ASUS has two similar M.2 NVMe SSD external portable enclosure case adapters. So, what are the main differences between the ROG Strix Arion and ROG Strix Arion Lite?
You can find out in this comparison between the two external solid state drive enclosure case adapters.
Quick Summary
When compared to the ASUS ROG Strix Arion Lite, the ASUS ROG Strix Arion comes with a hanging protective holder. The regular version also includes cables to connect to USB Type-A ports and USB Type-C ports.
With the ROG Strix Arion Lite, you can only connect to USB Type-C ports right out of the box unless you already have an USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable.
These two SSD external portable enclosure case adapters are identical when it comes to interface speed, compatible SSD formats, system requirements, heat dissipation features, temperature ranges, humidity ranges and power usage.
So, if you need a hanging protective holder and/or USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, then we recommend getting the ASUS ROG Strix Arion. Otherwise, the ASUS ROG Strix Arion Lite is the more affordable option.
ROG Strix Arion vs. ROG Strix Arion Lite Comparison Guide
You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the Strix Arion and Strix Arion Lite below.
| ASUS ROG Strix Arion M.2 NVMe SSD External Portable Enclosure Case Adapter | ASUS ROG Strix Arion Lite M.2 NVMe SSD External Portable Enclosure Case Adapter | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Black | Black |
| Dimension | 124.5 mm x 47.7 mm x 10.9 mm | 124.5 mm x 47.7 mm x 10.9 mm |
| Weight | 98 grams | 98 grams |
| Hanging Protective Holder | Included | Not included |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 |
| Interface Speed | Up to 10 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Mac OS X 10.6 or later Android devices with USB On-The-Go | Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Mac OS X 10.6 or later Android devices with USB On-The-Go |
| ASUS Aura Sync System Requirements | Windows 8 (64 bit) Windows 8.1 (64 bit) Windows 10 (64 bit) | Windows 8 (64 bit) Windows 8.1 (64 bit) Windows 10 (64 bit) |
| Solid State Drive Compatibility | M.2 PCI Express 2230 M.2 PCI Express 2242 M.2 PCI Express 2260 M.2 PCI Express 2280 | M.2 PCI Express 2230 M.2 PCI Express 2242 M.2 PCI Express 2260 M.2 PCI Express 2280 |
| Included USB Cables | USB Type-C to USB Type-A USB Type-C to USB Type-C | USB Type-C to USB Type-C |
| Heat Dissipation | Aluminum alloy case Thermal pads | Aluminum alloy case Thermal pads |
| Screwdriver-Free Installation? | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 ℃ (or 32 ℉) to 40 ℃ (or 104 ℉) | 0 ℃ (or 32 ℉) to 40 ℃ (or 104 ℉) |
| Storage Temperature Range | -20 ℃ (or -4 ℉) to 60 ℃ (or 140 ℉) | -20 ℃ (or -4 ℉) to 60 ℃ (or 140 ℉) |
| Operating Humidity Range | 15% to 80% | 15% to 80% |
| Storage Humidity Range | 10% to 90% | 10% to 90% |
| Voltage | 5V | 5V |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Color
The ROG Strix Arion and ROG Strix Arion Lite are both only available in black.
Dimension
The two enclosures are identical in size.
You can find the measurements, which is displayed as Length x Width x Height, below:
- 124.5 mm x 47.7 mm x 10.9 mm
Weight
The products also weigh the same at 98 grams.
Hanging Protective Holder
The ASUS ROG Strix Arion is the only one of the two solid state drive enclosures to come with a hanging protective holder.
Interface
The ROG Strix Arion and ROG Strix Arion Lite both use USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 as the interface.
Interface Speed
The two storage drive enclosures in this versus showdown have an interface speed of up to 10 Gbps.
Operating System Compatibility
The two products are compatible with the following operating systems:
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10
- Mac OS X 10.6 or later
- Android devices with USB On-The-Go
ASUS Aura Sync System Requirements
Both of these enclosures also feature RGB lighting as you can use ASUS Aura Sync if you have the following operating systems:
- Windows 8 (64 bit)
- Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
- Windows 10 (64 bit)
Solid State Drive Compatibility
The ASUS ROG Strix Arion and ASUS ROG Strix Arion Lite M.2 NVMe SSD External Portable Enclosure Case Adapters can be used with the following solid state drive types:
- M.2 PCI Express 2230
- M.2 PCI Express 2242
- M.2 PCI Express 2260
- M.2 PCI Express 2280
Included USB Cables
The ROG Strix Arion comes with USB Type-C to USB Type-A and USB Type-C to USB Type-C cables. As a result, you will be able to connect the enclosure with USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports.
The ROG Strix Arion Lite only comes with an USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable. So, you can only connect this enclosure to a USB Type-C port unless to have your own USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable.
Heat Dissipation
When it comes to heat dissipation, both of the enclosures use an aluminum alloy case and thermal pads.
Screwdriver-Free Installation
These two products also feature a screwdriver-free installation as these enclosures use pins and thumbscrews instead.
Operating Temperature Range
The ROG Strix Arion and ROG Strix Arion Lite have the same operating temperature range, which is from 0 ℃ (or 32 ℉) to 40 ℃ (or 104 ℉).
Storage Temperature Range
These enclosures also have the same non-operating temperature as you can store these products within a range of -20 ℃ (or -4 ℉) to 60 ℃ (or 140 ℉).
Operating Humidity Range
The regular and lite versions of the ROG Strix Arion have the same operating humidity range of 15% to 80%.
Storage Humidity Range
The two enclosures also have the same non-operating humidity range as both can be stored from 10% to 90%.
Voltage
When it comes to voltage, both ASUS products use 5V.
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