Micro Center USB Flash -- Speed? Reviews?

[jeffspam]

Hey all -- I need to upgrade the USB sticks I'm carrying with me these days. I don't need anything huge (4/8GB), and nothing too expensive, but I'm sick of slooooow transfers.

What can I find on the shelves at Micro Center that will fit the bill? Would I be better off with something like a class 6 SDHC microsd card w/ usb adapter?

 

[myocardia]

You need to buy a "Vista Readyboost" USB drive. Readyboost was a dumb idea by Microsoft, but the Readyboost drives are a lot faster. Of course, you do realize that all flash is slow compared to any hard drive, right?

 

[elconejito]

depends on what you mean by "nothing too expensive". The flash drive manufacturers usually sell the faster drives at a premium, but if you only need 4-8GB those drives are almost universally cheap anyway.

The generic microcenter labeled flash drives are very cheap, but very slow (hey they're generic!). I'd be willing to bet you could find a better price online for those "high-speed" flash drives although i haven't shopped for them in quite a while.

 

[jeffspam]

Myo: Traditionally, yeah, flash is slower than a HDD. But then again, a lot of people are liking their SSDs. Of course, USB flash is a different class of product, and yes, it'll be a whole lot slower than an HD. I did take a look at some readyboost drives, but I'm getting mixed reviews.

Elcon: I'm hoping for nothing over $20 for an 8GB stick. I've found the Patriot Xporter XP Boost (who names these things?) at Newegg for $20 after MIR... and though I don't like MIRs, reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive in regards to speed. I would have liked to find something locally (e.g. Micro Center), but I suppose I'll cross my fingers and see how fast NE's free shipping is these days. I do wonder who makes the flash drives for MC.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[taltamir]

Myo: Traditionally, yeah, flash is slower than a HDD. But then again, a lot of people are liking their SSDs

that is because the intel has a TEN WAY super raid 0 + (raid 0 plus special load balancing) built into it. the individual chips are slow as hell.

you want it fast, get an SLC flash with good rating. expect to pay MUCH MORE than 20$

http://www.everythingusb.com/h...e/USB_Flash_Drives.htm

those drives actually went UP in price, and are limited to 4GB, i bought one back in the day for half what it costs today. This is because all the new drives are MLC and are slow slow slow.
but then again, you can get a 32GB drive (what i now use) for 90$ (I paid 130$), good deal.

 

[jeffspam]

that is because the intel has a TEN WAY super raid 0 + (raid 0 plus special load balancing) built into it. the individual chips are slow as hell.

I didn't realize that's how they were getting that kind of speed out of those drives, but I suppose that makes sense. Similar, I suppose, are the dual channel USB sticks.