INLAND 2230 Internal SSD 1TB Review: Is This Tiny Drive Worth It?

Looking for a compact yet powerful storage solution for your small device? The Inland 2230 SSD packs impressive performance into an ultra-small form factor, making it an excellent choice for Steam Deck upgrades, ultrabooks, or NUCs.

This 1TB Gen4 M.2 SSD delivers sequential read speeds up to 4,700 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,700 MB/s, providing significant performance improvements for system startups and applications. The 22x30mm size ensures it fits perfectly in space-constrained devices where larger SSDs simply won’t work.

INLAND 2230 Internal SSD 1TB High Performance Gen4x4 M.2 2230 30mm Internal Solid State Drive PCIe 4.0, up to 4,700 MB/s, TN446
  • TINY POWERHOUSE: 22x30mm small form factor with sequential read/write speeds up to 4,700/3,700 MB/s and 800,000/900,000 IOPS, bringing quicker system startup and improved performance to client applications.
  • EXCEPTIONAL ENDURANCE: 600 TBW (Terabytes Written) and 1,500,000 hours MTBF thanks to the 112-layer TLC NAND.
  • STORAGE EXPANSION: this retail SSD up to 1TB is your ideal alternative or memory expansion to the OEM SSDs. Brick-and-mortar availability and 6-Year Limited Warranty for peace of mind.

INLAND 2230 Internal SSD 1TB Review: Is This Tiny Drive Worth It?

With 600 TBW endurance rating and a 6-year warranty, the Inland 2230 offers reliability alongside its impressive performance. Users particularly appreciate its compatibility with gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and the Lenovo Legion Go, where it serves as an excellent capacity upgrade from factory storage.

The DRAM-less, single-sided design helps keep power consumption low, producing less heat during operation. This makes it especially suitable for small form factor devices where thermal management is crucial.

Bottom Line

The Inland 2230 SSD offers an excellent balance of performance, size, and value for anyone needing to upgrade storage in compact devices.

Its impressive speeds and reliable operation make it a smart choice for expanding your Steam Deck, ultrabook, or other small form factor system.

Ready to boost your device’s performance? Check out the Inland 2230 SSD on Amazon and enjoy faster load times and more storage today!

Overview: The INLAND 2230 Internal SSD 1TB High Performance

Looking for a tiny but mighty storage solution? The Inland 2230 SSD packs impressive performance into an ultra-compact 22x30mm form factor. This Gen4x4 PCIe drive delivers sequential read speeds up to 4,700 MB/s and write speeds reaching 3,700 MB/s, making it significantly faster than traditional storage options.

The drive offers exceptional reliability with a 600 TBW endurance rating and 1,500,000 hours MTBF. This makes it particularly well-suited for specialized compact devices like the Steam Deck, ultrabooks, and NUCs where space is at a premium.

Its single-sided, DRAM-less design contributes to lower power consumption and heat generation. This 1TB model provides ample storage while maintaining compatibility with various small form factor devices.

The Inland 2230 comes with a reassuring 6-year warranty, making it a solid alternative to often more expensive OEM SSDs. With strong customer satisfaction ratings, this drive balances compact size, performance, and reliability.

Tiny Powerhouse

In the world of storage solutions, size doesn’t always dictate performance. The Inland 2230 SSD packs remarkable speed into an incredibly compact 22x30mm form factor. With sequential read speeds reaching up to 4,700 MB/s and write speeds of 3,700 MB/s, this diminutive drive delivers desktop-class performance for small devices.

The 112-layer TLC NAND technology gives this SSD exceptional endurance, rated for 600 TBW and a 1.5 million hour MTBF. Despite its powerful performance, the drive maintains efficiency with its DRAM-less, single-sided design that reduces heat and power consumption.

Perfect for space-constrained devices like the Steam Deck, ultrabooks, NUCs, and tablets, this SSD proves that significant performance upgrades don’t require significant space. The Inland 2230 demonstrates that powerful computing components continue to shrink while capabilities expand.

Exceptional Endurance

Reliability is a critical factor when considering an SSD for your devices. The TN446 delivers impressive durability with a 600 TBW (Terabytes Written) rating, meaning you can write and rewrite data equivalent to 600 terabytes before potential degradation begins. This endurance rating offers peace of mind for heavy users.

The drive’s 1,500,000 hours MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is equally impressive, showcasing the quality engineering behind this compact storage solution. This robust longevity is enabled by the 112-layer TLC NAND technology, which balances performance, capacity, and durability effectively.

Users will appreciate the included 6-Year Limited Warranty, which exceeds industry standards and demonstrates the manufacturer’s confidence in their product’s durability. The combination of high endurance ratings and warranty protection makes this SSD a dependable choice for long-term use in compatible devices.

Easy Storage Expansion

Finding more storage for compact devices can be challenging, but the Inland 2230 SSD offers an excellent solution. With a capacity of 1TB packed into the tiny 22x30mm form factor, this drive provides substantial space expansion for devices where larger SSDs won’t fit. The drive serves as an ideal alternative to original equipment manufacturer SSDs, making it perfect for upgrading Steam Deck consoles, ultrabooks, NUCs, and similar compact systems that need more space.

Unlike many specialty components, this SSD is readily available at brick-and-mortar retailers, eliminating long wait times for online orders. The storage expansion comes with peace of mind through Inland’s generous 6-year limited warranty. For users looking to overcome storage limitations in their compact devices, this M.2 2230 SSD offers an accessible path to significant capacity increases without compromising on performance or reliability.

Designed for Low Power Consumption

Energy efficiency stands out as a notable feature in this compact SSD. The Inland 2230 operates with minimal power draw thanks to its DRAM-less, single-sided design. It fully supports advanced power management protocols including APST, ASPM, and L1.2 power states.

These power-saving features translate to practical benefits for users. The drive generates less heat during operation, which is particularly valuable in small form factor devices like the Steam Deck or ultrabooks where thermal management can be challenging. Lower power consumption also means extended battery life for portable devices.

The 2230’s energy efficiency doesn’t compromise its performance capabilities. Even while conserving power, it still delivers impressive speeds up to 4,700 MB/s read and 3,700 MB/s write. This balance of power efficiency and performance makes it particularly well-suited for mobile computing where battery life is a priority.

Compatibility and Versatility

The compact form factor of this SSD opens up impressive compatibility options for users with various devices. The INLAND 2230 works seamlessly with laptops, gaming consoles, desktops, and tablets that support the M.2 2230 form factor. This 30mm length makes it particularly valuable for space-constrained devices like the Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface products, and ultraportable laptops.

Backward compatibility is a notable advantage, allowing the drive to function in PCIe 3.0 slots while still delivering solid performance. The drive is platform-agnostic, working across PC, Linux, and Mac systems that support the appropriate interface.

Despite its specialized form factor, the INLAND offers practical versatility through its PCIe 4.0 interface. Users should verify their device’s exact compatibility requirements before purchase, as the 2230 size is less common than larger M.2 formats like 2280.

Pros and Cons

When choosing a high-performance SSD, understanding both the advantages and limitations helps make an informed decision. The INLAND 2230 offers several compelling benefits alongside a few considerations to keep in mind before purchasing.

Pros

  • Impressive speed performance with sequential read/write speeds up to 4,700/3,700 MB/s, significantly faster than traditional SATA SSDs
  • Compact 22x30mm form factor makes it ideal for space-constrained devices like Steam Deck and ultrabooks
  • Generous 1TB capacity provides ample storage for games, applications, and system files
  • Strong reliability with 600 TBW endurance rating and 1,500,000 hours MTBF
  • Energy efficient design with low power consumption features that produce less heat
  • Comprehensive 6-year warranty offers peace of mind for long-term use

Cons

  • Potential heat concerns as some user reviews mention thermal issues that could affect longevity
  • DRAM-less architecture may impact sustained performance in some intensive workloads
  • Limited compatibility with older systems that don’t support PCIe 4.0 or the 2230 form factor
  • May be overkill for casual users who won’t utilize the full speed capabilities
  • Some reports of DOA units requiring replacement, suggesting possible quality control issues

The INLAND 2230’s excellent speed-to-price ratio makes it a strong contender for users looking to upgrade compatible devices, though careful installation with adequate cooling is recommended for optimal performance.

Analyzing Customer Feedback

Users have overwhelmingly positive experiences with the Inland 2230 SSD, as evidenced by its impressive 4.6-star rating from over 840 reviews. Many customers highlight the drive’s exceptional value proposition, noting that NVMe technology now matches SATA SSD pricing while delivering significantly better performance.

Performance satisfaction varies among different user setups. Gamers and power users with high-end rigs (like those with Ryzen 7950x3d CPUs and RTX 4090 GPUs) mention the drive performs reliably, though some note diminishing real-world advantages over mid-tier SSDs. The 2230 form factor earns praise from specialized device owners, particularly in Raspberry Pi 5 setups and the Lenovo Legion Go.

One concerning pattern emerges regarding longevity. Some reviewers report failures around the two-year mark, potentially due to heat issues despite proper installation with heat spreaders. This suggests temperature management might be important for long-term reliability with this particular model.

Conclusion

This M.2 2230 SSD offers impressive performance for its compact size. The Inland 2230’s Gen4 speeds up to 4,700 MB/s place it firmly in high-performance territory, making it an excellent choice for space-constrained devices like the Raspberry Pi 5 or handheld gaming PCs. While some users reported longevity concerns related to heat management, most customers found it to be a reliable and significant upgrade from SATA SSDs. The value proposition is particularly strong, as it delivers NVMe speeds at competitive price points. For those with compatible devices needing storage expansion, this drive strikes a good balance between speed, size, and cost. Buyers should ensure proper cooling solutions are in place for optimal longevity, especially in demanding applications. Overall, the Inland 2230 serves its intended purpose well, providing fast, compact storage for specialized use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about upgrading your storage with a compact SSD? The Inland 2230 has become a popular option for portable devices and space-constrained builds. Let’s address some common questions about this tiny yet powerful drive to help you make an informed decision.

How does the performance of the Inland 2230 1TB SSD compare to other SSDs in its class for gaming?

The Inland 2230 delivers impressive gaming performance compared to competitors in the compact 2230 form factor. With sequential read speeds up to 4,700 MB/s, it provides fast game loading times that rival larger M.2 drives. The drive’s PCIe 4.0 interface puts it ahead of many PCIe 3.0 alternatives in its size class. While slightly behind premium options like certain Samsung models, the performance difference in real-world gaming scenarios is often minimal, making the Inland 2230 a strong contender for portable gaming systems.

What are the read and write speeds for the Inland 2230 1TB Internal SSD?

The Inland 2230 1TB SSD boasts impressive speeds:

  • Sequential Read: Up to 4,700 MB/s
  • Sequential Write: Up to 3,700 MB/s
  • Random Read IOPS: Up to 800,000
  • Random Write IOPS: Up to 900,000

These specifications place it firmly in the high-performance category for PCIe 4.0 drives, especially considering its compact 2230 form factor.

Is the Inland 2230 1TB SSD compatible with systems like the Steam Deck for upgrades?

Yes, the Inland 2230 1TB SSD is specifically designed for compatibility with compact systems like the Steam Deck. Its 22×30mm form factor makes it an ideal upgrade option for Steam Deck, certain ultrabooks, NUCs, and HTPCs that require this specific size. Many users have successfully installed this drive in their Steam Deck systems as a storage upgrade. The drive’s low power consumption also makes it suitable for these portable devices where battery life is a concern.

What has been the user experience with the Inland 2230 1TB SSD according to reviews on Amazon?

User experiences with the Inland 2230 have been predominantly positive, with the drive maintaining a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from over 840 reviews. Users frequently highlight the drive’s excellent value, reliable performance, and straightforward installation process. Many reviewers mention successfully using it in Steam Deck upgrades and laptop expansions. Some users note that performance meets or exceeds expectations for gaming and everyday computing tasks. There are occasional reports of defective units, but these appear to be relatively uncommon based on the overall rating.

How does the Inland 2230 1TB SSD’s reliability compare to other SSD brands?

The Inland 2230 offers solid reliability metrics compared to other brands. The drive features:

  • Endurance Rating: 600 TBW (Terabytes Written)
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): 1,500,000 hours
  • Warranty: 6-year limited warranty

These specifications indicate good durability, particularly with its 112-layer TLC NAND flash memory. While premium brands like Samsung may offer slightly higher endurance ratings, the Inland’s 600 TBW is sufficient for most users’ needs. The 6-year warranty also exceeds many competitors in this price range, suggesting manufacturer confidence in the product’s longevity.

Can the Inland 2230 1TB SSD be considered the best value for capacity and performance among current 2230 SSD options?

The Inland 2230 1TB represents excellent value in the 2230 form factor market. When considering the combination of capacity, performance, and price, it stands out among current options. The drive offers PCIe 4.0 speeds at a price point typically associated with slower drives. While there are faster 2230 SSDs available, they generally command a significant price premium for marginal real-world performance gains. The 1TB capacity hits a sweet spot for many users, particularly in portable systems where balancing storage space and cost is crucial. For most users seeking to upgrade compact devices, the Inland 2230 1TB provides an optimal balance of performance, capacity, and affordability.