"SSD" covers several quite different things: the bare board that goes inside a computer, the pocket drive on a USB cable, and an empty enclosure you put a bare drive into. Before comparing models, answer one question: are you trying to make a machine faster, or to have somewhere to put files?
1. Four categories
| Type | What it is | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| M.2 NVMe internal | A stick of board that slots into an M.2 socket | Upgrading a laptop, building a PC, boot drives |
| M.2 SATA internal | Same shape, but running on the SATA bus, with a far lower ceiling | Computers whose documented M.2 slot supports the chosen SATA drive |
| Portable SSD | Enclosed drive with a cable — plug in and go | Photos, video footage, backups, travel |
| SSD enclosure | An empty case you fit an M.2 drive into | Reusing a drive you replaced, or building a faster external drive |
2. Three things to check before buying an internal drive
Length: 2280 or 2230
The four digits in an M.2 model are dimensions: 2280 means 22mm wide, 80mm long — the standard for desktops and most laptops. 2230 is much shorter and appears in ultra-thin machines and handheld consoles. Check the exact model's official specification or service manual before ordering; if it is unclear, ask a qualified technician to identify the slot.
Interface: NVMe or SATA
M.2 is a form factor, not a promise of NVMe support. SATA and NVMe drives can look similar, and the notch/key pattern is only a clue, not a substitute for compatibility information. Check the exact computer's slot protocol, supported length and key alongside the SSD specification. If the slot does not support NVMe, it may not detect that SSD; this does not by itself mean the entire computer cannot turn on.
PCIe generation
NVMe drives come as Gen3, Gen4 and Gen5. Each generation raises the theoretical ceiling, but for booting, opening apps and browsing photos the difference is far smaller than the spec sheet implies. Where it shows is sustained large-file work: editing 4K video, moving tens of gigabytes at a time.
Examples to compare with the computer's specification include the Kodak X300s M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 for compatible NVMe slots, and the Kodak X250s M.2 2280 SATA III for compatible M.2 SATA slots. Machine age alone does not establish compatibility.
3. PS5 expansion: read the official requirements
Not every M.2 drive works in a PS5. Use the following as a compatibility checklist, and confirm the current PlayStation installation instructions, supported drive and complete heatsink dimensions before ordering:
- Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)
- Capacity: 250GB to 8TB
- Form factors: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110
- Speed: 5,500MB/s sequential read or faster recommended
- Cooling: a heat-dissipating structure such as a heatsink and heat transfer sheet, with total thickness up to 11.25mm and width up to 25mm
To be straightforward about it: our Kodak X300s is a Gen3 drive, so it does not meet the PS5's Gen4 requirement and is not the right choice for console expansion. It belongs in laptops and desktops. For a PS5, look for a Gen4 drive matching the specification above.
4. External: buy finished, or build it?
A finished portable SSD is the simplest route — for example the Kodak X200 USB-C portable SSD 1TB.
Building your own lets you reuse a drive you have replaced, or assemble something faster. What matters in an enclosure is its interface ceiling:
- ASUS Cobble (USB-C 10Gbps) — check the exact enclosure's supported M.2 protocols, lengths, keys and clearance against your drive. Dual-protocol support does not mean every SSD fits: an ordinary 2.5in SATA drive is not an M.2 board.
- TUF Gaming A1 (10Gbps) and TUF Gaming A2 (20Gbps, rugged) — for carrying around.
- ProArt PA40SU (USB4 40Gbps) — for video work, after checking the enclosure's exact compatibility with the host port and cable; a USB4 or Thunderbolt name alone does not promise the full rated speed.
The supported connection limits the ceiling. A compatible 40Gbps enclosure connected through a 10Gbps link cannot use its full 40Gbps interface rate. Actual transfer speed can be lower because of protocol overhead, cable, SSD, temperature and workload. Match the entire connection before paying for extra headroom.
5. Match to what you are doing
| Goal | Buy |
|---|---|
| Laptop is slow and full | Check the exact slot's protocol, supported M.2 length/key and clearance before choosing |
| Upgrading a computer with a SATA-only slot or bay | Use the documented form factor: M.2 SATA and 2.5in SATA are not physically interchangeable. Confirm the exact model, not an approximate year |
| Storing photos, backups, travel | Portable SSD, or an enclosure with a drive you already own |
| 4K editing, large footage transfers | NVMe in a fast enclosure, with a matching port on the computer |
| PS5 expansion | A Gen4 NVMe meeting Sony's specification, with a heatsink |
The range is in memory cards & SSDs, with enclosures and other accessories in PC accessories.
6. One SSD is not a backup
Every photo on a single drive is uncomfortably close to having no backup at all. Keep at least two copies — one on the computer, one on an external drive — and put the irreplaceable material in the cloud as well. A common travel workflow: shoot to card, copy to the portable SSD each night, import at home. For cards, see our memory card guide.
FAQ
Should a backup SSD be powered up occasionally?
Data retention depends on the drive, wear, temperature and storage conditions. Follow the manufacturer's storage guidance, verify backup files regularly and keep another independent copy. Merely powering the drive occasionally does not prove that all stored data remains intact.
How is a portable SSD different from a USB stick?
Compare the exact models' interface and sustained-transfer evidence for the files you move. Controller, flash, cache and thermal design vary in both categories; neither a USB-C plug nor an SSD label alone guarantees sustained performance.
Do SSDs wear out?
Flash has finite write endurance, and some SSD specifications state TBW (total bytes written) under defined warranty conditions. Compare the model's rating with your workload; TBW is not a guaranteed failure date, and other faults are possible. Maintain backups even with light use.
Which format for both Mac and Windows?
exFAT if both must read and write; APFS for Mac only, NTFS for Windows only. exFAT is convenient but should not be the only copy of anything important.
Can I move my existing system to a new SSD?
Cloning tools exist, but on a machine that is a few years old, a clean install plus data restore is the tidier result. Back up before either.
Ordering and warranty
Kodak SSDs and ASUS enclosures are Hong Kong licensed stock with brand warranty. Confirm stock, delivery timing and collection arrangements before ordering. Our Kwun Tong location is for stock and collection. Unsure what your machine takes — WhatsApp +852 9847 9793 with the full model code and slot specification.
