Apple charges too damn much for additional storage for Macs and iPads. I got tired of overpaying for internal storage and went for an external SSD instead. The Kingston XS1000 is my favorite — portable, reliable and affordable.
And it’s an even better deal now that Cyber Monday is coming up: under $75 for a terabyte of storage.
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Save money with an external SSD
It’s flatly ridiculous that configuring a MacBook Air from 256GB of storage to 1TB costs $400. I’m willing to pay the Apple Tax to get good computers, but that only goes so far — and paying four times as much as necessary for storage is too far.
Cloud storage isn’t the best alternative for me. I travel frequently, so finding myself without internet access isn’t unusual. And it usually happens when I’m actually in transit, which is exactly when I want to watch a movie in my collection.
That’s why I keep a Kingston XS1000 in my gear bag. With it, my movie collection is always available. And I can easily swap it between MacBook and iPad — even iPhone — depending on which is most convenient. Just connect it with the included USB-C cable.
There are versions up to 2TB, but the SSD is only 2.75 inches by 1.3 inches by 0.5 inches so it’s very portable. And the USB-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, so Mac and iPad users can move data at up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write. The Cult of Mac review goes into more detail.
Photo: Kingston
Save on Kingston XS1000 SSD for Cyber Monday
The Kingston XS1000 SSD is always a good deal, but it’s an even better one if you buy it today or Cyber Monday.
The 1TB version ordinarily costs $84.99, but it’s $74.99 after a 12% discount.
Buy it from: Amazon
And the 2TB version would cost $139.99, but it sets you back $119.99 after a 14% discount.
Buy it from: Amazon
The Kingston XS1000 is about the size of pack of gum but holds up to 2TB. And it can transfer files at high speed, too. Connect it to a wide variety of computers via its USB-C port.
1TB and 2TB versions are available.
- Portable
- Reliable
- Affordable
- Not rugged
More Cyber Monday Apple deals:
- All Apple deals: Apple Cyber Monday deals: iPads, AirPods, Apple Watch and more
- AirPods Pro 2: Price alert: AirPods Pro 2 price drops to just $153.99, lowest ever
- Beats headphones: Best Cyber Monday deals on Beats headphones and earbuds
- Apple Watch: New all-time low prices on Apple Watch for Cyber Monday
- iPad: Get all-time low prices on iPads for Cyber Monday [Price drops!]
- iPad mini: Cyber Monday low-price alert: Get $99 off iPad mini 7
- Mac: Nab these Cyber Monday deals on M4 Macs and more [Updated: Price drops!]
- HomePod: Save on HomePod 2 and HomePod mini speakers for Cyber Monday
- AirTags: Get 4 AirTags for less than $19 each with this Cyber Monday deal
- Apple Pencil: Grab Cyber Monday deals on the brilliant Apple Pencil
- Monitors: Score $300 off Studio Displays plus other Cyber Monday monitor deals
- Windows software: CdkeySales’ Black Friday Sale starts as Windows 12 rumors swirl
Our favorite Cyber Monday Deals on gear we love:
- MacBook Air: The MacBook Air I love is on sale for Cyber Monday
- M4 MacBook Pro: Why you should nab this killer Cyber Monday deal on M4 Pro MacBook Pro
- Beats headphones: My go-to Beats headphones are a Cyber Monday steal [Setups]
- iPad Pro: My favorite iPad is down to its lowest price this Cyber Monday
- Portable SSD: A portable SSD I love is on sale for Cyber Monday
- RAID drive: My favorite external storage setup, on sale this Cyber Monday
