So today we'll be reviewing the Silicon Power M10 SSD, the drive we received is the 64GBversion.

Silicon Power introduced this new series SSD for external use under the M10 series. The device has dimensions of 100 x 69.85 x 9.5 mm, weighs 70 grams and it is available in models with a capacity of 32, 64, 128 and 256 GB.

The concept of the device is that it will and can function as external SSD, carried around. There's no need for a heavy HDD bay and adapter to carry along. As such it comes in a stylish and attractive design and is equipped with interface USB (connector mini USB) and SATA II connector for data transfers at speeds of 3 Gbps.

So to recap that, the drive features a dual interface, USB and SATA II, it can be installed internally or used as an external hard drive. When used as an external hard drive.

Product Features

• Standard 2.5 inch SATA II SSD
• Dual interface: mini USB (for external storage use)
• Light weight and convenient to carry
• Green product and is in compliance with European RoHS Directives
• Excellent performance and reliability
• Low power consumption, shock and vibration proof
• Noiseless operation, no latency delay and no seek error
• Capacities available: 32GB/64GB/128GB/256GB
• Dimension: 100mm X69.85mm X9.5mm
• Weight: 70g
• Durability: plug tested for at least 10,000 times
• Operating voltage: 4.5V~5.5V
• Operating temperature: 0ºC ~ 70ºC
• Storage temperature: -40ºC ~ 85ºC
• Humidity: 8% to 95%
• Vibration test: 15G peak-to-peak max
• Shock test: 1500G Max
• Warranty: 2 years

In addition, the flash drive is protected from bumps and shocks with the efficiency up to 1500 G. The Silicon Power M10 External SSD is equipped with a two-year warranty from the manufacturer. Now since the product is not intended to be a primary drive, but more a portable storage unit, this is not an expensive cache based SSD.

I've opened it up, let's have a look at the innards:

In the above photo we see the SSD all nekked. To the left the Samsung flash (MLC) memory chips, Now we tried removing the PCB from the housing but it's just mounted so secure that we where afraid of damaging it. However I can say with 99% certainty that on the other side of that PCB a JMicron controller can be found. the JMicron controllers got a bit of a reputation for not having large cache memory capability. But for a device with a purpose of being an external storage unit, it'll be more than sufficient.

These are the advertised performance numbers:

• SATA -- Read up to 165MB/s, Write up to 95MB/s
• mini USB2.0 -- Read up to 35MB/s, Write up to 25MB/s

Now let's be honest here, these are pretty decent numbers for external storage. Though the USB connector will definitely trim down that performance a lot. Silicon power will release four SKUs based on this model.

• 256GB SP256GBSSDM10S25(MLC)
• 128GB SP128GBSSDM10S25(MLC)
• 64GB SP064GBSSDM10S25(MLC)
• 32GB SP032GBSSDM10S25(MLC)

The drive we are testing today will cost you the pretty sum of roughly 150~199 USD and it is armed with a two year warranty. On the topic of warranty, the one thing I'd like to see improved is warranty, we say 5 years would be a very plausible term in this price range.