Flash Drive - USB Drive

[Boxxcar]

I've been considering purchasing a 512 or 256 USB flash drive, but even after reading reviews, I'm still not sure which is the best deal. What should I specifically look for when getting one of these drives? One that locks, security, extra features?

 

[TDiddy]

i got one that looks like a pen at staples

 

[Jeff7]

Make sure it's thin. I got one of these awhile ago. It's too thick - in a standard motherboard, the USB ports are right next to the PS/2, parallel, and serial connectors. This particular USB drive is so fat that you can't plug it in there if there are any other wires plugged in around it. It appears that Apacer has learned from this mistake - all their new USB drives are very slim.

That's about the only thing I can think to say. Other than that, it's little design flaws. Verbatim for example has a nice, compact thumbdrive - however, the long neckband thing that attaches to the drive attaches to the cap. So the drive itself can fall off, leaving you with a useless cap dangling from your neck. Apacer's drives attach on the proper side, so the thing stays attached to the cord.

I've never really used the security features of any of them, so I can't comment on that.

Oh yeah, while most of the things on the market are now USB 2.0, make sure that your thumbdrive is USB 2.0 compatible. Filling up 256MB at USB 1.1 speeds takes a LONG time. Note though, that you'll never get true USB 2.0 speeds, as the flash technology itself isn't fast enough, but it is still a good bit faster than USB 1.1.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Definately pick up one of the USB 2.0 flash drives. I've got a 128mb USB1.1, and while it works fine for transferring files (documents, MP3, drawings, etc.), it would be nice to have a USB 2.0 model for the higher transfer speeds.

Jeff7's responses are all worth checking into as well. Alot of the newer drives seem to build on the mistakes of the early models and are generally smaller in nature.

 

[RaymondY]

I just got a Sandisk Mini Cruzer 256mb (USB2.0) thumb drive and it is great!!! Excellent construction and mad fast, much faster than my old Lexar 120mb Jumpdrive.

 

[Christobevii3]

I got a sandisk cruzer mini too 256MB and I use it for my programming class and is fast enough to compile onto it and everything. Love it.

 

[theinsen1]

for simple transfer of files buy a 256mb
for more intensive buy 512mb
bye

 

[Horsepower]

I've had a Sony 48 meg that I paid BANK for ($85) a long time ago, and a 128 meg Bonzai unit that I bought from my local computer guy. They both work flawlessly on my P4's, Tablet, and any computer I go to transfer stuff to (or from). <fwiw>

 

[pdqcarrera]

I use my rather slow but reliable Conquest 64mb flash drive alot and am now going to go buy a SanDisk 512MB Cruzer Titanium USB Flash Drive because I've now got a need for it. Costco has 'em for $62 and a few places have them even cheaper on the web. According to reports these are faster than most (15MB/sec read and 13MB/sec write speeds), which is of course a big help ... after all, time is money!!
Cheers!