USB Flash Memory

[Targarama]

I've been using a 64MB USB dongle for a few years now, and it's been fine. However, I'm interested in getting a 1GB version so I can do quick and dirty saves of my docs while rebuilding a PC or whatever. Any views on the reliability/performance of these extra large capacity USB devices? Crucial.com seem to have about the best prices (or dabs.com).

I'm sure they will come down in price soon ... we'll be up to 10Gig before long. £56 isn't too bad though.

The CD writer software on my laptop is playing up so I can't burn a CD to backup ... software reinstall doesn't work.

[arcturus]

I've been using 1Gb flash for a while now. No problems to report at all.

Mine is a CnMemory Silver Pearl.

[Jay-Aim]

no probs here

Dabs is cheaper than that (or was before Xmas)

[docevi1]

There is muted talk that they are good for one thousand writes.

A mate of mine had a USB2.0 one and would use it as movable storage, working on Word documents, compiling Java code... it didn't last that long unfortunately.

They are great for "down and dirty" stuff as you say, but I'll not be using one unless I have to, and even then it'll be with backups everywhere else!

[JonRB]

I got a 2Gb one from Novatech for £86 ex VAT.

Use it for transport of documents between home and work, and also for storing a small library of electronic reference books.

Seems to work well.

[Jay-Aim]

I have 2 which I use for back up on alternate weeks so even as 1000 writes sounds low, it's still ok

There was an article in PC pro (December issue I believe) (Back page) which basically said that they are so cheap now, they make sense to be used as back up rather than writing to cd. I agree

[twister]

docevi1 said:

There is muted talk that they are good for one thousand writes.

I find that hard to believe. Some flash memory is only rated for 1000 cycles or so, but this tends to only be used for firmware storage in embedded processor systems where writes occur infrequently (if at all) once the product has been shipped. Flash memory designed for data storage is typically rated for at least 10,000 cycles, with 100,000 and even 1,000,000 cycles being the more usual figures quoted.

[docevi1]

We found it hard to believe as well at the time, although this was nigh on 2 years ago - they may be using different technology now.

[Podie]

I use a 20GB laptop HDD in a 2.5 case… connects via USB… very useful.

Cases can be bought from retailers or off ebay (for about £10)… and laptop hard drives rescued from old laptops, retailers or good old ebay...

[GregE240]

Podie said:

I use a 20GB laptop HDD in a 2.5 case… connects via USB… very useful.

...when the PC you connect it to recognises it....

Back on topic, IME I only use these as a medium for transporting documents between systems, or getting files from one to another etc. I've had too many friends lose precious documents with no backup, simply from the mindset "Well, its solid state, its fine". Well, no actually, it isn't.

If you have to back up, do so but to a CD or DVD. Don't rely on USB keys etc.

Greg

[Podie]

GregE240 said:

Podie said: I use a 20GB laptop HDD in a 2.5 case… connects via USB… very useful. ...when the PC you connect it to recognises it.... Greg

Cheeky sod... what do you expect from Win98.. (not even SE!)…

Still… found drivers for it in the end..

[twister]

docevi1 said:

We found it hard to believe as well at the time, although this was nigh on 2 years ago - they may be using different technology now.

2 years... that's an eternity in the memory market The technology has definitely improved in that time, although even back then 1000 cycles would still have been considered a bit low for a data storage device.

[canam-phil]

Interesting stuff.

I was just about to post but though I would ride on this topic.

I had a friend mention she had lost data from one of these when going through security at the airport. When it had been in hold luggage it was OK but returning it was in handbag as it went through scanner. Cant find any info on web so has anyone had probs?

Phil

[bga]

canam-phil said:

Interesting stuff. I was just about to post but though I would ride on this topic. I had a friend mention she had lost data from one of these when going through security at the airport. When it had been in hold luggage it was OK but returning it was in handbag as it went through scanner. Cant find any info on web so has anyone had probs? Phil

I keep about 80MB on a 128MB device all the time. I've not had a problem with airports & data loss so far (it goes through the hand baggage xray).