Verbatim (99375) 2TB Store 'n' Go Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive - Diamond Silver Review @ ModSynergy.com
By: Michael Phrakaysone
I recently came across a statement suggesting that the conventional spinning hard drive is dead, particularly when compared to Solid State Drives (SSDs). However, I believe this claim doesn't hold true for the majority of users who still rely on hard drives. While SSDs may be popular among enthusiasts and those seeking faster performance as a boot drive, the hard drive continues to be the go-to option for the masses.
When we consider the capacity-to-price ratio, it becomes evident that the hard drive still reigns supreme. Hard drives offer significantly more storage capacity at a lower cost, especially now that consumer-grade hard drives can reach astonishing capacities of 10TB, all while remaining more affordable than their SSD counterparts. For many individuals, affordability is a crucial factor in their storage decision-making process. There are still countless people who rely on hard drives to store and archive various types of multimedia, both for personal and business use, as SSDs haven't provided them with a compelling value proposition to make a complete switch.
To illustrate this, let's consider someone who works with video editing. While they may opt for an SSD as their boot drive and for running their editing software, when it comes to archiving and saving their video projects, the hard drive becomes the preferred choice. Its large capacity and cost-effectiveness make it ideal for storing such large files.
One notable name in the computing industry is Verbatim, a trusted brand that has been around since 1969, back when floppy disk drives were the cutting edge of technology. Over the years, Verbatim has transitioned ownership from American to Japanese, and now operates as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation. Today, they are known for providing storage solutions such as flash memory, hard drives, and optical storage media like Blu-Ray, DVD, and CD.
In this review, I have the opportunity to reconnect with Verbatim and take a closer look at one of their latest products, the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive, bearing the product number 99375. This particular model, the Store 'n' Go Diamond Silver 2TB portable hard drive, is backed by Verbatim's industry-leading 7-year limited warranty. So, without further ado, let's dive into the review and determine if it's worth investing your hard-earned money in.
About Verbatim
"Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim® has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 39 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry.
Customer-driven, Verbatim is known for adding considerable product value--above and beyond its competitors--to established media technology. As an industry pioneer, Verbatim is recognized for the role it plays in early product development and commercial product introduction of new technologies. Verbatim's leadership role is especially apparent in the evolution of optical media recording including MO and the CD/DVD family of products.
Along with its technological innovations, Verbatim has always been recognized universally for its superior manufacturing practices. Verbatim was the first media company to receive ISO certification, the de facto standard for quality management systems worldwide. This commitment to quality translates into consistent product performance and reliability. In addition, Verbatim provides toll-free technical support and service to enable its customers to maximize the performance of its products.
As a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, a recognized world leader in the chemical and computer industries, Verbatim is ideally positioned to take advantage of changes in the market while continuing to challenge the frontiers of data storage."
Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive Product Overview
Experience transfer speeds up to 10x faster with SuperSpeed USB 3.0! The Verbatim 2TB Store ‘n’ Go Portable Hard Drive features a unique, diamond-patterned finish and comes with the fastest USB connectivity available. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 lets you blaze through demanding tasks by reading and saving files faster.
The Store ‘n’ Go Portable Hard Drive comes pre-installed with Nero backup software for full system backup and restore functionality – schedule automatic backups by date and time, or encrypted backup with password protection.
Backed by our industry-leading 7-year limited warranty, the Store ‘n’ Go USB 3.0 hard drive lets you save your precious photos, videos, graphics, games, music, data and more with confidence.
Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive Product Features
- • Compact, portable drive with unique, diamond-patterned finish
• 2TB storage capacity
• Includes Nero backup software* for full backup and restore functionality (*Software compatible with Windows operating systems only)
• Features Green Button energy-saving software – power-saving settings to help conserve laptop battery life
• Easily format drive to FAT32 or NTFS (or FAT 32 to HFS+ for Mac) based on your needs using pre-installed Formatter software
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 – transfer speeds up to 10x faster than USB 2.0
• 100% compatible with USB 2.0 ports
• Industry-leading 7-year Limited Warranty
First Impressions
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive comes in a packaging that caught my attention right away. It's a hybrid clamshell design that combines paper and plastic, with a clear emphasis on using more paper materials. This eco-friendly packaging approach aligns with the growing concern over plastic waste and the need for sustainable solutions.
Living in a world filled with plastic, it's refreshing to see a company like Verbatim taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. The hybrid clamshell packaging is designed to be easily recyclable, with the majority of the materials being paper-based. This makes recycling the packaging more efficient and effective, as paper is generally easier to recycle compared to different types of plastic.
It's important to address the issue of plastic waste and find alternative packaging solutions. By using predominantly paper materials, Verbatim is making a conscious effort to contribute to a more sustainable future. The packaging not only looks appealing but also promotes eco-consciousness by reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
Choosing environmentally friendly packaging is commendable, and it reflects Verbatim's commitment to responsible practices. It shows that they understand the importance of minimizing their environmental footprint and providing consumers with a product that aligns with their values.
In a world where plastic waste is a significant concern, the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive stands out for its eco-friendly packaging. It's a small but significant step towards a more sustainable future, and I appreciate Verbatim's effort to make a positive difference in the industry.
As I unbox the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable hard drive, I can't help but admire the front of the box. It beautifully showcases the diamond-patterned exterior body of the hard drive, making it the star of the show. Surrounding the image are brief yet relevant details about the drive, such as its utilization of the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, its impressive 2TB capacity, and the inclusion of Nero Backup software and energy-saving features. What truly catches my attention is the mention of a remarkable 7-year limited warranty, which is quite rare in today's market where warranties tend to be much shorter.
In a time when hard drive warranties have significantly decreased, it's refreshing to see Verbatim going above and beyond by offering such an extended warranty period. It speaks to their confidence in the product's quality and reliability. I recall the longest warranty I've encountered was a 10-year warranty on an older Patriot Memory SSD, but a 7-year warranty for a portable hard drive is still exceptional.
Turning the box to the back, I discover even more information about the product. A small label indicates that the hard drive is manufactured in China, often referred to as the "factory of the world." This gives insight into the global nature of production and the drive's origin. Additionally, a small window near the bottom of the box provides a glimpse of the included USB 3.0 cable, which appears to be relatively short but sufficient for connecting the drive to my devices.
The packaging itself is informative and visually appealing, providing key details about the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable hard drive. It's evident that Verbatim has put effort into presenting their product in an engaging and informative way, capturing my attention right from the start. I'm eager to explore the capabilities of this hard drive and put it to the test.
One thing to keep in mind is that the included Nero Backup software, which comes with the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable hard drive, is compatible only with the Windows operating system. While this may disappoint Apple Mac users, it's worth noting that they already have the excellent built-in Time Machine backup solution at their disposal.
In the year 2017, it's almost expected for any new device to feature USB 3.0 connectivity. The Verbatim portable hard drive lives up to this expectation by offering USB 3.0, which provides significantly faster transfer speeds compared to the older USB 2.0 standard. With USB 3.0, you can save time and complete your tasks more efficiently, as you won't have to wait as long for file transfers to complete. Given that USB 3.0 has become widely adopted, I won't be conducting any tests using USB 2.0 for this review.
It's worth mentioning that besides the software included on the drive itself, there are no additional bundled accessories such as a protective drive pouch or sleeve. The package includes only the hard drive itself and a USB 3.0 cable. While some users might have appreciated additional accessories for added convenience and protection, the focus here seems to be on delivering the core functionality of a portable hard drive.
Visual Overview
I personally find the diamond silver patterned exterior of the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive to be quite appealing. It adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness compared to the standard black model. The entire body of the drive is made of hard plastic, with a matte finish that covers about 99% of the surface. I appreciate the matte finish as it helps to minimize the visibility of fingerprints and scratches, keeping the drive looking clean and sleek.
What stands out the most is the jazzy diamond-patterned finish on the top portion of the drive. Depending on the lighting conditions, it creates a captivating holographic effect that adds personality to the drive. It's a treat to see the drive reflect light in different ways, making it stand out from other portable hard drives on the market. In contrast, the bottom portion of the drive is a simple matte black, providing a clean and understated look.
The profile surrounding the drive enclosure has a semi-translucent design, allowing the blue activity LED to shine through when the drive is in use. This adds a subtle yet visually pleasing element to the overall appearance of the drive.
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive is impressively lightweight, weighing in at only 140 grams (0.31 lbs). This makes it extremely portable and easy to carry around without adding much weight to your bag or pocket. Its compact dimensions of 4.69" x 3.18" x 0.58" (L x W x H) further enhance its portability, allowing it to easily fit into your pocket or small compartments in your bag.
While the standout feature of the drive is the patterned design on the top, the overall style of the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive is relatively basic. Its clean and straightforward appearance, apart from the eye-catching pattern, ensures that it remains versatile and suitable for various personal or professional environments.
At the bottom of the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive, you'll find a label that provides essential information such as the model number, brand name, serial number, and various safety labels and certifications. This label ensures that all necessary identification and compliance details are readily accessible.
However, it is worth noting that the drive lacks rubber feet on the bottom surface, which could help prevent slippage when placed on a table or smooth surface. This omission may come as a surprise, especially considering that the drive's bundled accessories are quite basic. The absence of rubber feet is likely a cost-saving measure, but it does pose a potential inconvenience as the drive may move around on flat surfaces.
Fortunately, this issue can be easily addressed by purchasing inexpensive rubber feet from local stores or online retailers. Adding rubber feet to the bottom of the drive will provide stability and minimize the risk of accidental drops or falls.
What Kind of Hard Drive is Inside?
Upon inspecting the S.M.A.R.T information, it was discovered that the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive is equipped with a 2TB Seagate ST2000LM007 hard drive. This mobile HDD utilizes the SATA 6Gb/s interface and belongs to the 7mm/0.276in height variety, typically found in Ultrabooks, rather than the standard 9.5mm variety used in regular laptops.
In the Seagate lineup, the ST2000LM007 serves as the base model. It offers a data transfer rate of up to 140MB/s and operates at a rotational speed of 5400RPM. Notably, this particular model boasts a higher-than-average cache size of 128MB, which contributes to enhanced performance and responsiveness.
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Upon connecting the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive to a computer, I discovered that it comes pre-formatted and is immediately ready for use. The drive includes several pre-installed software applications, accessible through a small Adobe Flash-based program.
One of the included software is Nero BackItUp, which provides backup and data protection features. This software allows users to easily create backups of their important files and folders.
The Verbatim Green Button Software is also included, offering three different sleep/suspend settings. This feature enables users to customize the power management settings of the hard drive, allowing them to balance performance and energy efficiency according to their preferences.
Additionally, the Verbatim HD Formatter is provided, allowing users to format the drive to different file systems if needed. This can be useful for compatibility with different operating systems or specific usage requirements.
Furthermore, the Verbatim HD Info software is included, providing a convenient way to view the contents of the drive through Windows File Explorer. This feature allows users to quickly browse and access the files stored on the portable hard drive.
To be honest, the bundled software on the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive may not be necessary for most users. Apart from Nero BackItUp, which can be useful for those who prefer it, there are plenty of better and up-to-date free backup programs available online. While Verbatim's Hard Drive Formatter software allows for formatting to various file systems such as NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT, it's worth noting that Windows already provides its own reliable and feature-rich hard drive format tool that can accomplish the same tasks and more. Therefore, it's not essential to rely on the included software, as there are more efficient alternatives readily available.
Performance Testing & Results
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive doesn't provide specific performance numbers on their website or packaging, except for claiming up to 10x faster transfer rates compared to USB 2.0. To verify its speed, we conducted several tests using different benchmarking tools.
Using ATTO Disk Benchmark 3.05, we measured the full drive throughput, while CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 allowed us to test with incompressible data. Additionally, we utilized H2testw, a real-world verification tool originally designed to detect counterfeit USB drives by evaluating drive capacity. This tool writes random data to the drive and then verifies its integrity to calculate read and write speeds.
During the tests, the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive exhibited impressive performance. In the CrystalDiskMark benchmark, it achieved a remarkable sequential read speed of 130.5MB/s, making it one of the fastest high-capacity hard drives tested. This result surprised me as it outperformed other drives of similar capacity from different manufacturers, including larger desktop hard drives connected via USB 3.0. I attribute this exceptional performance to the drive's large 128MB cache. These results indicate that the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive excels in transferring large files, making it an excellent choice for video editing and other data-intensive tasks.
In addition to its impressive sequential read speed, the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive exhibits equally remarkable sequential write speed, reaching an impressive 127.9 MB/s. This indicates that the drive excels in handling large individual files, such as video files or large database files. If you frequently work with such files, this drive is an excellent choice, ensuring fast and efficient transfers.
However, when it comes to small file transfers, particularly files sized at 4 KB, the drive's performance shows room for improvement. The 4K performance numbers, ranging between 0.3-0.6 MB/s, indicate that this drive may not be the most optimal option for handling numerous small files. Nevertheless, it's important to note that the drive's primary focus lies in efficiently transferring larger files, which aligns with the typical use case for most consumers who rely on portable drives for storing and transferring multimedia files.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive's overall throughput, we employed ATTO Disk Benchmark 3.05. The benchmark results, obtained across various queue depths ranging from 16KB to 64MB, consistently showcased a read and write speed of around 130MB/s. This demonstrates the drive's ability to maintain high-speed data transfers across different file sizes and queue depths, making it a reliable choice for users seeking consistent performance.
While the drive may exhibit lower performance in handling smaller files, its exceptional sequential read and write speeds, as well as its consistent throughput in real-world scenarios, solidify its position as a capable storage solution for those dealing with large multimedia files.
Moving on to a real-world test using H2testw to fill the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive with 32GB of data, the drive showcased impressive performance. It managed to write the entire 32GB of data in just 6 minutes and 6 seconds, achieving an average write speed of 89.4 MB/s. This indicates that the drive can efficiently handle large data transfers, ensuring quick storage of your files.
Moreover, during the verification process where H2testw checked the integrity of the written data, the drive exhibited a read speed of 133 MB/s. This result surpasses the previous synthetic benchmark results, highlighting the drive's ability to consistently deliver high read speeds. It's worth noting that this outcome provides a more accurate indication of the drive's performance in real-world scenarios, demonstrating its reliability when it comes to reading data from the drive.
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive's performance during the H2testw test confirms its capability to handle large data transfers swiftly and reliably. With impressive write and read speeds, it proves to be a dependable option for users who frequently work with substantial amounts of data and require efficient storage solutions.
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive impresses not only with its speed and performance but also with its reliable operation. Throughout the testing process, I encountered no issues or incidents, indicating that the drive is dependable for everyday use. However, it's important to note that long-term reliability can only be assessed over an extended period of time, which was beyond the scope of my testing.
In terms of temperature, the drive maintained relatively low temperatures during benchmark testing and regular usage. The top of the drive recorded a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, while the bottom reached 43 degrees Celsius, as measured by a digital thermometer. These temperatures are within acceptable ranges and suggest that the drive operates efficiently without overheating concerns.
Where Can I Buy One? And For How Much?
A quick browse reveals that the Verbatim (99375) 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive can be purchased for $134.99 USD through Tigerdirect.com. The little brother packing 1TB of capacity sells for $82.99 instead also through Tigerdirect.com. I have no affiliation with TigerDirect.
I was not able to find this particular model on sale on Amazon.com at the time of writing this review, but they do have other models.
Some Amazon Deals That May Interest You!
Conclusion
The Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive is truly a likable device. Its eye-catching diamond-patterned silver design adds a touch of uniqueness, while its lightweight and compact size make it highly portable. The drive's impressive performance allows for fast transfer of large multimedia files, reaching speeds of up to 133MB/s over the USB 3.0 interface.
One of the standout features of this drive is its quiet operation. It remains silent and doesn't produce any strange or disruptive noises. Additionally, it maintains a comfortable temperature, never getting too hot to the touch. The affordability of the drive, coupled with its impressive 7-year warranty, makes it a great value for the price.
Although there are a few minor flaws, such as the lack of rubber feet on the bottom of the enclosure and the absence of a protective carrying case, these can be seen as negligible in the grand scheme of things. Overall, the Verbatim 2TB Store 'n' Go portable USB 3.0 hard drive deserves commendation for its performance, design, and reliability. Verbatim has done an excellent job with this product.
