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technology1d ago
How to protect yourself from bad external SSDs during the PC hardware apocalypse – newer drives will definitely cost more, and some may offer up shockingly poor performance
- AI-driven demand has pushed external SSD prices higher and tightened supply in 2026.
- New external drives this year may cost more and deliver poor performance according to tests.
- A review found an Orico external SSD with very slow sustained writes, undercutting expectations.
- Manufacturers may use lower-quality NAND in newer external drives amid AI demand.
- Experts advise buying established, tested drives from before AI-driven shortages.
- SanDisk’s new mid-range 20 Gbps drives may not clearly outperform established options.
- The article suggests stock could tighten further if AI demand continues.
- Tom’s Hardware summarizes that older drives remain a safer value in the short term.
- The article notes uncertainty around new external SSDs’ endurance and performance.
- The piece indicates broader market implications for AI storage supply chains.
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