Worried about your portable hard drive while on outdoor events or engaging outdoor field work? Perhaps it’s about time for you to try and experience the Shockproof and well protected Silicon Power Portable Hard Drive Armor A30.
EXTERIOR: The Packaging (In-the-box)
The Silicon Power Armor A30 1TB / Manual / USB end-to-end connector
Simple, Sleek, and Tough body design
Armor A30 has rubberized type in the sides and edges, it boost protection from unwanted bumps or accidentally fall of the portable hard drive. Another thing I have to give, a positive point to its sturdy feeling within its main plastic body. It gives you a complete worry free, well protected and secure on your data/files.
“The sturdy plastic is distinguished in hexagonal pattern covering all over the main surface, which makes A30 more durable to any scratches or fractions while using on a daily basis.” – The mere fact that it pass the U.S. military drop-test standards MIL-STD 810G Method 516.6 Procedure IV (transit drop test), including specific height free fall test (122cm).
Rear View: (Composed of 4 screws in the sides, alternatively you can check or maybe you can change the hard drive, which is a good thing! Sweet!)
The USB connector is a plus and positive point for me!
As you see the USB connector, I should give positive points to Silicon Power, putting up a regular USB connector (and not that mini/micro USB connector). Therefore it improves compatibility from devices and it’s really gives the solid build look construction.
Blue for the USB 3.0 and Red for the USB 2.0
Whenever you connect it to a supported USB 2.0 slot, the LED light glows RED. While if you connect it to a USB 3.0 slot, the LED light glows BLUE. Within the concept of the Armor A30 LED Light, it gives me another comfort on how do I know if it’s USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 (You don’t have to guess right?).
LET’S DIG DEEP (Actual Info/Test of the Armor A30):
Survival Test: Free Fall Drop from ceiling to the ground, Thrown on the Wall. Played and used by 2 year old kid, what’s next? It truly survived and working fine the wonders of its protective case makes your data more secure from any further damages.
Still looking fine and working after the survival test. Two thumbs up!
CyrstalDiskInfo
Information about the Hard Drive inside the SP Armor A30
In here is the actual information about the Hard Drive encloses on the SP Armor A30. It’s a Samsung ST1000LM024 5400RPM, 1TB.
Let’s take a SPIN (HDD Benchmark):
ATTO Benchmark via PC Desktop USB 3.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem
As from the results, Silicon Power Armor A30 it gives an actual performance as expected from a portable hard drive. In this case, it achieves a good rating speed for a portable hdd. Maximum read/write speed is nearly to 120MB/Sec.
ATTO Benchmark via Netbook USB 2.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem
As from the results, Silicon Power Armor A30 it gives an actual performance as expected from a portable hard drive. In this case, the speed will be not as similar to USB 3.0, that’s why to achieve faster transfer rating, USB 3.0 will be a good option to used. But for the USB 2.0 usage, this rating is good enough for a portable hdd. Maximum read/write speed is nearly to 35MB/Sec.
CyrstalDiskMark via PC Desktop USB 3.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem and via Netbook USB 2.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem
As for the results of the benchmark, we used 1000MB data sample within 5 repetitions to measure the data transfer speeds. It does measures the read/write speeds of portable hard drive and the performance is acceptable. The result measurements are not similar in terms of what type of USB slot is in used. Good ratio rating on the transfer speed makes this portable hard drive be wanted.
HD TUNE PRO via PC Desktop USB 3.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem and via Netbook USB 2.0 Slot with FAT32 Filesystem
The Armor A30 via USB 3.0 slot, starts with a maximum read speed of 111.3MB/sec and drops at 47.5MB/sec as the head goes to the end of the portable hdd and with an average speed is 81.4MB/sec. For USB 2.0 slot, the Armor A30 starts with a maximum read speed of 31.2MB/sec and drops at 28.3MB/sec, and with an average speed is 30.9MB/sec. For this test, it shows how good and acceptable the overall performance of the Armor A30.
HD Tach RW Sequential Read Speed (via USB 2.0 and USB 3.0)
From this test, it looks like in the real world file transfer speed, USB 3.0 sequential read speed is more beneficial. Take note that this test doesn’t require any file system.
Real World File Copy/Transfer Test using PC Desktop (via USB 2.0 and USB 3.0) within 5GB random and sequential files/data.
From the graph, we can evaluate that USB 3.0 file copy/transfer has a stunning speed compared on USB 2.0 which takes long time in terms of file, copy/transfer speed. As I observed while doing the file copy/transfer, the Armor A30 runs quietly and keep its temperature at cool level, which is a good thing for long hours of usages. Kindly take note that the results may vary in terms of your computer setup and/or system settings.
Summary/Real Talk/Verdict:
The Silicon Power Armor A30 has stunning exterior that can survived on external bumps or accidentally fall. Aside from that, the simple look, rubberized sides and slots (in which it carries the USB connector, without forgetting it to bring) and the sturdy body makes everything feel secure and ready to go on a battlefield. I would personally like the black color, looking more professional and attractive to the eyes. The extra features of the portable hard drive that has the both compatibility of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 which came along with LED indicator light, is a positive rating for me. The good performance within the read/write and file transfer is well noted and for the whole package of it, I guess the price won’t bother to me anymore.
Pros: Simple look yet tough exterior design, Fast file transfer via USB 3.0, variety of capacity (500GB or 1TB), worry free and well secured portable hard drive, 3 year warranty, compatible in multiple platform (Linux/Mac/Windows), good performance (read/write), and everything within a good price.
Cons: None I can think of.
User Experience and Rating: 5/5 (for external/portable hdd)
INFORMATION ABOUT ARMOR A30:
Armor A30 Product Features
– SuperSpeed USB 3.0 compliant and backwards compatible with USB 2.0
– Meet the U.S. military drop-test standards MIL-STD 810G Method 516.6 Procedure IV (transit drop test), including specific height free fall test (122cm).
– Cable carry design
– Advanced internal hard drive suspension system
– Easy Plug in and use – no external adapter required
– SP Widget free download software, providing 7 major back-up and security functions
Armor A30 Product Specifications
– Dimensions: 87.5 x 134 x 18.6 mm
– Weight: 181g
– Standard Compliance: USB 3.0 / 2.0
– Data Transfer Rates: Max. 5 Gb/s (USB 3.0 Mode); Max. 480 Mb/s (USB 2.0 Mode)
– Power Supply: DC 5V (Power supplied through USB)
– Supported Operating Systems: Windows 8/7/Vista/XP/2000, Linux 2.6.31 or later, Mac OS 10.8 or later (only USB 2.0 currently supported)
– Operating Temperature: 5℃~ 55℃
– Storage Temperature: -40℃~ 70℃
– Capacity: 500GB, 1TB
– Color: Black, White
-Three-year warranty
AVAILABILITY/PRICE:
“Silicon Power Armor A30 available in 500GB and 1TB. The Armor series comes with SP exclusive, free SP Widget download software, providing 7 major back up and security tools and offers a 3 year warranty.” – Another thing to consider and a sure bet to buy.
When is it available on Philippine market? – End of February, 2014.
Where to buy (local distributor / shop information)? – Octagon Computer Superstore
Armor A30 MSRP: For 1TB Php 4,699 and for 500GB – Php 3,399.
For more information about the Armor A30, please visit the SP/Silicon Power website (click here)
(Disclosure: Silicon Power – Armor A30 Info/Video/Logo/Images/Pictures have a respective copyright. We used it for demonstration purpose only.)
If something in your mind to comment or suggest, please let us know. In our efforts to provide detailed information, there is possibility of inaccurate contents. If you see any mistake or incomplete in our information, please don’t hesitate to tell us. We will fix it immediately as soon as possible.
if usb 3.0 is the fastest transfer speed, i would buy first PCI USB 3.0 for my computer. i don’t have usb 3.0 in my PC. anyway, the armor a30 is really good and as same with the price.
yes that is also in my mind, if you’re pc doesn’t came in USB 3.0. i bought mind last month, and now its very beneficial in terms of using faster usb transfer.
my portable hdd doesn’t came with these features, i hope i’ll get one of this armor a30.
are you from PH? as describe, it will be available within Feb 2014. 😉
is the octagon the only authorized seller of silicon power armor a30? i hope they release it on other stores to for more availability.
yes we’re still hoping for more authorized reseller/distributor of silicon power armor a30. 🙂
good review sir, between how did you get one? where did you bought this armor a30?
shipped thru courier. 🙂
give thanks for its protective case, i haven’t got one, i’ll grab one when its out on the market.
does it came in white color?
yes i does have white color
how much the shipment cost if i ordered online? is there any online store i could buy this? i will send it to my brother for a christmas gift.
i hope my auntie will send me this on my birthday / christmas gift. since my auntie works at taiwan, were this portable hdd came from. i can request it as my wishlist 😛
i like the design and compatible to both usb 2.0 and 3.0, that’s good enough.
good review, this will be my target external hdd for this coming 2014 🙂 hopefully this is my gift on my coming bday next year