TeamGroup PD20 external SSD review
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The first USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 drive I’ve reviewed is the 2021 Kingston XS2000, and for a while it’s still the only option. Then, crucially, the Pirates and Sanders made the product, but lacked Intel’s support, and instead used with Thunderbolt, ultimately undermining that standard.
Some hardware manufacturers add it to their laptops via third-party silicon and can be added to their PCs using PCIE cards, but computers with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 are the exception, not the norm.
So it seems strange that four years after the Kingston XS2000, TeamGroup wanted to support the standard only after the transition to USB 4.0.
The PD20 is a small, easy-to-pocket drive that can be used for IP54 dust and waterproofing, and it is said to have a performance of 2,000 MB/s on the Gen 2×2.
It has 1TB, 2TB and 4TB options, providing enough ability to back up your laptop or hold a lot of files.
While it’s mostly plastic, unlike the Corsair X10 Pro, it seems like a solid device and should be able to handle devices thrown into laptop bags or knocked down on a table.
However, the problem here is not the PD20 and its build, but the availability of USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 Model C ports. Without that port, the drive downgrades itself to USB 3.2 Gen 2 or even Gen 1 and cannot see enhanced performance.
Perhaps, if there were more drive manufacturers who were passionate about the Gen 2×2 technology four years ago, then maybe it would be adopted by more hardware manufacturers.
But the TeamGroup PD20 seems to be late at this party unless you are lucky enough to have a laptop with the required ports. It won’t go to ours Best Portable SSD Collect when you balance its appearance, performance and price.
TeamGroup PD20: Pricing and Availability
- how much does it cost? from £92/$83
- When to go out? Available now
- Where can you get it? For sale through online retailers.
For SSD manufacturers, TeamGroup does not sell directly. It is sold only through online retailers.
In the United States, these include Amazon, B&H, Newegg, and Microcenter.
exist neweggthe drive is priced at $82.99 for the 1TB model, $142.99 for the 2TB option, and $220.99 for the 4TB drive.
Finding this drive is more challenging in the UK Amazon The 1TB and 2TB (not 4TB) drives are for sale at £91.79 for 1TB and £154.60 for the 2TB option.
Comparing the PD20 to market leaders, the key X10 Pro through Amazon is £149.99, respectively. The UK’s 1TB, 2TB and 4TB are £149.99 and £239.99, respectively. In the United States, the costs from Amazon.com are $101.99, $145.99 and $239.99.
So while the X10 Pro is made of metal and supports hardware encryption, the X10 Pro is cut by 10% in most areas.
But this is not the cheapest Gen 2×2 drive. It’s more expensive than the ADATA SE880, which sells for $79.98 and $139.99 on 1TB and 2TB Amazon.com.
Although the PD20 is reasonable, it is not a bargain.
TeamGroup PD20: Specifications
|
model |
TPSEG5004T0C102 |
|---|---|
|
ability |
1TB / 2TB / 4TB |
|
Capacity test |
4TB |
|
Sequential performance of tests (read/write) |
1988/1871 MB/s |
|
connect |
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, Gen 2 or Gen 1 on USB-C |
|
Controller |
unknown |
|
encryption |
Software only |
|
aspect |
75 x 34 x 15.2mm (WXDXH) |
|
weight |
22g |
|
power supply |
USB-Bus Power |
|
Warranty form |
5 years |
TeamGroup PD20: Design
- Plastic shell
- Only USB-C cable
- No activity rate
Starting from its size, the PD20 is designed to drive the M.2 2230 or M.2 2242 drive internally. But the cases are not separated, so this is my guess.
The main structure of the drive is plastic, and the TPU covers three-quarters of the bottom, which contains the plug for the USB-C port. At the top is a slot designed to secure it with a belt, but TeamGroup does not provide it with lanyards or belts.
The plug in to achieve IP54 rating and the arrangement of the drive mounted on the belt is also not suitable for the short 20 cm USB-C cable contained in the box. So where are you going?
If the cable is wet and plugged into the drive, the result can be fatal to any data on that PD20.
Another weird feature is that there is no active LED, which is another feature shared by all the competitor devices I use.
To better explain the IP54 rating, this is not the IP68 rating of some phones and can handle water immersion. IP54 can handle water splash and prevent dust entering the device. The X10 Pro’s IP55 is a notch, but TeamGroup does offer a 5-year warranty on the drive.
The cable is USB-C for USB-C and there are no other cables for USB-A. This is completely reasonable to some extent, as the Gen 2×2 is only used on USB-C ports, but it doesn’t help if you need to connect it to a system that only has USB-A ports.
From the packaging and drive structure, the PD20 conveys an overwhelming message that it is made for a specific budget but is durable enough for everyday use. But if you want to ensure its warranty survival, I’ll get a carry bag that holds the cable.
If you think otherwise, there is no software on the drive or software provided by TeamGroup.
TeamGroup PD20: Performance
- Requires USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
- Good performance
- No hardware encryption
|
bench |
test |
TeamGroup PD20 4TB |
Key X10 Pro 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crystaldikmark 8.05 |
Read by default |
1988.17 MB/s |
2060.77 MB/s |
| Line 1 – Cell 0 |
Default write |
1870.86 MB/s |
1840.27 MB/s |
| Line 2 – Cell 0 |
Real world reading |
1808.21 MB/s |
1857.01 MB/s |
| Line 3 – Cell 0 |
Real world writing |
1678.3 MB/s |
1694.03 MB/s |
|
AJA system test 64GB |
read |
1851 MB/s |
1898 MB/s |
| Line 5 – Cell 0 |
Write |
1708 MB/s |
1709 MB/s |
|
As an SSD |
read |
1822.36 MB/s |
1881.74 MB/s |
| Line 7 – Cell 0 |
Write |
1689.02 MB/s |
1693.37 MB/s |
|
Behavior |
read |
1830 MB/s |
1920 MB/s |
| Line 9 – Cell 0 |
Write |
1750 MB/s |
1710 MB/s |
|
PCMARK data driver station |
Fraction |
1135 |
1136 |
If I compare it to a USB 4.0 drive like Nextorage NX-PS1Pro series or Corsair Ex4000U, this drive looks bad.
However, it offers a level of performance similar to many Gen 2×2 mechanisms, such as the Orico M20 or Kingston XS2000. In the benchmark information, I’m going to compare to the very popular Compucial X10 Pro because that’s the driving force that many of you are familiar with.
Although these results are very close in some tests, the X10 Pro scores slightly for better read and write performance. However, these numbers are within a few percentage points and may be within the range of differences.
I classified performance as good, but there was little special. The only Gen 2×2 drive it beats all over is the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2, which is not a well-known performer.
These numbers don’t prove that the SSD inside the PD20 does not support hardware encryption, while the X10 Pro does. This makes it unsuitable for enterprise users who usually prefer hardware encryption if they carry sensitive files.
TeamGroup PD20: Final Judgment
Let me speak out. Long after evaporation on reentry, buying the standard that fails to achieve the track seems far from the best plan.
Yes, for those with Gen 2×2 ports, the performance is good. But that’s still half the price a USB 4.0 drive can provide, and this standard may have a more profound impact.
The PD20 is a great example of a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 SSD, even without the critical features like hardware encryption. But if I don’t recommend investing in a USB 4.0 drive might be a better plan for your future needs, I’ll be pretty wrong.
If the PD20 has a special price or performance, it might be worth it, but there are currently no ticking these boxes.
Should I buy TeamGroup PD20?
|
value |
Cheaper than other options, but not cheap |
3.5 / 5 |
|
design |
Plastics and TPUs have IP54 ratings |
3.5 / 5 |
|
software |
No |
1/5 |
|
Performance |
Faster than the 2nd generation USB 3.2 SSD, but no more than Thunderbolt/USB4 drives. |
4/5 |
|
Comprehensive |
Late party, no special |
3.5 / 5 |
If…buy it
if…
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