August 27, 2004

Curious, George: USB Flash Drives Any suggestions about fast, cheap, reliable keychain gizmos on the 256Mb range?

I've looked at the Lexan ones, and used briefly the pricey DataVault Sony ones, but need some real-world, monkey user comments... ease of use, brand-based dependability, no-hassle driver installation? USB1 / USB2? *intended to be used in WinXp/2K and maybe MacOS9/X*

posted by Flagpole 20 years ago
  • I've got a PNY stick (only 64MB), and I enjoy it. Don't get a whole lot of use out of it lately, as my outdated, soon-to-be-a-paperweight POS WinME system has somehow screwed up the hardware recognition, but it was reasonably priced and works fine.
  • I've used Lexar, and it's been a sinch to use on practically all platforms (except 98, natch).
  • take a look at: http://www.dealram.com
  • A few years ago I got the DiskOnKey 64MB (USB 1.0) as a gift. It's now called "classic" (ouch) and they make a USB 2.0 version. It doesn't need drivers for your versions of mac or windows, and it worked like a champ.
  • Ars Technica has a relatively recent roundup of usb2 flash drives. I have a SanDisk Cruzer Mini, which works fine except for some problems on one of my Linux machines (and I think that's has more to do with the USB2 controller than the memory stick). I didn't need to install any drivers in XP.
  • I got the one they sell at Sams Club/Walmart in February and have used it heavily with no complaints. Never had to install drivers, except on some older (Win98) systems and even then in was painless. It's been on my keychain the whole time, and thus the paint has rubbed off and I can't recall the brand name. (JumpDrive, perhaps?) It was $50 for the 256MB USB1. My 2 cents is that USB2 isn't that big a deal for such small storage devices.
  • I run tech support for a College Dorm, and some of those pc's are dirtier than thai hookers. So with having to use multiple programs a night it really comes in handy. A few things I have come to recognize in a good USB key: 1. Make sure if you are using it on a key chain that the ring goes through the actual USB drive part, not the case. I lost one that way. 2. Do not get a Dell or a Lexmark (Dell = Lexmark, just dell branded). The cover will fall off real fast, mine did within a month. 3.Get one that looks solid, the Dell I had split in two within 4 months and the Memory part fell out. I have a USB 2.0 Fujifilm 128MB and I Love it, It's a clip on, not a key chain one though.
  • I have this. It's rubber enough to bounce and if you don't lose the cap it's also waterproof. You can search newegg for 'em, they come in 128 and 256MB sizes too. The loopy dohickey is set in enough that it's hard to get the keyring on to (but then, also hard to break it off too). I also have a Kingston and an Apacer - can't say I can tell the difference, though the Apacer definitely has the crappiest case of them all. If you want more of a brand-name product review, Ars Technica did a review of several USB 2.0 flash drives recently. It's not even horribly technical, like Ars usually is. :-)
  • I must be cursed. I had one a year ago and caried it in my bag for two months and it died on me.
  • it's worth noting that flash has a limited amount of read/write cycles.. I hardly ever write to mine so they last a long time but some of my coworkers (2 of mine were work provided, for the reasons genial has one) killed theirs in a matter of months. they're starting to make ones w/ real hard drives in 'em now, which should be more reliable.. something like this (though I could have sworn I saw another over there that was smaller and $100 cheaper too..)
  • The little woman bought me one of these for my birthday last year (the 128MB version), and I love it. I had been thinking about getting a memory stick, but did not want to be hassled with carrying it in my pocket (I'm very peticular about pocket arrangement... keys are always in the right front pocket, wallet is in the right rear, and change goes in the front left). This watch was a perfect compromise, since I would have it wherever I was. It's from a company called Laks.com, but I know of several people who have gotten it from other places than Thinkgeek -- after they had seen me with mine, of course.
  • Because I'm too lazy to start my own CG post... My Flash Drive seems to be knackered - the PC is seeing it only as an 'external drive', not by its usual name, and it's telling me the disc needs formatting. I wonder, anyone know of any good ways to recover at least some of the data on there? FANKS!