Key Takeaways
Crucial X9 is the more affordable option with great performance for everyday users. Crucial X9 Pro offers superior speeds and extra features that cater to professionals and those needing maximum performance. Both offer solid durability and a wide range of storage capacities, with differences in speed, connectivity, and additional tools.
When it comes to external storage, Crucial has long been a trusted brand.
Among its popular offerings are the Crucial X9 and X9 Pro portable SSDs.
These devices stand out in the market for their speed, reliability, and storage capacity.
However, choosing between the Crucial X9 and the X9 Pro can be a difficult decision, as both have their strengths.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key differences between these two models, helping you decide which one fits your needs better.
Design & Build Quality Comparison
The design of any external storage device can influence its usability and longevity. Both the Crucial X9 and X9 Pro are well-constructed, but they differ in some key design aspects.
Crucial X9 Design
The Crucial X9 features a sleek, minimalistic design with a rugged exterior made of anodized aluminum.
Its compact size (roughly the size of a credit card) makes it highly portable, ideal for users who need to carry it around frequently.
The device weighs about 40 grams, which is relatively lightweight for an external SSD.
The outer shell of the X9 provides decent protection against minor bumps and drops.
However, while it offers a sturdy build, it is not as ruggedized as the X9 Pro. It’s ideal for general everyday use but might not withstand heavy impacts in extreme conditions.
Crucial X9 Pro Design
The X9 Pro, on the other hand, is designed with durability in mind.
It has the same anodized aluminum finish, but the casing of the X9 Pro is reinforced to provide better protection against drops and physical impacts.
It is rated to be more shock-resistant, making it a solid choice for users who need to ensure that their data stays safe during travel or in rugged environments.
The X9 Pro is slightly larger and heavier than the standard X9 (weighing approximately 60 grams), but this additional weight is a tradeoff for the enhanced protection it provides. It’s still very portable, but users will notice the difference in size and weight when compared to the X9.
Storage Capacities & Performance Analysis
Crucial X9 Storage Capacities
The Crucial X9 offers a range of storage capacities, starting from 500GB up to 2TB. For most casual users, this range is more than enough, offering ample space for media files, documents, and backups.
The X9’s performance is solid, with speeds reaching up to 800MB/s, which makes it great for tasks like file transfers, media editing, and gaming.
Crucial X9 Pro Storage Capacities
In contrast, the X9 Pro ups the ante with larger capacities and higher performance. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options, it gives users much more room to store larger data sets, such as high-resolution video files, large project files, and databases.
When it comes to performance, the X9 Pro offers significantly faster speeds, with read speeds reaching up to 2000MB/s, which is more than double the performance of the X9.
This makes the X9 Pro a better choice for professionals who need to handle high-speed data transfers regularly, such as video editors or 3D rendering specialists.
Performance Summary
Model |
Maximum Speed |
Storage Capacity Options |
X9 |
800MB/s |
500GB – 2TB |
X9 Pro |
2000MB/s |
1TB – 4TB |
Interface & Connectivity Differences
Crucial X9 Connectivity
The Crucial X9 connects via USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, which ensures fast data transfers, but its maximum speed is limited by the 800MB/s throughput.
This makes the X9 ideal for everyday users who need to quickly move files or work with moderately demanding applications.
Crucial X9 Pro Connectivity
On the other hand, the Crucial X9 Pro comes with the same USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface, but it supports a higher data throughput, enabling the device to deliver speeds of up to 2000MB/s.
This increased performance is critical for users who need to handle heavy workloads, such as high-resolution video editing or data-intensive applications.
The X9 Pro’s faster interface ensures that the device can handle data-heavy tasks with ease.
Additionally, the X9 Pro is backward compatible with older USB ports (USB 3.0 and 2.0), but users won’t experience the full speed unless connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port or higher.
Data Security Features: X9 vs X9 Pro
Data security is a crucial consideration when choosing an external SSD, particularly for professional and business use.
Crucial X9 Security Features
The Crucial X9 comes with standard security features, including hardware encryption support to keep your data safe.
While it doesn’t have the more advanced security features of the X9 Pro, it offers reliable protection for everyday use.
It’s suitable for casual users who need to keep their files safe but don’t require advanced encryption or security features.
Crucial X9 Pro Security Features
The X9 Pro takes data protection a step further with support for AES 256-bit hardware encryption.
This ensures that your data is encrypted at the hardware level, providing an extra layer of security, especially useful for professionals dealing with sensitive data.
The added encryption ensures that even if the device is lost or stolen, your data remains protected and inaccessible.
Software & Additional Tools
Crucial X9 Software
The X9 comes with Crucial Storage Executive software, which allows users to manage the device, perform firmware updates, and monitor the health of their SSD.
It’s a simple and straightforward tool, perfect for everyday users who want to ensure that their SSD is running smoothly.
Crucial X9 Pro Software
The X9 Pro also includes Crucial Storage Executive, but it has additional tools for managing the high-speed performance and data protection features of the device.
It allows users to perform more advanced tasks such as configuring encryption settings and optimizing the drive’s performance based on specific workloads.
Pros & Cons of Crucial X9 vs X9 Pro
Crucial X9 Pros
- Affordable price point
- Compact and lightweight design
- Reliable speeds for general use
- Adequate protection for everyday use
- Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options
Crucial X9 Cons
- Slower speeds compared to the X9 Pro
- Less storage capacity options
- Lacks advanced encryption features
Crucial X9 Pro Pros
- Ultra-fast data transfer speeds (up to 2000MB/s)
- Higher storage capacity options (up to 4TB)
- Enhanced durability with shock-resistant design
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption for added security
- Ideal for professionals needing high-performance storage
Crucial X9 Pro Cons
- Higher price point
- Slightly larger and heavier than the X9
- Overkill for casual users who don’t need advanced features
FAQs
Which is better for casual users, the X9 or X9 Pro?
For casual users, the Crucial X9 is a great choice. It offers good performance at an affordable price and is more than sufficient for everyday tasks.
What’s the key difference between the X9 and X9 Pro?
The X9 Pro offers significantly faster speeds (up to 2000MB/s) and additional features such as AES 256-bit hardware encryption and larger storage options, making it ideal for professionals.
Does the X9 Pro offer backward compatibility with older USB ports?
Yes, both the X9 and X9 Pro are backward compatible with older USB ports like USB 3.0 and 2.0, but the full-speed benefits are only realized with USB 3.2 Gen 2 connections.
What is the best storage capacity for video editing?
For video editing, the X9 Pro with 2TB or 4TB capacity would be ideal, as it offers both the speed and storage needed to handle large video files.
Conclusion
Both the Crucial X9 and X9 Pro are excellent portable SSD options, but the right choice depends on your needs.
If you’re a casual user looking for a budget-friendly, reliable SSD, the Crucial X9 is more than sufficient.
However, if you’re a professional who requires faster speeds, more storage capacity, and additional security features, the Crucial X9 Pro is the superior option.
Understanding these key differences will help you make the best choice for your storage needs.
Leave a Reply