Kingston has released the XS1000 External SSD – teased during Computex – boasting speeds up to 1,050MB/s and capacities reaching 2TB.
Aimed at those looking for capacity and format first, the XS1000 manages to blend both without going overboard. Unlike the in-market drive , XS2000, this newcomer targets more down-to-earth specs which, like its naming implies, roam around 1,000MB/s – up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write, to be exact. Kingston recommends a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host connection for optimal performance.
In terms of capacity, two sizes will be on offer: 1TB and 2TB, which is plenty for your daily storage needs, all inside a 69.54mm x 32.58mm x 13.5mm metal / plastic enclosure weighing 28.7g. That said, Kingston didn’t indicate the type of NAND in use, let alone the manufacturer. While TLC or QLC are most likely used, knowing which one is important from a durability standpoint.
For reference, our XS2000 sample was powered by Silicon Motion’s SM2320G bridging controller alongside Kingston-branded 3D TLC NAND, so fingers crossed it’s not QLC for this cheaper model.
Finally, the XS1000 is compatible with Chrome OS, Windows 10 and 11, macOS v10.15, plus Linux v4.4, and comes bundled with a USB Type-C to Type-A cable, obviously rated for USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds.
“Our customers are looking for convenient, fast and reliable storage at an affordable price. With the addition of XS1000 they can look no further as we now offer more options for external storage,” said Keith Schimmenti, SSD business manager at Kingston.
Backed by a five-year warranty, the XS1000 External SSD can be found on Amazon at $65.83 / £65.48 for 1TB and $108.72 / £106.49 for 2TB.
