fanxiang S100 2TB SATA SSD: specs, speeds and compatibility

The fanxiang S100 is a 2.5-inch SATA solid state drive with 2TB of storage. It is a drop-in replacement for the hard drive or older SSD in many laptops and desktops, and it can also add storage to a machine that has a spare 2.5-inch bay.

SATA III and the 550MB/s ceiling

The S100 connects through a SATA III interface, which runs at 6Gb/s. In practice, that limits SATA drives to roughly 550MB/s, and fanxiang rates this one at up to 550MB/s read and 500MB/s write. Those are peak figures for sequential transfers, so everyday speeds depend on the file types and the rest of the system.

For context, newer NVMe drives can be several times faster, but they use a different slot. A SATA drive is the right choice where the machine only has a 2.5-inch SATA bay, or where the extra speed of NVMe wouldn't make much difference in daily use.

What 3D NAND TLC means

The drive uses 3D NAND flash with TLC (triple-level cell) storage, which stores three bits per cell. This is the standard approach for larger consumer drives, because it allows high capacity in a small package. fanxiang also mentions an SLC cache. This sets aside part of the flash to act as fast temporary storage for incoming writes. Speeds in general can drop once a long, continuous write fills that cache.

Replacing a hard drive

Fanxiang says the S100 can replace an HDD to speed up the computer and shorten boot time. An SSD has no spinning platters, so it generally starts programs and loads files faster and handles bumps better. The brand describes a sturdy case that resists certain shocks, and the lack of moving parts is why SSDs typically tolerate movement better than hard drives.

If you replace your system drive, you will need to either clone the old drive to the new one or install the operating system fresh. Back up important files first.

Compatibility

Fanxiang lists compatibility with laptops, desktops and all-in-one computers, and with Windows, Linux, Unix and macOS. The listing also names the PS4. The drive measures about 3.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches (10 x 7 x 0.7 cm) and weighs about 0.1 lb (roughly 45 g). The 0.3-inch thickness is below 7mm, which fits slim laptop bays. Check your machine's bay if it is unusually shallow.

Warranty

fanxiang states a 5-year after-sales service.

Who it suits

It suits owners of older laptops and desktops that use 2.5-inch drives, and anyone who wants a large SATA drive for storing a library of files, photos or games.

What to check before you buy

• Interface: confirm your machine has a 2.5-inch SATA connection, not only an M.2 slot.
• Installation: check how your laptop opens, and whether you need a bracket or adapter for a desktop bay.
• Cloning or reinstalling: plan how you will move your data across.
• Capacity listing: the listing text mentions both 2TB and 1TB, so confirm you are getting the 2TB S100-2TB model.
• Backups: keep a backup of important data, as with any drive.

The short version

• A 2TB 2.5-inch SATA III SSD using 3D NAND TLC with an SLC cache.
• Rated at up to 550MB/s read and 500MB/s write.
• Compatible with laptops, desktops, all-in-ones and several operating systems.
• Under 7mm thick and about 0.1 lb.
• 5-year after-sales service stated by fanxiang.

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