Avolusion M2 Series 1TB USB 3.0 Portable External Gaming Hard Drive (for PS4 / PS5 or Windows OS Laptop/PC) (Renewed)
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AI Verdict
This is a renewed 1TB, 7200RPM mechanical hard drive with USB 3.0, best for budget-focused users needing extra storage for PS4/PS5 games or PC data.
This 1TB, 7200RPM renewed external HDD is a situational fit, offering ample storage for PS4 games and PC backups at a budget price. Its requirement for two USB ports and the slower mechanical drive speeds mean it's not ideal for all setups or performance-critical tasks, especially with PS5 games.
If speed is a higher priority for PS5 games, look for an external SSD with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) or faster, though expect a higher price per GB.
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Pros
- Offers 1TB of storage capacity for PS4/PS5 games and PC data.
- Features a 7200RPM enterprise-grade hard drive, designed for 24/7 high performance.
- Comes pre-formatted with exFAT for broad compatibility, though reformatting may be required for specific gaming consoles.
- Includes a bypass USB port, allowing it to technically occupy only one USB slot despite needing two for initial boot-up.
- Marketed as having 0 power hours, zero bad sectors, and 100% health after rigorous factory testing.
Cons
- Requires two USB ports to boot up, which can be inconvenient for devices with limited ports.
- As a mechanical hard drive, it will have slower read/write speeds compared to SSD alternatives.
- PS5 games cannot be downloaded directly to the drive; they must be transferred from the internal SSD, taking 3-5 minutes per game.
- The 'renewed' nature means it's a refurbished internal drive, which some users associate with potential reliability concerns.
- Enterprise-grade drives can be noisier than consumer-grade drives due to optimization for speed over acoustics.
Dimension Scores
As a 7200RPM mechanical hard drive with USB 3.0, its speeds are average for an HDD but significantly slower than SSDs.
Being a 'renewed' product with a refurbished enterprise drive, and general user reports of Avolusion drives failing, its long-term reliability is a concern.
1TB is a practical capacity for expanding game libraries or backup storage, especially for PS4 games, offering good value for its budget price.
It works with PS4, PS5 (for storage/transfer), Windows, MacOS, and Xbox, making it broadly compatible across multiple platforms.
Best For
- Expanding PS4 game library storage on a budget.
- Offloading PS5 games from the internal SSD to free up space.
- Backup storage for Windows OS systems and large media files.
- Users who prioritize capacity over raw speed for less frequently accessed data.
Not Recommended For
- Users needing the fastest possible game load times for PS5 titles.
- Anyone sensitive to potential drive noise during operation.
- Devices with only one available USB port.
- Users who require brand-new components for peace of mind.
Watch Out For
- The drive requires two USB ports to power on, which can be a problem if your laptop or console has limited available ports.
- You cannot download PS5 games directly to this external hard drive; games must first be downloaded to the console's internal SSD and then moved, a process that takes about 3-5 minutes per game.
- Some users have reported Avolusion drives failing after about a year of use, with the drive no longer being detected by consoles.
- Being a renewed product with a refurbished enterprise-grade HDD, there's a higher chance of encountering a unit that fails prematurely compared to a brand-new consumer drive.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0DFZS1799 |
| Brand | Avolusion |
| Color | Black |
| Series | M2 Series |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 14.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Avolusion |
| Special Feature | Backward Compatible |
| Hardware Platform | PS4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Item model number | M2-BK-1TB-PS |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 4 x 0.5 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Hard Drive Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5 x 4 x 0.5 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
What Buyers Say
User feedback for Avolusion drives, generally, points to a trade-off between low cost and potential reliability issues, with a 3.7/5 rating across 87 reviews for this renewed model. Many question the brand's longevity compared to established names like WD or Seagate. The 'renewed' aspect, using refurbished enterprise-grade drives, means you might get a high-performance internal component, but some users have experienced drives failing within a year. The need for two USB ports to power it up is a specific operational detail that can be a minor annoyance.
“Man, this thing was cheap, so I took a chance. It works for my PS4 games, but I'm always kinda worried it's gonna just die on me, especially since it's renewed. It's not super fast, but it gets the job done for the price.”
Common Praise
- The 1TB capacity provides ample storage for PS4 games and general data.
- It's a cost-effective way to expand storage compared to new, brand-name drives.
- The plug-n-play setup is straightforward for compatible systems.
- The slim and lightweight design makes it portable.
Common Complaints
- Drives sometimes stop being detected by consoles after a period of use.
- Concerns about the long-term reliability of refurbished components.
- The requirement for two USB ports to power the drive can be inconvenient.
- Slower transfer speeds compared to SSDs, especially for large game files.
Ownership Tips
- The drive might make more noise than typical consumer hard drives due to its enterprise-grade components.
- You'll need to manage PS5 game transfers manually, as direct downloads aren't supported.
- Keep an eye on your available USB ports, as it needs two to function, even with the bypass.
- Regular backups are advisable given the 'renewed' status and general brand perception regarding reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play PS5 games directly from this drive?
No, you cannot play PS5 games directly from this drive. PS5 games must be downloaded to the console's internal SSD first, and then you can transfer them to this external drive for storage.
Does this drive need external power?
No, it is USB bus-powered, meaning it draws power directly from the USB ports. However, it requires two USB ports to boot up, though it comes with a bypass port so it technically occupies one.
Is this drive compatible with Xbox consoles?
Yes, it is compatible with Xbox consoles, including Xbox One Original, S, and X. It comes pre-formatted with exFAT, but you might need to reformat it for specific console use.
What does 'renewed' mean for this hard drive?
Renewed means it's a refurbished product. The internal hard drive is a like-new refurbished, top-tier 7200RPM enterprise drive that has passed rigorous quality tests, showing 0 power hours, zero bad sectors, and 100% health.
Will this drive be fast enough for gaming?
For PS4 games and general PC gaming, the 7200RPM speed and USB 3.0 interface provide acceptable performance. However, it will not match the load times of an internal or external SSD, especially for PS5 titles.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at external hard drives, especially 'renewed' ones like this Avolusion, you're balancing cost against performance and peace of mind. This drive uses a traditional spinning disk (HDD), which is slower but cheaper per gigabyte than a solid-state drive (SSD). The 'renewed' part means it's got a refurbished internal drive, which can be a great deal if it holds up, but it's a bit of a gamble on longevity compared to a brand-new unit. You're mostly buying this for capacity, not blazing speed.
Capacity (1TB)
This is how much data you can store. 1TB is enough for dozens of large PS4 games or thousands of photos and documents. Think of it like a big digital closet for your stuff.
Interface (USB 3.0)
This dictates how fast data moves between the drive and your device. USB 3.0 is a standard, reasonably fast connection, but newer USB versions (like 3.2 Gen 2) are significantly quicker, especially for large files. It's like the size of the highway for your data.
Drive Type (Mechanical Hard Disk, 7200RPM)
This tells you what's inside. A mechanical hard disk (HDD) has spinning platters and read/write heads, making it slower and potentially noisier than an SSD, but much more affordable for large capacities. 7200RPM indicates the platters spin faster than 5400RPM drives, offering better performance within the HDD category. It's the engine of your storage, and a 7200RPM engine is faster than a 5400RPM one, but still not as fast as an electric car (SSD).
Alternatives
If you need faster game loading and transfer times, especially for PS5 titles, look for external solid-state drives (SSDs) with USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt connectivity. If you need more storage for less money and don't mind a larger form factor, consider desktop external HDDs that often come in 2TB+ capacities.
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