SK Hynix is no stranger to computer storage SK Hynix, especially since they are a world-leading manufacturer of memory, – DRAM, NAND Flash, etc. However, it’s their SSD products that are only sold direct to consumers. We have even looked at a couple of their products here – the Platinum P41 and the portable Beetle X31. Both were incredible products. We’re now checking out the SK Hynix Tube T31 portable SSD featuring NVMe with a thumb drive form factor.
The SK Hynix Tube T31 is about the size of a pack of bubble gum. It’s larger than your average thumb drive, but smaller than your typical portable SSD. What makes this unique is the thumb drive form factor with an integrated USB. That means you don’t need to plug in a separate USB cable to use it. That makes this much more convenient to carry around.
However, the look of the Tube T31 is far from what I’d call attractive and is fairly plain in comparison to the Beetle X31. The all matte black finish does it give a stealth look and makes it less attention grabbing.
To use it, simply pop off the removable cap and plug it into your computer’s USB port. If you only have USB-C ports, you’ll need to use an adapter. On a side note, I wish there was a place to store the cap when not in use, or a strap or attachment of some sort to keep it close to the stick. At the moment, it’s a piece that I worry will get lost eventually.
In terms of actual use, the SK Hynix Tube T31 is fast! Most USB thumb drives I’ve used are slow, especially when transferring large files or a large number of files at once. The drive is also fast enough to install games on if you happen to be low on internal storage space. I use it mainly for backup files and offloading photos and video from my phone, iPad, and work laptop. Overall I’m very happy with the speeds and being able to carry so much storage in a tiny package.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While the SK Hynix Tube T31 is larger than your average thumb drive, it still is relatively portable. And to be honest, the slightly larger size is a tradeoff I’m willing to make for much faster speeds and convenience. This is a lot of extra storage you can just carry around in your pocket without the need for extra cables. Because of this, I carry the Tube T31 everywhere I go now.
