External Drive vs Memory Stick

[jdoggg12]

As I was looking over the Daily Deals on Amazon I saw this 128GB USB stick for $27 and this 128GB External SSD for $53.99. What benefit does the SSD drive offer over the USB stick? I'm guessing it has something to do with transfer speeds or data security/recoverability? Or are we getting to a point where USB sticks are so potent/dense that they can now replace external hard drives for frequent mobile transfer/storage of large amounts of data?

TIA

 

[Ken g6]

I'm guessing it has something to do with transfer speeds or data security/recoverability?

Mainly transfer speeds, I think. The SSD might be more durable for more writes.

Also, I have the USB stick there, and it gets pretty hot when plugged in, just FYI.

 

[jdoggg12]

Thanks for the feedback. I did notice that many reviwers commented on the heat.

I'm actually not looking to get either; last week I picked up this USB stick to take movies, work files, and pictures with me wherever I go. Today, when I ran across the ads I mentioned in OP, it made me start to wonder about it and the direction things are going such as, what major advantages the SSD offers over the USB to warrant the size/price difference?

I think you're right though, it's probably more about read/write cycle life expectancy. That's not something I ever really thought about until recently when I had a HDD start failing on me(random bad sectors). It's the first Hard Drive that's ever had an issue for me.

 

[Burpo]

You can get a low power Sandisk 128GB SSD for $39.99 (with Promo code ESCKBKX25).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...5-Index-_-InternalSSDs-_-0D9-0006-00089-S1A6B

And drop it in this case for $9, but the Transcend is a good deal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORICO-2599U...238493?hash=item566bb5691d:g:GpsAAOSwQItUET7d

 

[jdoggg12]

You can get a low power Sandisk 128GB SSD for $39.99 (with Promo code ESCKBKX25).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...5-Index-_-InternalSSDs-_-0D9-0006-00089-S1A6B

And drop it in this case for $9, but the Transcend is a good deal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORICO-2599U...238493?hash=item566bb5691d:g:GpsAAOSwQItUET7d

That's a great suggestion, but if you were to explain to someone why you would do that instead of using the 128GB USB 3.0 drive, what would your reasoning/explanation be?

 

[Ken g6]

The (small) USB drive is for storing stuff. I put my backups on there every week, and carry it around on my keychain so I (should) never lose my data.

The SSD is for constant use. You could put your whole OS on there and boot from it.

 

[Gunbuster]

The SSD will be fast, the USB stick not so much. Would only use the USB stick for backup or moving files sneakernet style if no network was an option.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

The SSD will be at least 5-10x as fast.