Very good review. The SuperTalent Fireball thing performs great, I just wish they'd change that cheesy fireball. No offense, but I prefer something more, eh, formal. I'd pick the tiny OCZ drive if it performed better, it is reminds me of the Motorola Razr: Tiny and it is "hip", but it falls rather short on performance.
Since asthetics are rather important on these drives, I wish you included a picture of the drives next to their names in the benchmark...It makes it easier to pick which one then having to go back to the find the page where it was and compare it to another after you see the benchmarks.
I'm kind of scared of those non-flash drives, aren't they prone to vibrate or get damaged when you drop them? What about magnets? Or are they protected from that? 1" 8GB is cool, but it has its cons, which to me, outnumber the pros. What about power consumption? Does that thing chug power like an OC'ed P4? Heat?
I've got to learn more about this U3 thing. Sounds like a very interesting program. Would solve many techs from carrying 15 CDs with diagnostic software, just this one drive with all of them on there. And he could have a few good, recommended anti-virus software programs that he could give to his "client".
Ugh! I cannot believe the Sandisk Cruzer actually got top marks from Tom's when clearly the Crucial Gizmo Overdrive 2gb got the top overall. Look at its average (3rd highest access, highest read, 3rd highest write).. bloody no-brainer. I have the OCZ Rally 2gb and damn I look at its benchmarks there and am dumbfounded.. Damn man its a joke how bad it is over the Gizmo 2gb! Ughhhh! :?
Hope someday we can get 8gb the size of the current 2gb. I can dream..Then again.. 25gb would be nice.. hehe.. Maybe in 10years..
What the gawd damn!!?!!? 8O 8O 8O 64gb Flashdrive the same size as my current OCZ 2gb Rally? WOW! $2799 though but wow.. that has got to be a fake but I guess its not. Wow!
All flash memeory drives are extremely robust. I have accidentally washed a number of different of flash drives in hot water then dried in a clothes dryer (I left them in my pant pocket) a number of times and have absolutely no problems, even cheapo freebie drives. So water resistance is no issue, and ruggedness is only a matter if you want to step, chew, or drive over you flash drive.
I've been waiting to order my 1st usb flash drive. This review got me motivated and I just ordered the Super Talent Fireball 2gb from NewEgg. Despite it's cheezy appearance, I opted for performance and price. Not to mention it has a lifetime warranty. I actually think the flames help it stand out should you drop it on the floor or especially in grass.
"a few impressed us with U3 software pre-installed."
Ok, as a network admin at a University, I have to say, you guys are overlooking a HUGE problem with U3. On machines that are locked down to prevent user software installation, the U3 enabled drive will try to install software EVERY time it's plugged in. What's worse, you can't get rid of it even by formatting the flash drive; it's stored on a ROM area of the drive stored as CDFS, so it auto-runs. Bad, bad bad. U3 even have a software removal tool on their website that doesn't work, yay. There's a way around it, but man. I hate that software. Just be advised if you buy one.
One thing I think is over looked is how to carry the thing. I like to keep it on my key ring but I don't want to have my keys hanging off my drive while I'm using it.
I have Lexar Sportser that I think has the best solution of this but is is a monster in size compaired to some of the new stuff. Also it only comes in 1 GB.
THe solution is to get a credit-card drive, but the 100MS(HOLY CRUD!) access on the PQI is - I would have eviscerated it in the review. Those times are unacceptable for any storage device. That's slower than a floppy drive.
Hmm, I noticed that you guys overlooked a very nice flash drive in the Patriot XPorter XT. I have a 2GB model and it is very, very fast- I see 20-22 MB/sec transfer rates on this stick.
"a few impressed us with U3 software pre-installed."
Ok, as a network admin at a University, I have to say, you guys are overlooking a HUGE problem with U3. On machines that are locked down to prevent user software installation, the U3 enabled drive will try to install software EVERY time it's plugged in. What's worse, you can't get rid of it even by formatting the flash drive; it's stored on a ROM area of the drive stored as CDFS, so it auto-runs. Bad, bad bad. U3 even have a software removal tool on their website that doesn't work, yay. There's a way around it, but man. I hate that software. Just be advised if you buy one.
True -
I work at a commuter farm in a university (support) and we had to unlock restriction on U3. However, after discovering that some people used this security breach (using software from their U3 - lamer) we had to relock everything and all the good old people with a U3 were stuck with a useless stick.
But if we want to be honest with ourselves, even the most secured computer will be very easy to crack even by a lamer when they are all allowed to bring their tools on a disk on key.
I bought a U3 drive because it looked interesting... but you can only run special U3 programs on it, and if you don't like any of the ones on offer, you can't uninstall U3 and revert to a dumb flashdrive. Drives don't support U3, they are U3.
I think I am going to like it, 2GB, with password protection.
SHOCK proof and water resistant, also with 5 yr warranty
something that can be thrown around. and don't have to worry about it getting wet.
I think I am going to like it, 2GB, with password protection.
SHOCK proof and water resistant, also with 5 yr warranty
something that can be thrown around. and don't have to worry about it getting wet.
You should perhaps check the Amazon review on that thing. Seems very fragile and too easy to disassemble. Just not 100% sure if it is the same one though.
"a few impressed us with U3 software pre-installed."
Ok, as a network admin at a University, I have to say, you guys are overlooking a HUGE problem with U3. On machines that are locked down to prevent user software installation, the U3 enabled drive will try to install software EVERY time it's plugged in. What's worse, you can't get rid of it even by formatting the flash drive; it's stored on a ROM area of the drive stored as CDFS, so it auto-runs. Bad, bad bad. U3 even have a software removal tool on their website that doesn't work, yay. There's a way around it, but man. I hate that software. Just be advised if you buy one.
you should looking for WinXPE or miniPE XT.It's work fine with locked down machine you can use many program on it, just in case you don't know it.
Hmm
I just buy this one, it's very small and nice(for me...)
the dealer in here(Thailand) test it and here is the detail
hehe.. Maybe in 10years..
I'm in Thailand.