Orico has gained widespread recognition for its high-quality HDD and SSD enclosures, a testament to the company’s dedication over more than 15 years of innovation in this space. The model has recently expanded its portfolio into Thunderbolt 4 docking stations, storage servers, and solid-state drives, kicking off this endeavour with the Mecha O20, a rugged exterior SSD designed to compete directly with the market-leading offerings from Essential (X10 Professional) and Samsung (T9).
The Mecha O20 is available in three storage options: 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Using the 2TB model, I’ve secured a generous 30% discount on its usual retail price of $239. At a fraction of the cost, the Mecha O20 outshines its competitors, offering unparalleled value. After utilizing the device for over a month, I can confidently attest that it meets and exceeds expectations, delivering exceptional performance that rivals the best in its class.
The Mecha O20’s design is a paramount aspect, warranting a comprehensive examination to unlock its full potential. Taking the concept of water-resistance and durability to unprecedented heights, Orico sets a new benchmark for exterior SSD enclosures. The Mecha O20’s chassis is constructed from a durable aluminum alloy, boasting impressive structural integrity. What’s truly impressive is that Orico incorporated silicone casing into the exterior design of their product, thereby significantly enhancing its ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions with ease.
The most appealing feature is that the USB-C port is shielded with a silicone cover, requiring you to lift the flap to access the connector. The primary challenge lies in the recessed port’s design, which restricts compatibility with certain USB-C cables; specifically, my usual Acefast cables’ larger connectors prevent them from fitting properly, much like a bulky phone case that hinders ease of use.
Fortunately, the Orico package comes with a 20Gbps cable, featuring a versatile 2-in-1 connector that can be used as both USB-A and USB-C, efficiently supporting any heading in the right direction system. I inserted the solid-state drive into various Android devices, Windows computers, and Macs, finding that it functioned seamlessly without requiring any configuration.
The Mecha O20’s sturdy chassis and silicone casing make it slightly larger than average exterior SSDs, yet its size doesn’t compromise portability – it easily fits into a bag for on-the-go use. At just 189 grams, this item is surprisingly lightweight, and its understated gray color scheme ensures a discreet appearance.
There’s a secure attachment loop for one aspect, and for those who are so inclined, you can attach the SSD to the exterior of your bag – it offers protection from rain, bumps, and dirt. While the SSD’s IP54 rating doesn’t allow for immersion in water, it does excel in other conditions.
The Mecha O20 leverages a high-performance USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, enabling a robust 20 Gbps bandwidth, which translates to impressive read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. While few devices utilize the Gen 2×2 interface, the device seamlessly shifts to a standard 10Gbps USB connection when necessary. My utilization revealed astonishing performance metrics: sequential reads reached as high as 1,829 megabytes per second, while writes clocked in at an impressive 1,634 megabytes per second – figures surpassing those of many other external SSDs I’ve tested.
The random read/write performance hovered around 200 MB/s, a remarkable demonstration of the solid-state drive’s capabilities. I didn’t witness any seamless transfers of thousands of photographs and videos from the Vivo X60 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro, nor did I see effortless migration of massive amounts of data from Windows. On this matter, it has been consistently proven to be just as reliable as.
Consequently, I have no hesitation in wholeheartedly endorsing the Mecha O20. Here are my dozen exterior SSDs, but none compare to the Mecha O20’s unyielding robustness in terms of exterior design. Due to its Gen 2×2 interface, this SSD is one of the fastest around, and I found no drawbacks in everyday use. Need an affordable external SSD that doesn’t break the bank? Look no further than the Mecha O20.
The Orico Mecha O20 2TB Exterior SSD delivers rugged durability and massive storage in a sleek package.
The Mecha O20 boasts a rugged design and rapid transfer capabilities, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a robust external hard drive built to withstand demanding environments.
