Integral Memory SlimXpress 1TB portable SSD review: a solid performer with a great price tag
Integral Memory SlimExpress: One Minute Review
Integral memory may not be a household name in the global storage market, but it has carved a niche in the UK, where it caught my attention in 2016, which was way back then. largest ssd Ever, the SVR100 and its massive 8TB capacity. I've got myself the SlimExpress, its latest external SSD. It cannot be denied that there is a lot of similarity between Integral Memory's Metal Champion and . Netac Z Slim Which we reviewed recently. However the one we're reviewing today differs on three important points: it's only available in the UK, is much faster and has a shorter warranty. Plus the solid black aluminum chassis that protects the delicate electronic components, the location of the USB ports, and the short cables lead me to believe that both Netac and Integral are using the same original design manufacturer (ODM).
However SlimExpress manages to put itself ahead of Netac when it comes to pricing and performance, establishing itself as a viable alternative to better established brands, although not by much. No bigger than a pack of chewing gum (just 106mm x 32mm x 9mm), it offers USB 3.2 Gen 2, which is the highest mainstream speed (USB 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and Thunderbolt are still very niche technologies) and I'd wish Integral had bundled a data recovery software or a backup application Of any kind.
Integral Memory SlimXpress: Pricing and Availability
- How much does it cost? £55.99
- When is it available?
- Where can you get it? It is only available in UK
as our potential candidate best portable ssd After purchasing the guide, SlimExpress loses availability as it is a UK only product. It is available in capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB; I reviewed the 1TB model.
Integral Memory SlimXpress: Benchmark
Overall, the Integral delivered advertised 1.05/1GBps speeds, getting closer to 1.1GBps on CDM writes and into 1GBps territory on CDM writes, which is commendable. The drive did get warm due to extensive use, which was to be expected. I didn't test the drive with the bundled adapter, but I'd recommend sticking to USB Type-C to enjoy higher transfer rates.
| row 0 – cell 0 | Read (Mbps) | write (Mbps) |
| aja | 940 | 859 |
| crystaldiskmark | 1074 | 1001 |
| On doing | 1024 | 954 |
| as ssd | 954 | 847 |
| real life | 459 | 459 |
Integral Memory SlimExpress: Specifications
| row 0 – cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 |
| Capabilities available | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| size | 71.5 x 43.5 x 8 mm |
| weight | 23 grams |
| enclosure material | Metal |
| additive | USB-C |
| technology | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Warranty (in years) | 2 |
| Rated R/W Speed(Mbps) | 2000/1700 |
| software bundle | No |
Should I buy the Integral Memory SlimXpress?
Integral Memory SlimXpress Option
| row 0 – cell 0 | Netac Z Slim | vital x8 | vital x6 |
| Capacity | 1TB | 1TB | 1TB |
| price | £48.71 | £56.99 | £50.99 |
| pace | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| ip rated | No | No | Yes |
| Warranty (years) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Netac's Z Slim looks like its twin brother to the SlimExpress 1TB and is 15% cheaper than its rival with a longer warranty. However, it is also very slow which reduces its appeal. However keep in mind that prices change all the time. As I was finishing this review, Netac offered a 20% discount on the ZX10, a faster version of the Z Slim. The discount brought its price down in line with the Integral SlimExpress but with a much longer warranty.
vital x8 It's only a few pounds more expensive and matches the Integral's performance while offering a longer warranty. Support from Micron, one of the world's largest memory manufacturers, gives it an edge over SlimXpress
vital x6 The above is a slower, cheaper and smaller version of the X8. It competes with the Z Slim but is also considered because of its longer warranty and the presence of Micron as the original brand.
How I tested the Integral Memory SlimXpress
After formatting the integral SlimXpress to exFAT, I test it the same way I test other storage components (external hdd, micro SD card etc). I use the latest versions of CrystalDiskMark, ATO, AS SSD and AJA benchmarks, noting the best scores obtained in each. All of these are free and anyone can download them. Then I transfer a folder of files about 10GB in size to get a rough idea of real-life performance.
