HP P700 review – external SSD with integrated cable box

The P700 is a compact external SSD from the manufacturer HP. The P700 is available with capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB and relies on USB 3.1 Gen2, which allows a transfer rate of up to 10 Gb/s. USB Type-C is used for the connection. A special feature of the P700 is the two-part case, which consists of the SSD itself and a box where cables and adapters can be stored. The external SSD is available in black, blue and red.

We have the black version with a capacity of 1 TB for our review. This version is already available in the US, and the price is $175. In Germany, the SSD is not yet available, and a recommended retail price for the European market is also not known.

Specifications

HP HP P700 (256 GB), Externe SSD, Schwarz

HP HP P700 (256 GB), Externe SSD, Schwarz

€ 55.90

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Workmanship and scope of delivery

HP relies on a mix of aluminum and plastic for the case, the surface is matte black, only the HP logo and the P700 lettering are glossy. The design is a bit reminiscent of internal SATA SSDs and appeals with its simplicity. With its dimensions of 92 x 65 mm, the SSD is also much more compact than, for example, an external SSD or hard drive in 2.5″ format. The workmanship is very good all around, this also applies to the included cable and adapter.

As already mentioned, HP relies on a two-part case. Both parts are held together by magnets. On the one hand, the two halves of the case can be separated quickly and easily, but on the other hand, they are connected tightly enough so that both parts stay together securely during transport.

The upper part of the case is the SSD itself, the lower part offers storage space for a USB cable. This is already included as a USB-C to USB-A cable. Furthermore, an adapter from USB-A to USB-C is included. The USB cable is very short with a length of 15 cm, so it is only suitable for use on the front USB or on a notebook. This is probably mainly due to the limited space available in the box and is rarely a problem in everyday use.

Performance test

Compared to the other external SSDs we’ve tested so far, the HP P700 performs very well, and in some cases significantly outperforms them. Of course, this is also due to the fact that HP uses NVMe instead of SATA, which allows for a significantly higher transfer rate.

HP advertises a maximum read and write speed of 1000 MB/s, which we could almost reach in CrystalDiskMark with 963.10 and 968.70 MB/s, respectively. The SSD also performs very well in the AS SSD benchmark with 953 MB/s in sequential read and 905.05 MB/s in sequential write. Only in the HD Tune benchmark did the HP P700 fall short of our expectations and land in the midfield.

Furthermore, HP advertises 75,000 and 70,000 IOPS in read and write, respectively. In CrystalDiskMark, we achieved 59,484 and 59,656 IOPS for Random 4K Q32T1, respectively. This is a bit below the advertised rates, but HP does not specify where and how these are achieved. In the ATTO disk benchmark, the P700 can partly clearly distinguish itself from the previously tested SSDs.

Conclusion

With the P700 Portable, HP offers a successful external SSD that can also convince in other ways besides performance. We like the material and workmanship very much and the innovative two-part design is also well thought out. Thanks to the box, the cable and, if required, the adapter are always at hand and you don’t have to search for them. Especially on the road, this feature proved to be extremely practical. Who doesn’t know it? You’re in a hurry, quickly pack up the hard drive or SSD and then realize that you forgot the cable. With the P700, this problem can’t happen as long as you stow the cable as intended. Despite the box, the P700 can also impress with a compact format.

HP HP P700 (256 GB), Externe SSD, Schwarz

HP HP P700 (256 GB), Externe SSD, Schwarz

€ 55.90

P21D

Buy now* galaxus.de