Alongside the announcement of its new UHS-I memory cards, Lexar has just announced the upcoming arrival of two interesting products for photographers: the Lexar Professional Workflow and the Workflow Go. An expected succession of the first hub launched in 2013 by the manufacturer.
Lexar Workflow: a hub to streamline the photographer’s data flow
In 2013, Lexar made its mark on the storage world with its Workflow systema hub equipped with 4 berries. This one, placed on the desk, had its own power supply and USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 2. It allowed to use different Lexar modules such as card readers (SD UHS-II, microSD UHS-II, CF, Cfast and even XQD) or external SSD drives 256 and 512 GB connected via USB 3.0.
Simultaneous unloading of cards
The advantage was to be able to unload several cards simultaneously, and not sequentially. Each module could also be used independentlyallowing you to have a card reader or an external disk on the move.
This product is remained in Lexar’s catalog until 2017before disappearing. Designed to be scalable over time, by integrating the latest formats of cards and storage support in new modules, this system had a USB 3.0 connectivity a little agingwhich also limited bitrates for images created with the highest-definition cameras.
New Lexar Professional Workflow
Fast forward. 11 years later.Lexar returns with a new hub Professional Workflowmore modern and more complete, but which takes up the same philosophy : allow you to store and unload your files in a way very fast and simultaneously from several sources.
6 bays for maximum modularity
The Professional Workflow is equipped with 6 bays for as many various modules. Its construction in aluminium makes it more durable. A integrated fan will also offer better heat dissipation.
Lexar has not yet made the list of available modules official, but during a hands-on we were able to note the following elements:
- a dual SD UHS-II reader
- a dual SD UHS-II and micro SD reader (UHS-II?)
- a CFexpress Type A reader
- a CFexpress Type B reader
- 2 and 4 TB SSDs (8 TB coming soon) certified IP68
Thunderbolt 4 et Power Delivery 140W
The system integrates technology Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 for speeds up to 40 Gb/s. A USB-C port Power Delivery de 140 W (charger included) powers all modules, while charging a laptop.
On the connectivity side, we find 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports on the backincluding one dedicated to the computer, as well as a USB-A port and a USB-C port on facade.
It should be noted, however, that some slots are limited to 10 Gb/s, or USB 3.1, surely in order to allow maximum throughput on the other bays which will accommodate SSDs and fast drives. It remains to be seen whether the SSDs used will be able to take advantage of 40 Gb/s with USB 4 connectivity, which is far from certain.
Workflow Go, to save your photos without a computer
With the Workflow GoLexar is interested in traveling photographers or on an excursion, who wish save their photos without a computer. This device, designed for portable use, has a detachable battery of 5000 mAh which allows uninterrupted backup of approximately 1h30 according to Lexar.
Two bays to unload data
Le Workflow Go dispose de two berriesallowing the use of a memory card reader and one SSDin order to easily unload your data from memory card to SSD. It uses same modules as Pro Workflowfor perfect integration when you return home or to the studio.
Smartphone connectivity
If the battery can also be used as a Powerbank, it is because the Workflow Go requires the use of a smartphone for transfer. By connecting your iOS or Android smartphone via USB to the Go (no Bluetooth), you can transfer your photos using the Files app on iOSwhich supports external media, for example. A dedicated Lexar application is expected to be developed later.
You can then decide to copy the card to an external drive, or to transfer the images to your smartphone. It is even possible to save images made on smartphone on an SSD module for example. We also imagine that the Go will work with iPadOS.
Compact and scratch resistant
The Workflow Go is the height of a large 3.5 inch external hard drivebut remains compact. It has a aluminum hull with a finish touted as scratch-resistant. It has theUSB-C 3.1 (up to 10 Gb/s). We also hope that it can also be used with a computer, by connecting it via USB-C, in order to serve as a hub d’appoint back to the hotel for example.
Price and availability
The Lexar Professional Workflow and Workflow Go are expected to be available during the summer In France.
For the moment, their price is not yet available, although we think that the Pro Workflow will be priced around €500, and that the Workflow Go could be marketed at around €150. The price of the modules is also still unknown.
Our first opinion
Good to see Lexar be interested in photographers and creators with its two Workflow products well thought out. Le Professional Workflow combine multiple card reader and storage stationwith a modular and scalable design which was the strength of the first Workflow released in 2013.
The addition of Thunderbolt 4 actually a system future proof, allowing you to empty your cards very quickly simultaneously, even if we still don’t know if SSDs will make it possible to exploit this performance. It’s also a shame that Lexar didn’t push the logic a little further, by providing this system with an HDMI and Ethernet port, allowing it to be used as a docking station for a laptop.
For its part, Lexar’s Workflow Go is a mobile solution welcome to allow you to unload your memory cards without computerwith a simple smartphone. Being even more demanding, we would have liked, however, like some card-emptying disks, that the process could be done automaticallysans smartphone.
The final price of the whole thing remains to be seen, because, just like the first Workflow, the bill can quickly become steep by adding modules.
