The SanDisk Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C is a versatile and stylish storage solution that caters to users looking for a practical way to transfer and store data across multiple devices. SanDisk, known for its reliable storage products, delivers a sleek dual drive that combines functionality with durability.

Key Features

1. Dual Connector (USB Type-C & USB Type-A):

One of the standout features of this drive is its dual interface, which allows you to transfer files between devices with both USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports. This is perfect for those who switch between newer laptops or phones with USB-C and older machines or peripherals that rely on USB-A.

2. Fast Transfer Speeds:

With the USB 3.1 Gen 1 technology, the Dual Drive Luxe offers fast file transfer speeds, with read speeds of up to 150MB/s. Whether you’re transferring large video files or backing up important documents, the speed ensures a smooth and efficient experience.

3. Ample Storage Options:

The drive comes in various storage capacities, ranging from 32GB up to 1TB, making it suitable for different needs. Whether you are a casual user storing simple documents or a content creator managing large media files, there’s an option that will suit your requirements.

4. Durable and Compact Design:

The all-metal, polished finish adds an element of elegance while making the drive durable enough for daily use. The capless swivel design also protects the connectors when not in use and ensures portability without worrying about losing parts.

Performance:

In real-world usage, the SanDisk Dual Drive Luxe performs exceptionally well, particularly when transferring large media files such as 4K videos or high-resolution images. The transfer speeds hold up as advertised when connected to a USB 3.1 port.

However, using the drive with older USB 2.0 ports will see a drop in speed, but that’s to be expected with legacy technology.

Switching between USB Type-C and USB Type-A is seamless, making it a perfect companion for professionals on the go, students, or media creators who need to transfer files between devices regularly.

Pros:

– Dual USB Type-C and USB Type-A support.

– Fast read and write speeds (up to 150MB/s).

– Durable, all-metal design.

– Available in large storage capacities (up to 1TB).

– Compact and portable.

Cons:

– It may heat up slightly during extended use, though not excessively.

Verdict:

The SanDisk Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C is an excellent choice for anyone who frequently transfers data between devices. Its dual connectivity, speed, and storage options make it a practical and efficient solution for both professionals and casual users alike. The design is both stylish and reliable without compromising the nature of being portable.

Immigration chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed that it is urgent for member countries to expedite the issuance of the regional ENBIC ID card in order to foster regional integration and simplify travel.

The heads of immigration services from a dozen ECOWAS countries made the resolve during a recent ECOWAS Heads of Immigration Forum which took place in the Gambian capital, Banjul.

ENBIC is the acronym for ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, a regional ID adopted in December 2014 as a tool for enhancing cross-border travel and economic integration among the countries that make up the west African political and economic bloc.

Since its launch, the rollout of the card has not been as strong as expected, but ECOWAS authorities have been pushing for its adoption as one of the ways of bringing down travel and trade barriers within the region.

The recent forum in Banjul was thus a platform for member countries to review the path so far covered, and to device ways of making the project more impactful in their quest of better addressing migration and mobility challenges.

It took place under the theme “Acceleration of the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and the abolition of the 90-day stay limit/residence permits for community citizens.”

During the meeting, participants discussed why it is important for the ENBIC to replace the hand-written ECOWAS travel certificates and residence permits, emphasizing that the regional ID will facilitate movements, residence and the right to do business in any country of the region without the risk of compromising the national security of the host country, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIN) said in a statement.

“The abolition of the 90-day stay limit, along with the deployment of the ENBIC, will significantly strengthen free movement, residence and establishment rights for ECOWAS citizens,” said KN Nandap, Comptroller General of the NIS, who was elected Chairperson of the ECOWAS forum during the Banjul meeting.

Among other things, delegates to the meeting also reviewed challenges related to irregular migration, human trafficking and border security. In the face of these, Nandap said there was need for a “coordinated and harmonized approach” to these problems in order to ensure effective border security and protection of citizens.

The Banjul meeting was not attended by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger who have turned their back on ECOWAS. Last month, they announced plans to launch a common passport to easy travel among their citizens.

This comes after Burkina Faso also launched a new passport without the ECOWAS logo.

There have been calls from regional authorities for their return to the ECOWAS fold.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Ghassan Azzi, Sales Director for Africa at Western Digital, has emphasized the importance of scalable, cost-effective data storage solutions in meeting the needs of modern businesses. As data generation continues to surge, particularly with the rise of connected devices and artificial intelligence (AI), Azzi pointed out that efficient data storage is becoming an essential consideration for datacenter managers worldwide.

Azzi acknowledged the widespread attention on flash storage due to its high performance and low latency, but warned that not all data requires such advanced storage technology. “Each application and type of data has its own access requirements, and it’s not always necessary to pay the premium for the speed of flash storage,” he explained.

According to Azzi, the difference between “warm” and “hot” data is a critical factor when selecting the appropriate storage solution. For example, a globally popular music video that attracts billions of views may need to be stored on high-performance SSDs or RAM, while videos with fewer views, like those of influencers or niche hobbyists, can be effectively stored on HDDs to keep total cost of ownership (TCO) in check.

Azzi stressed that data centers must consider multiple factors beyond performance, including capacity, power, cooling, and storage density. These factors influence the overall TCO and help leaders choose the most cost-effective storage options. “Datacenter leaders optimize storage solutions based on application requirements, all while aiming to minimize long-term costs,” he noted.

He also dismissed the idea of a competition between SSDs and HDDs, instead highlighting that the overall data storage market is growing, creating ample space for both technologies. “In the data center, SSDs and HDDs are not fighting over a fixed pie. The pie is growing rapidly as data storage demand continues to soar,” Azzi remarked.

AI’s Impact on Storage Demand

Azzi identified the AI-driven data cycle as a significant factor driving the demand for storage. AI systems generate vast amounts of data that need to be stored efficiently, and HDDs play a critical role in this ecosystem by handling both the ingestion of raw data and the storage of AI-generated content. “This dual role positions HDDs as a linchpin in the AI-driven data cycle, ensuring that data is available when needed and stored with the lowest TCO,” he said.

Citing Western Digital’s analysis, Azzi highlighted that HDD exabyte shipments are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% between 2023 and 2027. He noted that the rise of AI, big data, and cloud technologies will continue to push storage requirements higher, making HDDs an indispensable tool in data management.

The Cloud and Data Growth

Azzi also pointed to the increasing role of the cloud in data storage. “Virtually everything today, from social media to enterprise systems, is powered by the cloud,” he said. This shift has led to massive volumes of data being moved to cloud environments for storage, processing, and analysis.

Quoting IDC data, Azzi stated that global data creation is projected to increase from 132.4 zettabytes (ZB) in 2023 to 393.9 ZB by 2028. While not all of this data will be stored, Azzi pointed out that around 13.6 ZB will be stored by 2028. He emphasized that “approximately 85% of enterprise data is still stored on HDDs, and this percentage is only expected to decline slightly over the next five years.”

Innovations in HDD Technology

Recent advances in HDD technology, according to Azzi, are helping to solidify the role of hard drives in large-scale data storage environments. With technologies like conventional magnetic recording (CMR) and shingled magnetic recording (SMR), HDD capacities have reached new heights—up to 26 terabytes (TB) for CMR and 32TB for SMR.

“These capacity advancements enable organizations to optimize their storage infrastructure for lower TCO,” Azzi said. He illustrated the cost-saving benefits by citing the example of a data center needing 192 petabytes (PB) of storage. By utilizing 32TB HDDs instead of 24TB models, the data center could reduce the number of racks needed from eight to six, saving both physical space and cutting TCO by up to 25%.

In addition to lower TCO, Azzi mentioned that businesses are increasingly focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, making efficient, high-capacity storage solutions a priority. “High-capacity HDDs can reduce physical footprints and energy consumption, making them a key part of meeting sustainability targets,” he added.

The Future of Data Storage

Looking to the future, Azzi stated that industries generating massive amounts of data, such as media, healthcare, and financial services, will continue to rely on HDDs to meet their storage needs. “As data continues to grow exponentially, the role of HDDs will only become more critical,” he remarked, underscoring that HDD innovations will keep pace with rising data storage demands.

Azzi affirmed that the demand for scalable, efficient data storage solutions will only intensify. “HDDs, with their unmatched capacity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, are well-positioned to remain the backbone of data storage for years to come,” he said.

In a world where data is growing at an unprecedented rate, Ghassan Azzi’s insights underscore the ongoing importance of HDDs in providing businesses with the scalable, efficient storage they need to navigate the challenges of the digital age.