[SOLVED] What is the best external SSD to use for cold storage? (May 2020)

[W00dmann]

I've got pictures backed up to thumb drives but I don't trust their longevity so I'd like to buy a reliable, good quality external SSD for cold storage. Recommendations appreciated!

 

[hang-the-9]

Samsung is good, you can also use online storage or a standard drive. Probably better than an SSD since those can loose data if not powered on for a while. USB flash drives are probably one of the last reliable ways of storage for reliable backups, they are the floppy disks of our age.

 

[geofelt]

I think I would pick either intel or samsung for a ssd device.
They make all their own components and can control quality better.

You can buy a normal 2.5" ssd or 2.5" HDD and use a usb to sata adapter cable to do the copy.
Photos are often irreplaceable.
Use a belt and suspenders approach.
Make copies frequently to different devices. Even perhaps to the cloud.
A HDD also makes sense.
Store them in a different location.

 

[popatim]

How long in cold storage before you refresh the drive/data? The higher the Cell density the more frequently you need to refresh an SSD. {SLC- MLC-TLC-QLC}

 

[USAFRet]

I've got pictures backed up to thumb drives but I don't trust their longevity so I'd like to buy a reliable, good quality external SSD for cold storage. Recommendations appreciated!

How much data, and how long is this purported cold storage?