The Lexar ARMOR 700 Portable SSD features a robust IP66 rating, signifying its resistance to dust and water, which enhances its suitability for travel. This solid state drive (SSD) is specifically designed to withstand drops of up to 3 meters, targeting professional photographers, videographers, and content creators who require durable storage solutions in varying environmental conditions. The device leverages USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 technology, delivering maximum read/write speeds of up to 2000MB/s, facilitating swift data transfer and efficient workflow management. Such speeds are beneficial for handling large files and high-resolution formats, including Apple Pro Res, allowing direct recording in up to 4K 60FPS from devices like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Despite its high performance, the SSD maintains optimal temperature levels even during intense operations, ensuring consistent performance without thermal throttling. It supports a broad range of devices beyond Apple products, including PCs, Macs, Android devices, cameras, and gaming consoles such as Xbox X|S, PS4, and PS5. This wide compatibility is aided by the inclusion of a Type-C and USB-A all-in-one cable, which simplifies connection to various hardware without the need for additional adapters.

Additionally, the Lexar ARMOR 700 Portable SSD incorporates Lexar DataShield for enhanced security. This feature uses 25

6-bit AES encryption to protect sensitive data, which is critical for users dealing with confidential or proprietary information.

The 2TB Portable SSD is enclosed in a compact, sophisticated cardboard box. The Lexar emblem is prominently displayed at the top, with an image of the SSD in the center. Portable SSDs are designed with an integrated drive and controller, often bridging communication with devices via PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interfaces, facilitating speeds up to 20 Gbps. The inclusion of the Silicon Motion SM2320 processor, known for its compact, efficient design capable of supporting up to 4TB of storage, enhances the product's appeal. The single-chip architecture optimizes space and cost, despite some limitations.

The SSD is equipped with a USB Type-C connector, supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standards for peak transfer speeds of 20 Gbps, and is backward-compatible with previous USB versions. However, the full potential of these speeds is only achievable with compatible ports, which are primarily found on high-end desktop motherboards. We've put together a short USB4 refresher, explaining the fundamentals of the standard, including its important features like protocol tunnelling, Alt Mode, and power delivery, and how they compare to previous versions.