In for a quick review is the PD20 ECO Mini. As the name suggest, this is an eco-friendly external SSD developed by TEAMGROUP for its green-drive initiative. It retails for about $85 USD.
Disclosure: TEAMGROUP provided the PD20 Eco Mini for this storage review. The company did not request any specific commentary about the product.
Update (24/11/02): The TEAMGROUP PD20 ECO Mini External SSD is now available at Lazada for ₱5,999 PHP.
Table of Contents
Technical Specifications
The PD20 Eco Mini is an eco-friendly external SSD made from PCR plastic, designed to support green initiatives. As for speed ratings, the PD20 offers 1000 MB/s read and 950 MB/s write speeds – both for the 1 TB and 2 TB models. The drive is also IP54-certified for dust and water resistance and comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty.
Storage | |
---|---|
Capacity | 1 TB |
Flash Controller | N/A |
Flash Memory | N/A |
Form Factor | External SSD |
Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Sequential Read | 1000 MB/s |
Sequential Write | 950 MB/s |
Random Read | N/A |
Random Write | N/A |
Endurance | |
MTBF | N/A |
TBW | N/A |
Dimensions | |
Length | 75 mm |
Width | 34 mm |
Height | 15.2 mm |
Weight | 22 grams |
Packaging and Accessories
The PD20 ECO Mini comes in a simple packaging.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- TEAMGROUP PD20 ECO Mini (1 TB) external SSD
- USB Type-C to Type-C cable
Packaged sustainably, the PD20 ECO Mini comes with the bare minimum.
Design, Build and Connectivity
The PD20 ECO Mini is an external SSD with an appealing marbled appearance, likely a result of incorporating recycled plastic pellets in the injection molding process. The drive also comes with a ribbed translucent TPU cover. That probably granted its IP54 certification and should help with shock resistance as well.
Located opposite the lanyard holder is the USB Type-C port, which can be accessed by flipping its TPU cover. It accommodates any USB Type-C data cable, but using a 20 Gbps cable is highly recommended to fully utilize its speed.
One notable aspect of the PD20 ECO Mini is its lightweight nature despite its size. While not exactly “mini” by flash drive standards, as it’s comparable in size to a small vaping pod, it is quite pleasant to hold and fiddle with, thanks to the combination of contrasting materials.
Throughput
The PD20 ECO Mini easily went past its speed rating at the CrystalDiskMark benchmark with a sequential read and write performance of 1094.62 MB/s and 1031.07 MB/s respectively.
IOPS
The PD20 ECO Mini’s highest recorded Input/Output per Second are approximately 47.5K for read and 60.6K for write. While these figures don’t match NVMe drives, they are quite satisfactory for an external SSD. Even better compared to lets say, the Kingston XS1000.
Access Time
Now access time performance is good for what the PD20 ECO Mini is. These are not trail blazing speeds but it is plenty fast for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface drive.
File Copy
The PD20 ECO Mini’s file copy performance is decent. Highest recorded is at the simulated program file copy performance, reaching 40 seconds max at 5 GB.
Compression
The drive’s read performance remains mostly stable; however, this is not the case for the write performance, which exhibits significant fluctuations, with the lowest recorded at 794.664 MB/s.
Cache
Regarding the cache, or more specifically, the sustained read and write performance, the PD20 ECO Mini performs adequately. However, don’t be misled by the high read performance, as this aspect of the benchmark depends on the primary drive. On the other hand, the write performance diminishes after 50 GB of data is written and then declines further after approximately 250 GB.
Temperature
Although its operating temperature is rated at 70°C, this figure refers to the ambient environmental temperature, not the drive’s thermal threshold. For a drive made mostly out of plastic – at least on the outside, the PD20 ECO Mini performed well within its limits.
Final Thoughts
The TEAMGROUP PD20 ECO Mini SSD is a compelling choice for those seeking an eco-friendly, performance oriented external drive without the unnecessary bulk. Its PCR plastic construction and streamlined packaging has shown the brand’s commitment to sustainability, while the IP54-rated design offers resilience against dust and moisture – an advantage for users on the go.
In terms of performance, the PD20 ECO Mini holds its own, exceeding its advertised speeds on sequential read and write tests, and demonstrating consistent performance across various benchmarks. Its IOPS and access times make it a viable option for general-purpose data storage, even if it doesn’t compete directly with NVMe speeds. The occasional fluctuation in write performance and the eventual cache slowdown after extended use are worth noting though, but these trade-offs are balanced by its rock solid read speeds and reliable file transfer rates for everyday use.
Overall, the PD20 ECO Mini delivers an impressive blend of eco-conscious design, reliable speed, and durability. Its lightweight build, ease of use, and practical features like USB Type-C support make it a well-rounded choice for those prioritizing sustainability and functionality in their portable storage solutions.
TEAMGROUP PD20 ECO Mini (1 TB) $85
Product Name: PD20 ECO Mini
Product Description: The PD20 Eco Mini is an environmentally conscious external SSD constructed from PCR plastic to support green initiatives. This drive boasts IP54 certification for dust and water resistance and includes a three-year manufacturer's warranty.
Brand: TEAMGROUP
Summary
The TEAMGROUP PD20 ECO Mini SSD combines eco-friendly design with a rock solid performance, making it a great choice for those who prioritize sustainability. Made from PCR plastic, this IP54-rated SSD is durable and resistant to dust and water. It performs well, even exceeding its rated read and write speeds, although write performance can dip after prolonged use. Lightweight, compact, and compatible with high-speed USB Type-C, the PD20 ECO Mini is a practical, environmentally-conscious option for reliable, everyday data storage.
Pros
- Made from PCR plastic and packaged sustainably, supporting green initiatives
- IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, plus a ribbed TPU cover for added shock protection
- Exceeds advertised read and write speeds, reaching over 1000 MB/s in tests
- Lightweight with a compact design, easy to carry and handle
Cons
- Write speeds decline after 50 GB, with further reduction after about 250 GB of continuous writing
- Not exactly “mini” for USB flash standards