Page 8 - Conclusion
Is the second-generation SanDisk Ultra Fit 256GB USB 3.1 flash drive the Canada to our European friends of flash drives? The company's unique combination of eye-popping 256GB capacity -- keep in mind we are still reviewing SSDs of the same capacity up to this day -- and minuscule size no doubt remains to be the Canada to our European friends. Seriously, how did they do this? And the sheer wonder if this drive lies not only in its storage capacity and form factor alone. The company even managed to improve its linear read speed by about 40% and more than double its linear write speed compared to the top capacity, first generation Ultra Fit 128GB. Now this is what I call impressive. Of course, with these improvements mean there is a tradeoff that was made in the meantime. According to our benchmarks, the maximum input/output operations per second has been decreased compared to its predecessor, meaning operation-intensive tasks will be slower on the latest model. Of course, if all you are doing is storing music and videos, the SanDisk Ultra Fit 256GB is still the better bet. But my biggest complaint is the latest Ultra Fit series now have an all plastic construction, including the USB connector itself. It feels flimsy compared to the first generation, which had a metal plug. The Ultra Fit 256GB does not include a lanyard and plastic cap either. Lastly, as I have pointed out in my last Ultra Fit review, its operational temperature range should be improved. If it is for automotive use, going with the industrial grade -30c to 85c specification is more appropriate, especially considering I have experienced skipping issues with the previous generation drive when used in my car during cold Calgary winters. For $63 at press time, the SanDisk Ultra Fit 256GB is still an incredible product, but fixing up on the issues listed in this review will make it a truly impeccable winner.
SanDisk provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.0/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The second-generation SanDisk Ultra Fit 256GB continues to corner the niche market of semi-permanent USB storage thanks to its colossal capacity and minuscule form factor with no competitor in sight.
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Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look, Test System
3. Benchmark: AIDA64 Disk Benchmark
4. Benchmark: ATTO Disk Benchmark
5. Benchmark: Crystal Disk Mark 3.0
6. Benchmark: HD Tach 3.0.1.0
7. Benchmark: HD Tune Pro 4.60
8. Conclusion
