Flash drive recommendations
 

Hey gang,

I'm in the market for a 32GB flash drive for safekeeping of PC application installers, videos and photos on the go as well as some Word/Notepad files.

Hopefully someone can make some recommendations. Also, please let me know if I should go for USB 3/3.1 or it doesn't matter even if I choose USB 2.

Thanks

Those things are pretty much a commodity these days, especially with such small capacity. Does your computer have USB 3 ports? If yes and you are storing a lot of media it's probably worth going for the USB 3 drive.

I've been using a 128GB USB 3 drive as my photo backup when I am on the road and it's worked out very well. Certainly better than a bigger hard drive.

Generally SanDisk has a very good reputation. I'd probably read reviews to see if whatever one I am planning to buy has any documented issues. When it comes to this sort of thing I usually start with Newegg.com or Amazon.

Yes, my computer has a USB 3 drive. No I'm still debating on whether to get a 16 or 32GB now :p What I usually do is start with the 16GB base price and if the 32GB amounts to 5 dollars or less than the 16, then the 32 it is.

I'm interested in the SanDisks as well and been looking around but the negative reviews like slow benchmark speed are off putting. And I was looking at the CZ80 but i'm not sure if its worth paying 24 bucks for a 32GB USB 3 flash drive.

Will purchase on amazon.

theres no reason not to get USB 3.0 now. speed difference is HUGE.

get a large capacity one. price difference is marginal.

i love the Transcend Jetflash 710.... tiny, fits on keychain. importantly - weather resistance... dust shock splash proof. goes with me everywhere. reliable when needed. copies files in a jiffy

Definitely get 3.0. Earlier is downright pokey. Not worth saving $7.

Second. Get a big, fast one to provide some future proofing.

Also realize that most of the flash drives' storage chips are made by the same couple of companies: people like Samsung, LG, etc. Different brands are mainly just different packaging for the same chips.

same thing with platter drives

lcd screens

etc

I have SanDisk 128 GB and it's never given me an issue before. If they're a good price, great.

At 32 GB, I can't imagine spending a lot of money, even with 3.0. Getting 3.1 may be pushing it a bit unless you have a MacBook (12 inch) and/or a USB Type-C smartphone and want to transfer between the 2 via USB.

This is just $10 from Amazon:

Size matters
Go Big or go home

I have regretted that I did not by drives (floppy, HHD SSD usb etc) in a bigger size.

Get the biggest Intl branded 3.0+ one within your budget. With the resolutions now photo and video can take up quite a bit of Gb's.

Also, if you're putting any sensitive information (personal data, work stuff, etc.) on the drive, then look for one with built in hardware encryption. I have an encrypted Sandisk flash drive.

Also, would suggest going with USB 3, unless you have a computer at home or work that you're using that's only compatible with USB 2 (hardware limitation), as it's not backward compatible.

And bigger is better.

These things are dirt cheap now.

I would never bother with only 16. Even 32 is small, but it you are not putting much on it, then fine. You could even get two and rotate backups if you want.

There really are not bad choices.

Thanks for the replies. Should I go for 3.0 or 3.1?

And any recommendations for Sandisk? I prefer a stick.

Thanks again.

Until 3.1 becomes more prevalent, I'd stick with 3. Otherwise, you're gonna need a converter every time you use it (unless the computer happens to have 3.1, which very few have)

Are you sure about lack of backward compatibility? Everything else I have found on the web indicates that USB 3 IS backwards compatible with USB 2.