Lexar NS100 2TB 2.5-inch SATA SSD: features, specs and who it suits

The Lexar NS100 is a 2.5-inch SATA III solid state drive, and this version stores 2TB. It is designed as a straightforward upgrade for laptops and desktops that still use a hard drive or an older SSD. Here is what its specifications mean and how to tell whether it fits your computer.

What an SSD changes

A solid state drive stores data on flash memory chips instead of spinning platters. In general, that means faster start-ups, quicker application loading and faster file transfers than a hard drive. Lexar says the NS100 offers faster performance and better reliability than traditional hard drives, and that it is shock and vibration resistant because it has no moving parts. Having no moving parts also means it is typically cooler and quieter.

The 550MB/s figure

Lexar rates sequential read speeds at up to 550MB/s. That is close to the practical ceiling of the SATA III interface, which runs at 6Gb/s. Newer NVMe drives are many times faster, but they need an M.2 slot. A SATA drive like this suits systems that only have a 2.5-inch bay or SATA connection, where the interface would not allow more anyway. "Up to" means a best case measured in the brand's test setup. Speeds in everyday use vary with file sizes and drive fill level.

2TB capacity and the 960TBW figure

For the 2TB model, Lexar lists 960TBW. TBW stands for terabytes written, the total amount of data Lexar says can be written to the drive over its life. At 960TBW, a typical user, who might write a few tens of gigabytes a day, is unlikely to approach the limit in normal home use. Lexar also gives a three-year limited support period.

Lexar says the range goes from 128GB to 2TB. At 2TB there is room for a large game library, photo archive or a laptop's whole system and data, which can make cloning an old drive easier.

Fitting it

The drive is 2.5 inches, about 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches including packaging dimensions given in the listing, and very light. It connects with a standard SATA data cable and, in a desktop, a SATA power connector. In a laptop, it usually replaces the existing 2.5-inch drive in a bay. Many laptops use a 7mm-thick drive, so check your bay's maximum thickness.

Migrating from an old drive is usually done by cloning it with software or doing a fresh operating-system install. Back up important files first.

Who it suits

It suits owners of older laptops and desktops who want faster start-up and loading without replacing the whole machine, and anyone adding fast, quiet secondary storage. It is a poor fit for a system with only M.2 slots, and for people who need the highest speeds in video editing or large file work.

What to check before you buy

• Bay and thickness: confirm your computer has a 2.5-inch bay and what thickness it takes.
• Interface: a SATA connection is needed, and an M.2 or NVMe-only slot won't work.
• Cloning or fresh install: decide how you will move your data, and back up first.
• Cables and mounting: a desktop may need a SATA cable and a mounting bracket.
• Capacity: 2TB is the capacity of this version, so check it is the size you need.

The short version

• A 2TB, 2.5-inch SATA III (6Gb/s) internal SSD.
• Sequential reads up to 550MB/s, per Lexar.
• 960TBW endurance figure for the 2TB model and three-year limited support.
• No moving parts, shock and vibration resistant.
• Needs a 2.5-inch SATA bay or connection.

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