X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Plextor M5 Pro review: Plextor M5 Pro

Plextor introduced the first solid-state drive that uses Marvell's 88SS9187 Monet controller, the M5 Pro today, that proved to be one of the fastest on the market.

Headshot of Dong Ngo
Headshot of Dong Ngo
Dong Ngo Former SF Labs Manager, Editor
Former CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He managed CNET's San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also wrote about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
Dong Ngo
4 min read

I've been reviewing solid-state drives (SSDs) from Plextor in order, starting with the M2, then the M3, but now I just broke that pattern by jumping straight to the M5 Pro, which was announced today, skipping the M5s.

8.1

Plextor M5 Pro

The Good

The <b>Plextor M5 Pro</b> solid-state drive (SSD) offers fast performance and comes with useful accessories and software.

The Bad

The drive doesn't include a USB-SATA adapter, and its pricing is not known at the time of the review.

The Bottom Line

Fast and compatible with all systems, the Plextor M5 Pro would be a great solid-state drive for anyone who can afford it.

The reason for this? Apart from doing it just because I could, the M5 Pro is intended to be Plextor's new top-tier drive and also the first from the company that supports the new 7mm design. I've got my priorities straight; in my testing, the drive indeed deserved this special attention.

The M5 Pro looks a lot better than Plextor's previous drives, which already look very good, and also offers fast performance. It also comes with a drive bay converter and more software than you need. Unfortunately, since I actually tested it prior to its release date, the information on its pricing wasn't available. That said, if the drive costs around $1.50 per gigabyte or less, it will make an excellent investment.

If not, you should also check out the Intel 520 series, the RunCore Pro V as alternatives, and I will possibly lower its rating.

Design and features

8.1

Plextor M5 Pro

Score Breakdown

Design 8Features 8Performance 8Support 9