I used the Samsung T7 Touch for transferring files between different computers and long-term storage drives, and as a working drive for editing 4K and Full HD video.
It works brilliantly as a portable storage drive, transferring files quickly and without a hitch. For example, just under 20GB of video files transferred to the drive from a 2019 iMac in a few seconds less than 2 minutes. Transferring them in the opposite direction took less than 35 seconds.
It also functions perfectly as a working drive for 4K video when connected to a Thunderbolt port on my iMac. There was no stuttering or other issues, it’s just as if the files as stored on the computer’s own drive.
While the T7 Touch mounted and performed well, Samsung’s software that is supplied with it for managing the security side initially gave me a few issues because my computer didn’t want to install it as it’s from an ‘unidentified developer’. Thankfully, that’s easily fixed via the System Preferences.
With that done, it’s easy to create a password to protect the drive and to add a fingerprint to keep files safe. The fingerprint reader on the T7 Touch works in a similar way to the one on many smartphones, you just need to keep moving your finger while it learns your fingerprint. It doesn’t take long.
If the drive is in ‘Security mode’ and you connect it to a computer without the PSSD software, you’re prompted to install it from the drive, which means you need to ensure that you don’t remove the installer from the drive. Once the software is installed, you can use the drive as normal.
Other than testing the system, I kept the Security mode turned off and used the T7 Touch as a normal drive with no need to use my fingerprint or password to unlock it before accessing any files.