For many businesses, there’s no such thing as having too many ways for employees to store, share, and back up files. Yet as much as cloud-based services have transformed everyday productivity, there’s still something to be said for storage devices that you can hold in your hand. Offering ultrafast transfer speeds, access to spacious drives, proven durability, easy servicing and upgrading procedures, and the level of security that only comes from keeping data in local storage, ASUS portable SSD enclosures are an ideal addition to your business’s toolkit of file storage options.
Portable SSD enclosure basics
If you haven’t seen one before, you might wonder what the difference is between a portable SSD enclosure and a thumb drive. Both put fast flash memory in designs that you can slip into your pocket, and they connect to a wide range of devices using USB ports. Thumb drives are smaller, but tend to offer slower transfer speeds and smaller capacities. They’re also a bit of a “what you see is what you get” storage solution, in that they almost never offer any options for servicing or upgrading. If one fails, you need a complete replacement.
Portable SSD enclosures aren’t large by any stretch of the imagination, but they do run larger than your standard thumb drive. The TUF Gaming A2, for example, is about 4.5 inches long and a little over two inches wide. But what you get from those larger dimensions could be crucial for the needs of your business.
As their name suggests, portable SSD enclosures give you a small, durable chassis in which you can install an M.2 SSD. These drives are readily available in a wide range of capacities and speeds. Like thumb drives, they connect via USB ports, but portable SSD enclosures tend to be wired to harness the higher transfer speeds available through USB Type-C ports. Importantly, portable SSD enclosures are serviceable and upgradable. If the drive inside fails, or if you need a drive with a higher capacity or faster transfer speeds, it’s easy to remove the old drive and pop a new one in.
The TUF Gaming A2 doubles down on durability and performance
When it comes to tech, most businesses prioritize durable operation. You need your hardware to provide years of service. That’s what makes the TUF Gaming A2 such a tempting pick. Inside and out, this portable SSD enclosure is designed to withstand the rough-and-tumble world of an on-the-go workforce.
It starts with a high-grade silicone exterior that’s ready to absorb shocks and withstand extreme temperatures. As its IP68 rating and passing grades in MIL-STD-810H tests demonstrate, the TUF Gaming A2 can resist water, dust, and debris. It’s even ready to survive drops from a height of 1.22 meters, being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, or exposure to static and electrical disturbances.
The TUF Gaming A2 is a standout when it comes to performance, too. It features a beefed-up USB Type-C interface that enables data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps. Equip this portable SSD enclosure with a high-speed M.2 SSD and plug it into a fast USB Type-C port, and you’ll have ultrafast file transfers at your fingertips. Whether you’re copying over large datasets for AI workflows, transferring high-resolution assets for a content creation project, or backing up the files of a large PC, you’ll enjoy boosted productivity.
Competing portable SSD enclosures on the market will let you install a cutting-edge M.2 SSD, but they’re not in the same league as the TUF Gaming A2 when it comes to thermal performance. All M.2 SSDs produce heat that needs to be dissipated, but advanced PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 drives need a cooling solution that goes above and beyond. To give you sustained performance that isn’t hampered by thermal throttling — and a long lifespan for your drive — the TUF Gaming A2 includes a highly conductive internal thermal pad ready to keep your SSD at comfortable operating temperatures.
The TUF Gaming A2 also offers easy installation. Popping in a drive is as simple as lining it up with the socket and securing it in place with our innovative tool-free M.2 Q-Latch system. Screw the cover back in place and you’re ready to go. You might not even need your IT staff to handle the process.
One last note about the TUF Gaming A2. While many folks love the DIY element of these portable SSD enclosures, others prefer a turnkey solution that lets them pull a complete, ready-to-go portable storage device right out of a box. Through the TUF Gaming AS1000 PLUS and TUF Gaming AS2000 PLUS, you can get a version of the TUF Gaming A2 with a pre-installed 1TB or 2TB SSD.
The ROG Strix Arion provides unique branding opportunities
The TUF Gaming A2’s stripped-down, no-nonsense exterior will appeal to many, but other scenarios call for something more eye-catching. Available in black or white, the ROG Strix Arion ups the ante with a striking visual design and a stylish hanging protective holder, but what your marketing team might love the most are its ASUS Aura Sync lighting effects. This ambient lighting is fully customizable, letting you personalize your business’s portable SSD enclosures with the signature colors of your company.
The ROG Strix Arion is equipped for reliable operation with its aluminum alloy case and heat-dissipating thermal pads. It’s capable of transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, and it offers tool-free installation, too.
The ASUS Cobble pairs effortlessly with modern laptop design
Your business might be more concerned with finding a solution that blends in neatly with today’s sleek, materials-focused laptop designs. The ASUS Cobble is easy to recommend for this scenario.
Everyone has their opinions when it comes to style, but it’s hard to imagine a context where the Cobble will feel out of place. With its nature-inspired rounded curves reminiscent of a cobblestone, it fits seamlessly with modern laptop design, especially models from the ASUS Zenbook lineup.
When it comes to performance, the Cobble will more than meet the needs of most users. Its USB 10Gbps connection serves up max transfer speeds that dwarf what you’ll get from external storage solutions based on HDDs. An internal thermal pad and its aluminum-alloy top cover ensure efficient heat dissipation so that the Cobble can maintain consistent data performance even during lengthy transfers.
Installation is a breeze, too. The Cobble uses the innovative ASUS M.2 Q-Latch mechanism to secure your drive, allowing you to install or replace an SSD without the need for tools or screws.
On top of all that, the Cobble is equipped to shrug off the wear and tear of everyday use. It’s IP55-rated, offering reasonable protection against dust and spills, and its scratch-resistant finish ensures that it’ll keep its good looks for the long term.
Get the options your business needs with ASUS portable SSD enclosures
Out of all the options that your business has for storing, accessing, and sharing files on the go, portable SSD enclosures offer a compelling blend of performance, convenience, and serviceability. Crafted with a compact chassis that’s an easy addition to any backpack or laptop bag, prepped to provide fast transfer speeds, and built for long-lasting operation, ASUS portable SSD enclosures are your premium external storage solution.
For all-around excellent performance in a modern, minimalist design, start with the ASUS Cobble. The most affordable of these three options, it offers up to 10Gbps transfer speeds, easy drive installation, and a durable shell for a reasonable price. Looking for something with some eye-catching personalization options instead? Check out the ROG Strix Arion with its customizable ASUS Aura Sync RGB LED illumination and its stylish and handy hanging protective holder.
For businesses who prioritize performance and durability, we recommend the TUF Gaming A2. Offering the highest levels of resistance to shocks, dust, and water out of all our options, this sturdy portable SSD enclosure can shrug off challenging environments and rough handling that would bring other devices to their knees. Well-suited for high-performance drives with its exceptional heat dissipation and USB 20Gbps interface, it’s also a great pick for usage scenarios where you can’t afford to wait around for slow file transfers.