Portable SSDs have evolved from using standard 2.5" and mSATA solutions to taking full advantage of m.2 SATA and NVMe solutions with the introduction of USB 3.1 Gen 2. Along with this change, we have seen a number of devices move towards the small form factor pocket-sized market; the ESD350C is Transcends latest.

With a rich history in the NAND Flash and memory market, Transcend has enjoyed a solid range of portable SSDs. The ESD lineup goes way back to the beginning with the ESD400, a drive that I reviewed nearly five years ago. The 350C is their latest solution, offering three capacities; 240GB, 480GB, and 960GB. The enclosure has been revamped with a blue silicon sleeve that protects the drive and offers increased durability. Performance is rated at 1050 MB/s read, and 950 MB/s write thanks to the inclusion of USB-C in its proper gen 2 form.