ASUS ProArt PA40SU and ROG Strix Aiolos: a new level of portable SSDs

ASUS has officially launched the long-awaited accessories for data storage on the Ukrainian market – the high-tech external SSD pocket ProArt PA40SU, aimed at content creators, and the protected ROG Strix Aiolos for video game lovers. Both novelties are designed to provide maximum performance of NVMe drives and ease of use in mobile environments.

The novelties are premium solutions in the portable storage segment. The ProArt PA40SU model is aimed at professionals for whom the speed of processing heavy video files and stability under long-term loads are critical. In turn, ROG Strix Aiolos combines the brand’s gaming aesthetics with high reliability and protection from external influences.

ProArt PA40SU specifications

One of the key features of the ProArt PA40SU is the support of the USB4 interface, which provides a bandwidth of up to 40 Gbit/s. This allows you to transfer colossal amounts of information in a matter of minutes. The company’s internal tests showed that the device is capable of supporting a continuous transfer of up to 2,960 GB of data during a 30-minute session without losing performance.

To combat overheating, a well-thought-out cooling system is used, which includes a thermal pad and a built-in fan with four levels of work intensity. The push-to-open mechanism greatly simplifies SSD replacement without requiring special tools. The ProArt SSD Dashboard utility is provided to monitor the state of the disk.

Characteristics of ROG Strix Aiolos

The ROG Strix Aiolos gaming solution received a universal USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 connection. The device is distinguished by a two-layer cooling design and a unique coating made of liquid silicone rubber, which protects the drive from dirt, dust and shocks.

Comparisons and nuances

The choice between models depends on the work tasks. The ProArt PA40SU offers twice the peak speed (40 Gbps versus ROG’s 20 Gbps), which is critical for editing 4K/8K video directly from external media. However, the ROG Strix Aiolos is more versatile in terms of supporting SSD types (both NVMe and SATA are suitable) and is also better protected for use on the go.

Price and release date

The sale of novelties in Ukraine officially started on May 13 in the pre-order format. As is traditional for ASUS, discounted prices are available during the pre-order stage. After the official arrival of the product on store shelves, the price will increase.

• ASUS ProArt PA40SU: the order price is UAH 4,139 (~$103), the regular price is UAH 4,599 (~$115).
• ROG Strix Aiolos: the order price is UAH 3,599 (~$90), the regular price is UAH 3,999 (~$100).