All-aluminum 1 TB HP P500 external SSD weighs just 1.7 oz, offers up to 460 MB/s read rates

After having recently checked out the HP P700 external SSD, we're now ready to take a look at the HP P500 courtesy of BIWIN Storage.

The P500 USB Type-C SSD is encased in aluminum for increased ruggedness and portability when compared to its P700 counterpart. Transfer rates, however, are much slower at just 260 to 420 MB/s maximum compared to 1000 MB/s on the P700. This is the trade-off users will have to make if deciding between the faster, warmer, and more frail P700 or slower, cooler, and more robust P500.

The drive comes pre-formatted in exFAT for compatibility with Windows, Mac and Android devices via USB-A or USB-C; no external power source is required other than from the host device. While we had no issues reaching the claimed 420 MB/s read rate, block sizes would have to be at least 512 KB or greater in order to obtain such speeds. Write rates perform better in this regard as the maximum of 260 MB/s is sustainable at block sizes as low as 64 KB. If you're planning on transferring lots of very small files from the external drive to desktop, however, expect it take a while.

The HP P500 is now available in 500 GB for $139 USD with other capacities coming soon.