Sharge's Disk Pro combines a 10 Gbps SSD with a USB/HDMI hub and active cooling in a compact, transparent design. While expensive, it offers excellent sustained write performance and useful travel features for laptops with limited ports.
Sharge's Disk Pro portable SSD stands out in a crowded market by combining solid performance with thoughtful features that address real-world portability needs. This 2TB drive pairs a 10 Gbps SSD with a built-in USB/HDMI hub and active cooling, all wrapped in the company's signature translucent design.
Design and Features
The Disk Pro's most distinctive feature is its integrated hub, which includes HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0 ports alongside the main USB-C connection. The drive ships with a permanently attached USB-C cable that clips into the hub when not in use, though this short three-inch cable could be a durability concern over time.
The transparent shell reveals the internal components, including the controller and cooling system. A built-in fan automatically adjusts between 7,000 and 10,000 RPM based on temperature, with a manual Turbo Mode button that forces the fan to maintain 50°C for heavy workloads. The metal back features a magnetic surface compatible with MagSafe devices, and Sharge includes two adhesive metal rings for attaching the drive to laptops or gaming handhelds.
Performance Testing
In synthetic benchmarks, the Disk Pro performs well for its class:
- PCMark 10 Storage Benchmark: Scored 1171, beating most 10 Gbps competitors
- CrystalDiskMark Sequential Read/Write: Achieved speeds above 1,000 MB/s
- Sustained Write Performance: Maintained 930+ MB/s throughout 30-minute stress testing
The drive's sustained write performance is particularly impressive, maintaining near-maximum speeds even under prolonged heavy workloads. This is likely aided by the active cooling system, which prevents thermal throttling that plagues many portable SSDs.
Real-World Considerations
While the Disk Pro excels in performance and features, it comes with significant trade-offs:
Pros:
- Built-in hub genuinely useful for travel
- Excellent sustained write speeds
- Active cooling prevents thermal throttling
- SSD can be powered off independently of the hub
- MagSafe-compatible magnetic back
Cons:
- Expensive at $379 for 2TB (recently increased from $365)
- USB-C port in hub won't accept bulky cable connectors
- Permanently attached cable may fail over time
- No included software or pre-formatted drive
Market Context
The Disk Pro's pricing reflects broader storage market trends, with costs rising due to AI-driven demand. While competitors like Crucial's X9 Pro offer better value at $173 for 1TB, they lack the Disk Pro's integrated features. A comparable compact hub alone costs $20-30, making the feature premium significant.
For users with port-limited laptops or those who frequently work on the go, the Disk Pro's combination of performance, cooling, and connectivity may justify the premium. However, budget-conscious buyers might prefer separate, less expensive components that offer similar functionality.
The drive's compact size (90 x 61 x 11 mm) and cassette-tape-like appearance make it both portable and visually distinctive. While the cramped USB-C port in the hub is inconvenient, the overall package represents genuine innovation in the portable SSD category, particularly for users who prioritize connectivity and sustained performance over pure cost efficiency.
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