It used to be hard to get into video and photo editing. Equipment was bulky and software was expensive. Thankfully, today you can take excellent photos or videos on phones, tablets, and the latest generation of digital cameras. You can edit from your phone, tablet, or computer. But with an increase in photos and videos comes an increased need for storage, especially for those aspiring editors working on 4K video files. 

In the past, hard disk drives (HDDs) were too slow, and solid state drives (SSDs) didn’t have enough storage or were too expensive. With Crucial external SSDs, creatives have affordable and powerful storage that fits in the palm of their hand. Crucial external SSDs are compact enough to carry on even the most remote shoots, yet powerful and fast enough for directly storing, backing up, and editing photos and video files. 

Form Factor

For some, having compact gear is crucial. For others, it’s a novelty. No one can argue against the convenience of smaller gear. Sure, it can be stylish and look great, but it also needs to get the job done. All Crucial external SSDs feature both form and function. For those who venture far off the beaten path, size, weight, and performance can be key to getting the shot, backing up files, and editing on the go.  

If you’re a creative who carries around gear, choosing the right drive can make or break your setup. The weight of gear adds up, and for action sports enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, vloggers, or amateur photographers, it can take a toll. The newer generations of Crucial external SSDs are lightweight and easy to fit into a pocket at 65 x 50 millimeters (smaller than the average credit card). The Pro designs also feature an integrated lanyard hole for ultra-portable storage.  

Pairing a portable drive with your camera setup gives you the option to shoot and store more files. Crucial external SSDs are universally compatible, adding storage and speed to nearly any desktop or laptop, Mac or PC, tablet, or phone. Crucial external SSDs are shock, vibration, and extreme temperature resistant, and have been tested to withstand 7.5 feet (2.2 meters) drops, making them your perfect companion for any adventure. In 2019, scientists researching Greenland’s ice sheets even used Crucial SSDs due to their reliability in the extreme cold. 

Paris stage shoot image

Performance

Choosing the right storage device can be tough for even the most seasoned creatives. No matter how spacious, your drive will eventually fill to capacity. Large drives are not always the fastest, nor are the smallest. How the drive interfaces directly with your machine can influence its speed. Choosing a drive requires understanding what you will be doing and your equipment. Will you be editing on a laptop or tablet when you are getting started, or connecting via USB-A or USB-C? Crucial offers adapters along with external SSDs that can work with either set up. 

The Crucial X9 Portable SSD has read speeds up to 1,050MB/s, while the newest Crucial X10 Pro Portable  reaches speeds of 2,100MB/s. It's time for faster boot times, instant-load performance, and lightning-fast read and write speeds to revolutionize your process. With a portable Crucial storage solution in the field, you can back up your photos or videos faster, which gets you back to shooting and creating. 

Make it work for you

For creatives on the go or starting out, one of the best Crucial features is the ability to back up while on the go. Depending on the file size, bitrate, or resolution, you can even edit certain files directly from the drive. Once home, you can plug your external SSD into a more powerful machine and finish editing your work without needing to transfer the files to that machine. This is hugely beneficial when traveling or if you work on multiple workstations. Your time is valuable, and Crucial can help you get the most out of every second.  

Video editing is demanding for storage devices. Not only are video files huge, but the software requirements can also present challenges. Crucial offers a wide range of external SSDs suitable for amateur creatives and professionals who need additional storage in the field or simply needing to transport files. Universally compatible and incredibly fast, Crucial externals SSDs offer options that will work with a variety of devices through easy plug-and-play USB connections. We all know that creatives need speed, and Crucial external SSDs will get you started on the video editing fast track.  

At some point your portfolio is going to start growing and require more and more storage. Crucial external SSDs give you the ability to store, encrypt, transport and edit your portfolio wherever and whenever you go.  

FAQs

  • Is an SSD better than HDD for video editing?

    While hard disk drives are typically more affordable than SSDs, an HDD will lose when up against the SSD in categories like speed, portability, mechanical failure, durability, and energy use. Learn more about this drive duel from our solutions article on the differences between HDDs and SSDs.  

  • How fast of an SSD do I need for video editing?

    While some set a minimum speed of 400MB/s to edit varying camera formats, you're going to want faster storage to avoid the dreaded lag and keep your video editing and upload process quick and smooth. Something closer to 800MB/s may be sufficient for higher loads of video editing, but professionals may want to opt for something over 2,000MB/s like the Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD for fast, sustained performance.  

  • How much storage do I need for 4K video editing?

    4K is one of the highest resolutions, which requires several terabytes of storage for video editing. Adobe’s general rule of thumb is to have “3-4x the storage size of your raw footage.” High-resolution video editing may call for four terabytes, while resolutions below 4K could work fine on one terabyte.  

  • How much RAM do I need for video editing?

    While a casual user can get by with 8GB of RAM, an intermediate user operating flash games, playing music, editing video, and multitasking with other applications would want at least 16GB of RAM. However, if you’re a professional who is editing high-definition video like 4 or 8K, 3D modelling, or into high-performance gaming, then 32-64GB of RAM would be preferable. Dive deeper into your memory and find out how much RAM you need in our solutions article.  

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