Apple Neo Transfer Speeds

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Gnits

Gnits

Matt O’Brien
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Has anyone measured transfer speeds copying , say , from CfExpress Card to external SSD using the Apple Neo.

Just wondering how the Neo would perform for backing up cards to disk while travelling and need lightest solution possible.
 
As you probably know I have been using a Neo as my travel computer since they were first introduced. I’l time the CG Express card copy time and report back

I have a USB C Hub with 4 ports. The Neo has two USB C type ports (1-USB2 and 1-USB3). My Neo has 512GB Storage (My CF Express card holds 256GB). I back up my card to a 1TB HDD. So when backing up the Hub gets double duty
 
Super.. thanks.. It will be good to get a real world measurement.

I suspect using a suitable hub to plug in the card reader and external drive to the single USB 3 may provide optimum transfer performance as the second port is very slow.
 
The Equipment was as follows:

My Tests:
  1. CF Card (USB2) to HDD (USB3). =. 3:20 for 7.84GB (~38Mb/S )
  2. CF Card (USB3) to Hub to HDD (USB3). =. 2:20 for 7.84GB (~31Mb/S )
  3. CF Card (USB3) to Internal Storage . =. 0:22 for 7.84GB (~356Mb/S )
  4. Internal Storage to HDD (USB3) . =. 2:20 for 7.84GB (~31Mb/S )
  5. Internal Storage to SanDisk(USB3) . =. 0:30 for 7.84GB (~310Mb/S )
  6. CF Card (USB3) to Hub to SanDisk(USB3) . =. 0:30 for 7.84GB (~310Mb/S )
My Conclusion is the fastest card to Disk is when the destination target is a fast SSD and not a spinning HDD. Using a Hub is better that using the two USB-C ports on the Neo
 
Neo Setup.jpg
 
Thanks for your comprehensive testing.

I will digest the results later when I get home.

I plan to borrow a v fast Cf express card and do a test to my MacAir M2 and external Sandisk T9 drive, representing the fastest possible on my travel laptop.

I was disappointed to discover the weight of the Neo at 1.23 Kgs. I was expecting it to be lighter. I think that might be the same weight as the MacAir

A friend will be doing a remote trip shortly and with several similar trips in the pipeline.. anxious to find a long term very light backup strategy.

At its price point.. the Neo looks like an excellent backup tool for many.

It might be a few days before I can test my MacAir. I will post the results here for anyone interested in the comparison.
 
If someone doesn't already have a hub for a MacBook Neo, this looks like an option, it has a built-in 2-slot card reader:
https://satechi.com/products/usb-c-snap-hub

This is not an endorsement, I’ve never used that hub or a Neo. The only thing I don't like about that hub is that the USB ports are only “USB 3.2 Gen 1, Up to 5Gbps”. (I’d prefer a hub that supported the full 10 Gb/sec of the Neo’s faster USB-C port.) But it’s compact, so the only thing you might need to add is an external drive.
 
Gnits said:
Thanks for your comprehensive testing.

I will digest the results later when I get home.

I plan to borrow a v fast Cf express card and do a test to my MacAir M2 and external Sandisk T9 drive, representing the fastest possible on my travel laptop.

I was disappointed to discover the weight of the Neo at 1.23 Kgs. I was expecting it to be lighter. I think that might be the same weight as the MacAir

A friend will be doing a remote trip shortly and with several similar trips in the pipeline.. anxious to find a long term very light backup strategy.

At its price point.. the Neo looks like an excellent backup tool for many.

It might be a few days before I can test my MacAir. I will post the results here for anyone interested in the comparison.
Click to expand...
If you or your friend want a lightest setup, why not try a modern iPad Air. That would save a lot of weight.
My M2 iPad Air is equipped with USB3 with transfer rate up to 10Gb/s.
 
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I don't intend to backpack with my Neo. My Camera gear is a challenge as it is. Weight is not a critical issue for me with the Neo ( and it is similar to my iPadPro). The advantage for me is that I can run Lightroom Desktop and sync directly into the Adobe Cloud. Lightroom Desktop has more Classic features than Lightroom Mobile. Not shown in the Photo is a second 1TB HDD that I use for Time Machine backups I could also use the internets BackBlaze as a Backup solution.

My primary use is Lightroom Desktop which stores ym Lightroom work in the cloud and is automatically syncing to my Mac Studio running 7X24 at home.
The transfer from the card to the computer is speedy. And other than a time Machine Backup and the Adobe cloud I have no plans to do a card to disk backup
 
Swingman said:
If you or your friend want a lightest setup, why not try a modern iPad Air. That would save a lot of weight.
My M2 iPad Air is equipped with USB3 with transfer rate up to 10Gb/s.
Click to expand...
The MBA13" weighs the same as the Neo but at twice the price.
 
Conrad Chavez said:
If someone doesn't already have a hub for a MacBook Neo, this looks like an option, it has a built-in 2-slot card reader:
https://satechi.com/products/usb-c-snap-hub

This is not an endorsement, I’ve never used that hub or a Neo. The only thing I don't like about that hub is that the USB ports are only “USB 3.2 Gen 1, Up to 5Gbps”. (I’d prefer a hub that supported the full 10 Gb/sec of the Neo’s faster USB-C port.) But it’s compact, so the only thing you might need to add is an external drive.
Click to expand...
We are really needing CFexpress card readers. This is not present in your suggested hub. I have not found a hub with a built in CFexpress card reader. The Satechi hub consumes both ports. The Hub that I referenced has 4 10GB/s ports and leaves the USB2 port on the Neo Available for charging
 
Swingman said:
why not try a modern iPad Air.
Click to expand...
I think this might be a serious option .. but only if I could find a user friendly File Transfer app. I am not happy using the generic Files App for repetitive, mission critical , file transfers. I hope there is a good app out there that I just have not found.

I have tasked myself to learn how to write Swift /Xcode as a winter project and might have a go at doing a simple app.. but would much prefer to use a polished developed app.

Ps. I will digest the various comments later tonight or in the morning.
 
Gnits said:
Just to clarify..7.84 GB in 30 seconds ? ... ( so approx 7840/30 MB / s). Ie 310Megabytes per second ?)
Click to expand...
The total is accurate, the time is accurate I'm not sure about my conversion math!!
Gnits said:
I think this might be a serious option .. but only if I could find a user friendly File Transfer app. I am not happy using the generic Files App for repetitive, mission critical , file transfers. I hope there is a good app out there that I just have not found.
Click to expand...
Remember the Neo and the MBA both run the same MacOS and apps. Your only differences are the installed ports and the Price!
 
Vg.. Then. 250-300 Megabytes per sec.. Good to get a number in the zone. I do not care if I use 1000 or 1024 base units in the calc. That speed would be ok.

The Neo is vg for its price, but its weight is a disappointment. After that .. it is a simple price / performance decision.

For this specific query... weight is a major factor to consider.. as the last leg of the journey is usually on small plane to remote locations and tiny internal overhead lockers seriously limit what gear can be carried.
 
Gnits said:
I think this might be a serious option .. but only if I could find a user friendly File Transfer app. I am not happy using the generic Files App for repetitive, mission critical , file transfers. I hope there is a good app out there that I just have not found.
Click to expand...
That got me to thinking. I came up with TeraCopy. Which I was able to repeat Test #2 at 2:30. Similar times to finder but has checksums.

Both the Neo and the 13" MBA are listed by Apple at 1.23kg. The 11" iPadPro weighs in at 446gr but this does not include the magic keyboard. (my older M1 iPadPro weighs 1.35kg with keyboard)
 
I am happy with Beyond Compare and have a GoodSynch licence (because you can schedule GS tasks for my MacAir. I prefer BC as I like its GUI.

But.. I am keen to find a good App for an iPad (Pro or Air)... as a possible low weight option. I also have an iPhone 16 Pro Max with a TB of storage, so that would also be a convenient backup tool, should I find a good app for the job.

I have just this minute tripped over this from OWC.. definitely a respected brand.

https://www.owc.com/solutions/copy-that-mobile

I will explore this further.. at the moment have only scanned the key points. It may be limited to just copy from iOS device to disk.. not an external card reader.. but will check.

(I still plan to do a transfer sped test on my own MacAir.. mainly out of interest).

Teracopy rings a bell, maybe from my earlier Windows days.
 
Gnits said:
I have just this minute tripped over this from OWC.. definitely a respected brand.
https://www.owc.com/solutions/copy-that-mobile
I will explore this further.. at the moment have only scanned the key points. It may be limited to just copy from iOS device to disk.. not an external card reader.. but will check.
Click to expand...

I had similar concerns about whether Copy That could handle things like card-to-SSD and also, incremental backups so that if new images were added to a card, it would copy only the changed files.

I think I posted about this one before: Sync Folders Pro. It's an iOS app that seems powerful enough to be comparable to the good backup/sync apps on macOS/Windows. (There is a Pro+ version, but its features are not needed for this.)
https://www.greenworldsoft.com/sync-folders-pro-ios-help.php

I like that it has many options for you to fine-tune how you want it to work, along with clear progress bars and detailed logging. It also has a feature I require in my desktop backup/sync apps: Preview an operation to see which files might be deleted/changed.

I created presets (it calls them “tasks”) for doing a complete or incremental backup of a camera card to an external SSD plugged into the iPad. I have multiple presets so that each camera's card goes to a different folder on the external SSD. These presets all bypass the internal iPad storage, so it doesn’t get full.
 
Conrad Chavez said:
I created presets (it calls them “tasks”) for doing a complete or incremental backup of a camera card to an external SSD plugged into the iPad. I have multiple presets so that each camera's card goes to a different folder on the external SSD. These presets all bypass the internal iPad storage, so it doesn’t get full.
Click to expand...
This is super info. I will explore further. It may be the weekend before I can test.
 
Looking at their screen grabs is very encouraging. As I have written these type of apps myself in the past I know what features to look for and they seem to cover most angles. I have a few queries.. which I think familiarisation and testing will be needed to clarify.

Any idea who the developer might be... Their web site does not provide much background info.

https://www.greenworldsoft.com/sync-folders-pro-ios-help.php
 
Thanks.

I can see that I downloaded this to my iPad some time back... I do not recall testing it at the time. I suspect I purchased a device with internal drive and card reader .. which probably solved my travel needs then. Unfortunately, the company supplying the device went bust .. and ongoing support disappeared... so it is now effectively an expensive paperweight. I probably bought a MacAir around this time for travel ... so have evolved my own travel workflow and backups using the MacAir, which is close to perfect for my needs... so not under personal pressure to change.

However, I do know people who go to extreme locations. These people usually have fully specified Macbook Pros M4 or M5s, etc ... but these are too heavy to bring.

I have always sought the ideal mobile card backup device .. and I scratch that itch when ever the opportunity arises.

So I just purchased the pro version of this app. I created, on my iPad .. TestFolderA and TestFolderB. Placed an image into TestFolderA .. and setup this "Task".

It worked perfectly.

1784111325814.png


I will set up a more comprehensive real world test and do timings .. hopefully this weekend. I will test with my iPhone and iPad and summarise the results here.

I can see this is a well designed and constructed app, by someone or some business who really understand what they are doing.

With the power of modern mobile devices now in our pockets, it should be possible to have a well designed , photographer/videographer friendly app to backup cards, either to the mobile device or an external ssd.

I am optimistic that this has prospects ... and I will try it out.
 
First attempt to use Synch Folders Pro (SFP)

Lexar Cf Express Card is source. Samsung T7 is target.

First attempt to use IPad Pro failed. Did not recognise card or T7 ssd. This was true in Files app and SFP. I will tr again when iPad battery > 80%

On iPhone 16 Pro Max.. I was able to set up a Task, select the Cf Card, T7 as destination and picked a copy mode. Started... no sign of progress but then got a message .. to quick to digest but saw the word power.

I used files to check if anything copied. I was shocked to see that 7GB of files had copied.. and so fast that I did not have time to set a timer running.

So...
1. I suspect I need to use a powered hub for this task (understandable).
2. I was unable to do simple tasks like rename folders in Files as the iOS keyboard did not pop up. I assume contention for peripherals.
3. The Files App is (for me) a horrendous tool and reason I do not want to use Files to copy cards to a disk. Also, have not figured out how to get simple info such as the number of files in a folder.

But on the positive side.. SFP copied approx 200 x 70MB raw files in just a few seconds (and maybe shorter than that).

I have accumulated a fair collection of usb hubs... but it looks like I need to find one with 2 usb c peripheral ports , a usb c port for the phone connection and a usb power delivery port.

I will post an update when I make progress.
 
iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation). 100% charged.

44GB on CF Express ( Lexar at 900MB/s) copied to Samsung T7 SSD. Total time 4 mins 20 secs.

Sustained avg is approx 170MB per second. Approx 650 x 70MB raw files copied.

I used a Belkin non powered hub with a USB C port to IPad and two usb c ports for peripheral connections. I will source a modern portable hub.

I will experiment further with this approach.
 
I relied on my iPad Pro for a long, international trip last year. Using a non-powered USB-C hub was reliable, but during large card-to-SSD transfers the iPad battery level dropped quickly, probably because the iPad has to power the hub and the SSD while also managing fast transfers. So although I could trust it to do card-to-SSD transfers on the iPad battery, I chose to preserve the iPad charge level by plugging the hub into AC mains or a USB-C PD power bank.

It looks likely that the iPhone would have more trouble. A very rough web search indicates that a recent iPhone can provide 4.5 watts through its USB-C port, while an iPad Pro can provide 5 to 7 watts. If that's true, that might be why the iPhone complains about power, and would work better if the USB-C hub is powered.
 
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