fanxiang S101 1TB SATA SSD (2.5-inch): features, specs and who it suits

The fanxiang S101 is a 1TB solid state drive in the 2.5-inch format, connecting over SATA III (6Gb/s). That is the same shape and connection as a traditional laptop hard drive, so it is commonly used to bring an older computer up to date. Here is what the listed specifications mean.

2.5-inch SATA III

SATA III is the long-standing storage connection used by 2.5-inch drives, with a ceiling of about 600MB/s in practice. fanxiang lists reads up to 550MB/s, which is close to what the interface allows. That is much faster than a mechanical hard disk, but slower than modern M.2 NVMe drives. Its main advantage is fit: it works in older laptops, desktops and all-in-one PCs that have a 2.5-inch bay or SATA connector. The drive measures about 3.9 × 2.7 × 0.3 inches (99 × 69 × 7 mm).

What changes compared with a hard drive

fanxiang says a 1TB SATA SSD boots up "at least 50% faster" than an HDD. A solid state drive has no spinning platter, so programs open faster and the system feels more responsive. Exact results depend on the computer, its operating system and the previous drive. There are no moving parts, which also makes the drive silent.

3D NAND TLC

The drive uses 3D NAND TLC chips. TLC stores three bits per cell, and fanxiang contrasts it with QLC (four bits per cell), saying it offers longer write life. In general, TLC drives sustain writing better than QLC, although for typical home use both last for years. The listing does not give a TBW endurance figure.

Compatibility

The brand lists desktops, laptops and all-in-one computers, with support for Windows, Linux and macOS. In older machines, check that the drive bay and SATA port are present. A laptop with only an M.2 slot, or one that uses a thinner drive, needs a different product. For a desktop with a 3.5-inch bay, a mounting bracket may be needed.

Assurance

The brand lists a three-year warranty. Read the terms for your region.

Who it suits

It is a natural choice for upgrading a system whose main drive is a hard disk, for adding extra storage to a desktop with a spare SATA port, or for reviving an older laptop.

What to check before you buy

• Interface: confirm that the machine has a 2.5-inch bay or SATA connector.
• Height: this drive is thin at about 7 mm, but some ultrabooks need still thinner drives.
• Cloning: decide whether you will reinstall the operating system or copy the old drive, which usually needs a USB adapter and software.
• Cables and brackets: a desktop may need a SATA data cable, power connector or 3.5-inch adapter.
• Backups: back up your data before swapping drives.

The short version

• A 1TB 2.5-inch SATA III solid state drive.
• Reads up to 550MB/s, at about the limit of the SATA interface.
• 3D NAND TLC chips.
• Works with Windows, Linux and macOS on desktops, laptops and all-in-ones.
• Three-year warranty from fanxiang.

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