As the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC2023) draws near in Amsterdam, Western Digital, the storage giant, has unleashed two formidable additions to its extensive lineup of storage solutions. These cutting-edge pro-grade products aim to fill a void in Western Digital’s storage offerings, and they go by the names of SanDisk Professional G-Drive PROJECT and G-RAID Mirror, formerly part of the renowned G-Technology family.
The Thunderbolt 3 Prowess
Both the SanDisk Professional G-Drive PROJECT and the G-RAID Mirror come equipped with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, offering the ability to daisy-chain up to five devices. Western Digital is backing these new arrivals with an impressive five-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind for users. Moreover, users can opt for configurations featuring one or two hard disk drives, with capacities soaring to a staggering 22TB, thanks to the Ultrastar Enterprise-class hard drives, which are expected to be the Ultrastar DC HC570 models.
A standout feature in both these offerings is the inclusion of a PRO-BLADE SSD mag slot, a feature that allows for efficient content management using this SSD-based storage device.
The SanDisk Professional G-Drive PROJECT
Available in a range of capacities starting from 6TB ($369.99) and scaling up to a remarkable 22TB ($849.99), the SanDisk Professional G-Drive PROJECT promises impressive read/write speeds, peaking at 260MB/s. While this speed falls slightly short of the HC570’s maximum transfer rate of 291MB/s, it still ensures brisk data handling for professional users.
The G-RAID Mirror – Versatile and Robust
On the other end of the spectrum lies the G-RAID Mirror, boasting a colossal 44TB capacity when equipped with two drives. However, this cutting-edge storage solution comes with a hefty price tag of $1499.99. Out of the box, it operates in RAID-1 “mirroring” mode, offering enhanced data redundancy—a crucial feature for professionals dealing with valuable content. For users seeking more performance, it can easily be switched to RAID-0. Alternatively, it can operate as JBOD (Just a Bunch of Drives) by merely flipping a switch, providing flexibility to match diverse storage needs.
Comparing the Competition
In a comparison with the consumer-oriented My Book Duo, the Western Digital pro-grade offerings shine. The My Book Duo retails for just under $1,200, offering a shorter warranty, lacking the PRO-BLADE SSD mag slot, and utilizing USB 3.2 Gen 1. The price disparity between the 22TB WD Elements and the 22TB PROJECT is even more striking, with the PROJECT commanding a $450 premium, a 70% difference in cost.
A Glance at Seagate and LaCie
In the competitive arena of external hard drives, Western Digital’s arch-rival, Seagate, does not offer a direct equivalent to these pro-grade offerings. Seagate’s focus primarily revolves around consumer external hard drives, represented by the Expansion and One Touch family ranges. To find a competitor that matches Western Digital’s pro-grade solutions, one must turn to LaCie, Seagate’s premium storage brand, which maintains a distinct identity from its parent company.
LaCie’s 2Big Dock emerges as a contender against the G-RAID Mirror, albeit with a higher price point of $1899. Despite the cost, it delivers a formidable performance package. While it offers a slightly lower storage capacity of up to 40TB, it compensates with two Thunderbolt ports, compatibility with CFexpress Type B, CFast 2.0, and SD cards, a USB hub, and a full-size DisplayPort. The 2Big Dock caters to demanding professional needs, making it a robust alternative for users seeking premium storage solutions.
