Lexar’s New SL500 Portable SSD Is Barely Bigger Than a Credit Card
Lexar’s new SL500 Portable SSD is an extremely compact 2TB drive designed for content creators, including iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max owners who want to record high-quality Apple ProRes video at 60 frames per second.
The device sports a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 design, meaning that its performance on Mac devices is half its theoretical maximum. For USB 3.2 Gen2x2 devices, the SL500 promises read speeds up to 2,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,800 MB/s.
The SSD’s footprint is barely larger than a credit card and not much thicker. It is 85 x 54 x 7.8 millimeters (3.3 x 2.1 x 0.3 inches), although the thickness tapers toward the edges. At its thinnest, it is 4.8 millimeters (0.2 inches). The drive is just thick enough at its thickest point to have the USB-C port. The included cable is basically flush with the SL500 SSD when in use. The drive weighs just 43 grams (1.5 ounces).
Beyond working with PCs, Macs, and iPhone devices, the Lexar SL500 Portable SSD is also a good choice for use directly with an interchangeable lens camera, Android smartphone, or a video game console. The drive comes with Lexar DataShield software installed, which promises 256-bit AES encryption, helping keep files secure.
Getting back to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max compatibility, the SL500’s small and lightweight design makes it an interesting choice for mobile cinematographers. Apple’s latest flagship phones can record Apple ProRes 4K video at up to 60p. However, the smartphones can’t shoot that format internally — users must record it on an attached compatible SSD. The Lexar SL500 is one option and one of the most compact.
“Whether users are looking to speed up their work or accelerate their creativity, this drive delivers the performance needed to take projects and pursuits to the next level,” says Joey Lopez, Director of Marketing. “It’s incredible read and write speeds translate into both faster downloads and faster transfers.”
The Lexar SL500 Portable SSD is available now in a 2TB capacity for $230. It will also arrive in a 4TB version by the end of next quarter. The SL500 joins another new Lexar portable SSD, the SL600, which the company announced just over a month ago.
Image credits: Lexar
