ADATA‘s presence in the Swedish market is still developing, but the Taiwanese company is actively expanding its portfolio with a range of interesting computer accessories and products, now stocked by a growing number of Swedish and Nordic retailers.
Today, we’re examining the HD770G, one of their latest portable hard drives. This rugged, external drive distinguishes itself with integrated RGB light strips – a unique feature in its class. The HD770G is available in two rubber shell colors and storage capacities of 1TB and 2TB. While precise Swedish pricing is still pending, current estimates suggest a price point of approximately 700 SEK for the 1TB model, and slightly above 1,000 SEK (potentially 1,100-1,200 SEK) for the 2TB version.
We promptly connected the drive to our reference computers and conducted performance tests using the ExFAT file system. ExFAT offers broad compatibility across both macOS and Windows platforms, representing an advancement over the older FAT32 format.
The results obtained on an empty drive are as follows:
ADATA has slightly improved the write speed, achieving an approximate 12% increase, while the read speed remains comparable to that of last year’s HD710 Pro model. While any performance gain is appreciated, the difference compared to its predecessor is not substantial.
Interestingly, performance characteristics change minimally when the drive is filled to 80% capacity:
The drive maintains consistent speeds even when nearing full capacity, a notable improvement over the HD710 Pro, which experienced a significant performance drop under similar conditions. This is a positive characteristic.
As with previous models, ADATA emphasizes ruggedness and durability. The HD770G carries an IP68 certification, signifying its resistance to dust and water ingress, provided the USB port is properly sealed with the rubber cover. This allows for submersion in several meters of water for a specified duration. The robust enclosure provides impact protection against drops from heights up to 1.22 meters. While this height provides adequate protection from common accidents, it may not fully safeguard against drops from greater heights. Nevertheless, these features provide valuable peace of mind for users working in demanding environments or frequently transporting their external storage.
The distinguishing feature of this year’s model is the integration of RGB lighting within the enclosure. The lighting cycles through vibrant neon colors, mirroring the aesthetic of gaming keyboards, mice, and PC cases. While purely cosmetic, this feature will likely appeal to gamers and enthusiasts who value RGB customization. This drive may be particularly appealing to gamers attending events such as Dreamhack, seeking a durable and visually distinctive external storage solution.
For users outside of this demographic, the value proposition of the HD770G becomes less clear. Without a definitive retail price, a precise value assessment is challenging. However, the inclusion of RGB lighting and the ruggedized, IP68-rated enclosure contribute to the overall cost. These features, while potentially desirable, may not be essential for all users, particularly when weighed against performance and storage capacity per unit cost. Consider the 2TB version, which we evaluated over several weeks: projected pricing suggests a cost of approximately 1,200 SEK. For a similar investment, a Seagate Expansion Portable Drive offers 4TB of storage. While a direct comparison is beyond the scope of this review, it’s unlikely that the performance differences between the two drives would justify the premium for the HD770G for users primarily concerned with affordability and storage capacity, rather than RGB aesthetics and ruggedization.
In conclusion, the HD770G occupies a specific niche. For gamers who prioritize durability, visual flair, and RGB customization, the HD770G presents a compelling option: it provides reliable performance for its interface and price point. Note, however, that the included USB cable is quite short. For users who do not require these features, alternative external drives offer greater storage capacity for a comparable price. Potential thermal considerations associated with the rubber enclosure and RGB lighting should also be considered for long-term reliability.
The final rating reflects this duality, leaning towards a 7 (Recommended for RGB gamers) and a 5 (Acceptable for general use). The overall average score is a 6. The HD770G is a capable product, but its pricing in the competitive Swedish market may be too high for the average user seeking primarily value and storage capacity.
