclosure.

    It’s about 15% more expensive (around $220), but roughly 5x faster, and you can easily swap drives in and out.

    You could also start with the 1TB version and upgrade later for about $130.

    And before anyone says, “I don’t want to mess around with that,”.

    Dude, you literally just open the case, pop the drive in, and plug it into your computer like a USB stick.

    Opening the packaging is the hardest part.

    Also mine has been going strong for four years now.

    • netsurfer on 12/10/2025 - 22:50
      +1

      Um… that's not true if the enclosure is USB 3.2 gen 2 (10Gbps). A USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure is limited to PCIe gen 3 x2. Even if you put a PCIe gen 4 x4 SSD in it, it is still limited to 10Gbps (1,200 MBps) and has to run in PCIe gen 3 x2 mode.

      There is no way you get 5,000 MBps with MP44L through a USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure. You can run CrystalDiskMark if you want. Furthermore, MP44L foldback write penalty is large, it drops to 250MBps (so if you keep on writing to that SSD - i.e. keep filling it non stop until it is full), you will encounter foldback write penalty. T7 Shield's foldback write penalty is not as bad. As for getting MP44L 1TB, it is best to avoid that because even if you use it as an internal SSD in a PC, the max sequential write performance is 50% of the 2TB version and is inferior to a flagship PCIe gen 3 x4 SSD. The only reason you would get the 1TB version is if you can get it for $65 or less. Get the 2TB version.

      Another thing is T7 Shield firmware can be upgraded (branded external SSDs can do firmware update). El cheap DIY enclosures can't. You have to take the SSD out, put it into a PC and upgrade the SSD firmware.

      Lately, you can get cheap enclosures from AliExpress for $6-$7. However, there is chipset lottery and they do cheap out on the USB3 cable. Anyway, for DIY USB 3.2 gen 2 external SSD, if you ended up paying more than T7 Shield for 2TB, you are doing it wrong. It should be cheaper.

      • PixelMango on 12/10/2025 - 23:54
        +1

        You can just tell when someone has read a single spec sheet and thinks they understand real-world performance. Let's break down why that entire argument is fundamentally flawed.

        A USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure is limited to 10Gbps… There is no way you get 5,000 MBps

        Of course you can't. It's also limited to 12Mbps if you plug it into a USB 1.0 port.

        What's your point? Arguing that a fast drive is limited by a slow port is like saying a Ferrari is useless because it can only go 60 km/h in a school zone.

        The real conversation is about the future.

        USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are already here.

        Even if buy a 3.2 USB enclosure, you can drop that same fast SSD into a new $40 enclosure in a year and get 40Gbps speeds. The T7 Shield? It's a permanent, 10Gbps e-waste paperweight. You bought a disposable appliance, not a flexible tool.

        Besides the reading/writing speed of usb gen 2 is 2000mbps

        Quick fact-check, because this is a common mix-up:

        USB 3.2 Gen 2 (what the T7 and most enclosures use) is 10Gbps (~1,050 MB/s).

        USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is 20Gbps (~2,000 MB/s).

        T7 Shield's foldback write penalty is not as bad.

        This is the most incorrect part of the entire argument.

        Yes, the T7 hits its peak 1,050 MB/s speed… for a brief, glorious moment.

        Then its tiny SLC cache fills up and it nosedives to 300-450 MB/s on sustained writes and even slower.

        You mentioned the MP44L's "penalty" as if you stopped reading the review halfway through. Let's look at the actual tests from outlets like TechPowerUp: After its massive cache is full, the 1TB MP44L sustains writes at over 1700 MB/s then drops to 300 MB/s once it's nearly full. The 2TB version sustains over 1,700 MB/s.

        Let's be crystal clear: The MP44L, even at its "slowest," is still 2-3x faster than the T7 Shield on large file transfers and is fast enough to almost completely saturate the 10Gbps USB connection. The T7 isn't even in the same league. Don't believe me?

        You Run CrystalDiskMark if you want. Test a 50GB file write and watch what happens.

        El cheap DIY enclosures can't… you can get cheap enclosures from AliExpress for $6-$7.

        This is a classic strawman. Nobody is telling you to buy a $7 mystery box from AliExpress.

        For USB 3.2 we're talking about spending $30 on a quality Ugreen, Sabrent, or Orico enclosure with a proven Realtek chipset.

        For USB 4.0 you're looking more at $40, but on tmall you can get them for $16-$25.

        Stop comparing a quality DIY build to the worst possible option to make your point seem valid.

        T7 Shield firmware can be upgraded

        And? Are you doing regular firmware upgrades on your USB thumb drives, too?

        This is a solution in search of a problem. In the rare event an SSD needs a critical update, the "hassle" of putting it in a PC for 5 minutes is a tiny price to pay for the massive benefits of modularity, repairability, and having a vastly superior drive.

        All your points are null and void. The choice is simple:

        Option A: The T7 Shield. A locked-down black box with a mediocre, unknown SSD inside that becomes obsolete the moment you buy it.

        Option B: A DIY Build. A flexible, repairable, and future-proof system with a demonstrably faster and higher-quality SSD that you can upgrade or repurpose for years to come.

        It's not even a close call.

        Stop trying to defend the T7 since you have buyers remorse.

        • netsurfer on 14/10/2025 - 01:03

          You need to stop assuming T7 = T7 Shield. T7 Shield isn't as bad as you think.

          Tom's Hardware sustained write test on T7 Shield.

          You want to talk about USB 3.2 gen 2x2, let's talk about that. The following is the benchmark deal for USB 3.2 gen 2x2:

          PNY ELITE X USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 4TB Portable SSD $199 + Shipping @ JW Computers

          4TB and roughly the same price as this T7 Shield. Do you see me + vote this T7 Shield deal?

          USB4 enclosure on older Thunderbolt 4/3 PC without firmware patch, you will run into situation where that enclosure only operates in USB 3.2 gen 2 (10Gbps mode).

          TEAMGROUP MP44L lacks sustained write performance if put in USB 3.2 gen 2x2 and I already mentioned the foldback write penalty.

          NM790 1TB / USB4 enclosure on Mac M1 Pro I posted on OZB back in 2024. Compare to it in m.2 as internal NVMe SSD

          T7 Shield is fine in USB 3.2 gen 2 because its native write speed is ~900MB/s. MP44L doesn't have enough spare cells so its sustained write does dip (when it has to do foldback write). PS5 Pro only support USB 3.2 gen 2 and XBox Series X only supports USB 3.2 gen 1.

          Yes, I can put a PCIe gen 3 x4 SSD in USB 3.2 gen 2x2 enclosure and I can trick my brain to think its max sequential read/write is better than T7 Shield. However, that particular SSD I used has inferior sustained write speed to T7 Shield.

          Let's be crystal clear: The MP44L, even at its "slowest," is still 2-3x faster than the T7 Shield on large file transfers and is fast enough to almost completely saturate the 10Gbps USB connection.

          That's incorrect. MP44L's slowest sequential write speed( when foldback write is forced) is 300MB/s. T7 Shield can consistently write at 900MB/s. MP44L's slowest is 300MB/s (source: TechPowerUp).

          Once the drive is almost completely full, speeds drop further, to around 300 MB/s.

          Also, sequential read/write isn't everything and random read/write performance penalty on enclosures is generally quite high. I have multiple PCs which support 6 PCIe gen 4 x4 NVMe SSDs. I could easily use one of them to clone SSD data quickly. I also have a dedicated NVMe cloning device (doesn't need a PC), just put 2 NVMe SSDs in it, press clone button. NM790 SSDs I bought in 2023 are cheap enough so I am willing to use them for enclosures, otherwise for quality PCIe gen 4 x4 SSDs, they go into PCs.

          When writing lots of small files, you can't expect max sequential write speed. You get closer to random write speed. Enclosure protocol conversion kicks in so things get even worse. Even NM790 inside USB4 enclosure, random write of 40MB/s on an Apple Silicon Mac.

          My main point is: No good deal on TEAMGROUP MP44L. Also, Phison E21 based SSDs were worth considering back in 2023 (but they were cheap back then). It's 2025 now, people should aim for current gen chipset based PCIe gen 4 x4 SSDs. Phison E21 came out before NM790 / Maxon MAP1602A. After that, Phison and SiliconMotion both realised they need to stop crippling DRAMless PCIe gen 4 x4 SSDs.

        • netsurfer on 14/10/2025 - 02:42

          With USB4 enclosures, ideally, you want one that has a fan inside and provide firmware updates. If the enclosure comes with a firmware that's too old, you will get really unbalanced performance with some, if not most SSDs.

          The NM790 1TB in USB4 enclosure result I posted, that enclosure had a firmware update applied (otherwise the results would be even more one sided - i.e. read is great, write isn't so great). Even with the firmware update, which improved the max sequential write, is still unbalanced. A lot of cheap USB4 enclosures, you won't find firmware updates provided by the maker.

          USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are already here.

          Yes, and they are not that great (PCIe gen 3 x4 speed basically). That's why I tested it with M1 Pro, rather than M4 Pro (which supports Thunderbolt 5).

          T7 Shield is different to T7. T7 is not worth buying. T7 Shield, is a bit annoying. It's not easy to beat it in USB 3.2 gen 2 mode because Samsung did put in an SSD that's either 970 Evo or close to it. T7 Shield's SLC cache might even be static size and even smaller than T7. It was done intentionally so that it hardly ever needs to re-write SLC data in TLC (basically very little foldback write).

          Obviously, we would think a PCIe gen 4 x4 TLC SSD, even if it is DRAMless should trump PCIe gen 3 x4 SSD in USB 3.2 gen 2 mode at all times. Problem is, Phison E21 DRAMless SSD can be setup to cheat a fair bit, especially the 1TB. If the SLC cache is aggressive, the foldback write penalty can get a bit ugly. I have multiple Phison E21 DRAMless SSDs and I can tell you for sure that when it is doing SLC to TLC recovery / foldback, you won't get 1000MB/s write. Sometimes, when the SSD is busy, it won't do the write back quick enough so you don't get to write at 1000MB/s for a long time. There was once where I literally had to wait 30 minutes (and not touch that Phison E21 SSD).

          • PixelMango on 14/10/2025 - 05:18

            @netsurfer: Alright, let's cut through the noise. Your entire defense of the T7 Shield is a masterclass in cherry-picking technical specs while completely missing the bigger picture. You're defending an overpriced, architecturally obsolete product with flawed logic.

            Let's correct the record.

            The "900MB/s Consistency" is a Fallacy, Not a Feature:

            You're celebrating the T7 Shield consistently hitting 900MB/s as if it's an achievement. It's not. It's a confession that the drive is permanently stuck at the speed limit of its 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. It’s like bragging your Ferrari can consistently do 60 mph on a road with a 60 mph speed limit.

            Any decent NVMe from 2020 does the exact same thing in a $30 enclosure because the port is the bottleneck. You're paying Samsung a premium for the privilege of being permanently stuck at yesterday's speeds.

            Your "Foldback" Argument is Technically Illiterate:

            You keep quoting the MP44L's "300MB/s foldback" speed like it's a gotcha, but you fundamentally misunderstand the testing methodology. That scenario only occurs when a review site internally hammers the drive with 5,000+ MB/s transfers to intentionally trigger a worst-case scenario by filling the entire drive.

            In a USB 3.2 Gen 2 enclosure, that will never happen. The SLC cache regenerates faster than the USB port can feed it, do the math. For 99.9% of real-world transfers, the MP44L will maintain the maximum speed of the enclosure.

            Even in a USB 4.0 enclosure, the drive hits fold back to clear it's cache and then resumes, it's still averages 2x the speed of the T7 when filling up a 2tb, else it's a lot faster. When it's twice the speed at the same price it's a no brainer.

            Your "foldback" scenario is a lab-test straw man you're dishonestly applying to a real-world use case.

            You're Arguing for Strategic Blindness:

            Let's talk about what happens in 18 months when you have a new laptop with USB4:

            T7 Shield owner: Still has a 900MB/s drive. Forever. No options.

            DIY owner: Drops their NVMe into a $40 USB4 enclosure and gets 3,500MB/s+.

            The NVMe drive is a reusable asset. When you're done with it as an external drive, you can put it in your PC or PS5 and get its full 3,500 MB/s speed. The T7 Shield is a dead-end product.

            Your Compatibility Concerns are FUD:

            All your talk about "firmware quirks," "Thunderbolt AICs," and "ASMedia chipsets" is classic fear-mongering. You're trying to scare people away from superior technology by bringing up niche, solvable issues that affected a tiny minority of users years ago. For 99% of people, a quality enclosure from a reputable brand just works.

            You know what has real compatibility issues? Samsung's own Magician software that half the time doesn't even recognize the T7 Shield.

            But here's the killer: Even if I hit every single compatibility issue you mentioned, I can still:

            Try a different enclosure ($30).

            Use the drive internally at full speed.

            Swap to a different SSD.

            What's your solution when the T7 has issues? Buy another T7?

            The Bottom Line:

            You're defending a locked-down, overpriced USB 3.2 drive in 2025 when USB4 is becoming standard. A DIY setup is cheaper, offers identical performance today, and gives you a vastly superior, reusable, and upgradeable path for tomorrow.

            Stop rationalizing an emotional purchase. You bought convenience and brand recognition, not performance or value. That’s fine, but don't pretend it's the smart choice when the numbers and the strategy prove otherwise.

            • netsurfer on 15/10/2025 - 00:07

              @PixelMango: Okay, let's do real life example. I have a Phison E21 SSD. I know it is nowhere near as good as yours but it is still PCIe gen 4 x4 SSD. I put it in the most recent $5 AliExpress USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure ($5 AUD). Due to component lottery, it has a JMicron chipset.
              Trust me, I want my Phison E21 to belt Samsung T7 Shield, but….

              Crystal DiskMark Test, 4GiB size, 1TB Phison E21 SSD, JMicron USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure
              820MB/s sequential read, 940MB/s sequential write…. my response is… what the???!!! The shocker is the 0.42MB/s in RND4KQ32T16 mixed.

              T7 Shield result from ssd-tester.de
              1080MB/s sequential read, 1053MB/s sequential write… even random read/write low queue depth is better…

              Now, I am going to cheat a bit and reduce the test block size to 256MB
              Crystal DiskMark Test, 256MB size, 1TB Phison E21 SSD, JMicron USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure
              Results is better, but still… it doesn't really beat T7 Shield (because I did cheat with smaller block size). That high queue random mixed result is still shockingly bad.

              • PixelMango on 15/10/2025 - 01:01

                @netsurfer: You know what?

                This is clearly much more important to you, then it is to me.

                I'll just let you be right, and say that I'm wrong. Is that fine with you?

                • netsurfer on 15/10/2025 - 01:02

                  @PixelMango: Can you please run a test using a USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure with your SSD and pick 4GiB and let me know the result?

                  It appears that there are some junk rubbish USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosures on AliExpress… and that's why they are dirt cheap. That Phison E21 SSD works fine inside a PC m.2/NVMe slot.

                  Also, sorry.. a correction, the chipset used in the enclosure is Realtek 9210… I have another one that's JMicron… This one I grabbed is a Realtek one.

                  Update: I can confirm this AliExpress enclosure is junk, no wonder it is cheap. Strangely, it works better with PCIe gen 3 x4 SSDs, but it has issue with random mixed usage. $5 wasted.
                  Update 2: Tested with an UGreen enclosure, I know that one works. I get close enough result to T7 Shield in sequential, but does beat it in random read/write (which to me is more important). However, as I thought, there isn't much point using PCIe gen 4 x4 SSD in USB 3.2 enclosure.

                  However, I am going to stop recommending $5-$6 AliExpress enclosures.

                  • PixelMango on 15/10/2025 - 02:10

                    @netsurfer: If you buy a $5 enclosure and install an MP44L (around $175 total), it actually ends up cheaper than the T7 Shield.

                    Plus, you can reuse the MP44L later by installing it directly into your computer for even faster speeds, something you can’t do with the T7 Shield.

                    Just remember to factor in the cost of the enclosure when comparing prices.

                    If you go with a USB 4.0 enclosure (which I originally recommended), the total cost comes to about $220, but you’ll get noticeably faster transfer speeds.

                    For reference, I’m currently using an NV1 in my own 9210 enclosure. It’s about 10% slower to the T7 shield, which you’ll barely notice in real-world use. As I mentioned earlier, even a 2020 drive performs similarly to the T7 Shield, so is spending an extra $20 worth it for just a 10% bump? Not really.

                    Also, other reviewers have shown that drive speeds vary slightly, meaning the performance gap is often even smaller.

                    And if I were using a USB 4.0 enclosure, I’d be getting even faster results, even with the NV1.

                    But hey, you do you.

                    Although being fair and looking online people using 4.0 USB enclosures seem to reach speeds of around 2700 MB/s only 2.7x faster compared to 3.5x.

                    • McMaferMur on 15/10/2025 - 08:27

                      @PixelMango: MP44L (around $175 total)

                      That is for 1TB right?

                      • PixelMango on 15/10/2025 - 17:16
                        +1

                        @McMaferMur: The 1TB is around ~$110.

                        I don't seem to be able to locate the 2 TB for $175 might have been a special. Since they're always running deals on NVME.

                        Luckily The NQ790 2TB is on special at the moment for $164 which is a better deal anyway.

                        • McMaferMur on 15/10/2025 - 17:22

                          @PixelMango: wow… thanks would be perfect if same price at amazon i have some credit.
                          anyway when looking for enclosure, is this the keyword i need to use? NVMe M.2
                          (i saw there are many different NVMe sizes so not sure)

                          • PixelMango on 15/10/2025 - 17:49

                            @McMaferMur: There's a couple of things you can search on for Ali or AliExpress:

                            For similar speeds to T7 Shield:

                            USB 3 enclosure

                            USB 3.2 enclosure

                            10gbps enclosure

                            20gbps enclosure

                            "rtl9210b".

                            For faster speeds then T7 shield:

                            USB 4 enclosure

                            40gbps enclosure

                            On Google:

                            site: AliExpress.com "the terms above" i.e

                            site:AliExpress.com "rtl9210b".

                            Once you find an enclosure you like look at reviews or look it up on reddit to make sure it's good.

                            • netsurfer on 15/10/2025 - 22:48

                              @PixelMango: I am not saying buy T7 Shield. I was just pointing out don't assume T7 = T7 Shield. Did I + vote this deal? Also, I am not a fan of mwave. I did mention I have a 4TB USB 3.2 gen 2x2 external SSD which I paid $199.

                              Funny you mentioned NV1. NV1 is something I would use on an USB 3.2 gen 2 enclosure. I have an NV1 too.

                              USB4 enclosures, most of them need a firmware update, otherwise if you use NM790, you could get unbalanced write result (worst case, 1500MB/s max, a firmware update brings it to 2500MB/s+). Hopefully, by now, they put in newer firmware.

                              I bought a Phison E27 based (up to 7400MB read, 6400MB write) 2TB SSD for $145 this year making it hard for me to recommend MP44L 2TB.

                              That $5 enclosure, I am going to try flash the firmware (it's only a $5 toy, happy to muck around). My experience with rtl9210b was generally fine so I am surprised rtl9210(a) is flaky. I might try to source another rtl9210a enclosure to find out whether the chipset is junk.

                              • PixelMango on 16/10/2025 - 00:59

                                @netsurfer: Alright, so we've ended up on the same page the T7 Shield at $195 tends is worse value to a 2020+ NVME setup with an enclosure.

                            • netsurfer on 16/10/2025 - 00:05

                              @PixelMango: Just for fun:

                              Realtek RT9210B with Phison E21T SSD / USB 3.2 gen 2 Test

                              I personally prefer your result (as that would be more objective). My subjective analysis:

                              • Samsung clearly optimised T7 Shield for sequential write. You can interpret that as a shrewd behaviour.
                              • Phison E21T's random read/write is better. To me, that's quite important, if not more important.
                              • You get different result depending on enclosure type and the firmware.
                              • For sequential write, my Phison E21T SSD doesn't seem to do as well as I hoped. NM790 (Maxon MAP1602A) doesn't seem to have the same issue.
                              • My expectation is you will get a better result with your SSD.
  • congo on 13/10/2025 - 08:46

    For USB 4.0 you're looking more at $40, but on tmall you can get them for $16-$25.

    Any links? Need one myself. Thanks.

    • PixelMango on 15/10/2025 - 17:41

      Can't link to them on here.

      But you can get them from Ali or AliExpress for under $45.

      If you want cheaper under $25 you're going to have to work out how to order from szwego, fishgoo or perhaps 1688 has them for that price.

  • Mark1159 on 13/10/2025 - 10:09

    I need a 1 or 2 TB storage HD/thing for my new MacBook Air. My son recommends SSD.
    I have T7 - photos, basic docs etc. works ok.

    What do the experts here recommend from OW or JB? 95% photos
    Thankyou

    • guidedlight on 13/10/2025 - 11:22

      If you need 2TB of storage for your photos on Apple devices, I recommend using iCloud. It's $14.99/month for 2TB and it will work seamlessly with your MacBook.

      More importantly, iCloud storage is a backup solution. These SSD's unfortunately can simply stop working and you'll lose everything.

      • McMaferMur on 13/10/2025 - 11:28

        someone will say get both. 3.2.1 backup system or something like that

      • sicaboy on 13/10/2025 - 17:08

        In terms of speed, downloading the original file can take several seconds to a minute. This becomes awkward when showing an old photo to a friend, as a thumbnail appears first and then the loading spinner continues while the original image downloads.

        That’s a good point. If Mware cancels my order, I’ll likely switch to 2TB iCloud instead.

      • Mark1159 on 14/10/2025 - 09:05

        Unwanted photos on iCloud have habit of featuring across devices and popping up unexpectedly- thx

    • netsurfer on 14/10/2025 - 03:52

      Wait for a bargain deal on external SSD. Don't get another T7 (non-shield one). Even though T7 shield one is decent, its price generally isn't great.

      Another option is setup a NAS. I would probably store 1 version on external SSD and another one on NAS.

      However, if you have an iPad and/or iPhone, then iCloud is worth considering.

      • McMaferMur on 14/10/2025 - 09:34

        @netsurfer
        "bargain deal on external SSD" — which one if you remember (so i can setup similar alert) - i kind of need 2TB but not urgent. currently using 10 years old mechanical 2.5" HDD 500gb thanks. or maybe just get the internal ssd and enclosure? i dont mind

        • netsurfer on 15/10/2025 - 01:31

          Maybe wait for good OZB deals for external SSDs. No good deals at the moment unfortunately.

          If you want to go DIY, get a decent enclosure (maybe at least UGreen or a brand you heard before). Try buy one from a retailer or online store with good return policy. I was thinking about recommending one of those cheap $5 enclosure from AliExpress. However, the $5 enclosure I recently bought from AliExpress turned out to be defective. For photos and work, not worthwhile to cheap out.

          As for the SSD, the most ideal one is a decent SSD with DRAM (but don't overspend). The SSD normally can't use HMB through an USB enclosure, so a DRAMless SSD gets slightly inconsistent result over time (especially if you copy a lot of small files). However, current gen PCIe gen 4 x4 SSD has sufficient raw performance to compensate it.

          Your usage pattern is a combination of mid size files and small files. You will get better performance than HDD, but not in the same level as the internal SSD inside your Macbook Air. At higher end (if you want to work off the SSD), you could consider getting an USB4 enclosure (instead of USB 3.2 gen 2), but it does cost a fair bit more. From my experience, I would suggest one that has a fan inside and provides firmware update file(s), cost more though. However, if you pick USB4 enclosure, get a quality SSD.

          With photos and work files, have multiple backups (i.e. 1 backup on external SSD, 1 backup on NAS).

          • McMaferMur on 15/10/2025 - 08:31

            @netsurfer: Thanks yep will wait. I like the idea of getting slow cheap enclosure for now (my nas isnt tb4) and in the future have option to swap the enclosure to faster while keeping the same drive. Correct i backnup from NAS mostly photos and documents.

  • Fireboy222 on 13/10/2025 - 11:53
    +3

    JB matched this price via online chat, and with the perks voucher it goes to $182.95. That's a great deal, thanks OP.

    • sicaboy on 13/10/2025 - 17:06

      that's an even better deal

  • McMaferMur on 13/10/2025 - 12:26

    huh price is different

  • che0173 on 13/10/2025 - 12:41

    price back to $370.95

    • hashtagbargain on 13/10/2025 - 13:49

      That’s $70 more than jb pricing.

  • ozbozb on 13/10/2025 - 14:13

    Still says 0 allocated for my order, hopefully it doesn't get cancelled.
    Other items are already allocated

  • sicaboy on 13/10/2025 - 17:06

    For my order:
    No Allocated QTY
    No ETA Date

  • ozbozb on 15/10/2025 - 11:50

    any orders shipped already?
    mine not yet allocated

    • McMaferMur on 15/10/2025 - 12:04
      -1

      just one day, probably check back this thread in 2 weeks and start panicking

      • ozbozb on 15/10/2025 - 12:09
        • 3 days
        • says 24-48 hours dispatch (which already passed)
        • and not panicking just need it asap
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