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[] ] AFFORDABLE USB 3.0 FLASH DRIVESTRANSCEND JETFLASH 760
$20
http://www.transcend-info.com
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacity: 16 , 32, 64, 128GB
Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions: 67 x 21 x 9mmVERBATIM V3
$15
http://www.verbatim.com
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacity: 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256GB
Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions: 57 x 19 x 11mmSANDISK ULTRA
$15
http://www.sandisk.com.au
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacity: 16 , 32, 64, 128, 256GB
Slide-out mechanism
Dimensions: 57 x 21 x 11mm
Transcend JetFlash 760
WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY.ONE OF THE earlier higher speed USB 3.0 spec
flash drives, the Transcend JetFlash 760 has
been around for a couple of years. The black
plastic clad drive is not exactly slimline at 67 x
21 x 9mm (and does impact nearby USB
ports), but is a reasonably light 12 grams. It
uses a push button slide out mechanism,
which is available in a range of colours. The
drive has a lanyard hole, but no water or dust
proofings.
The JetFlash 760 is available in 16GB, 32GB,
64GB and 128GB capacities. Transcend rate
the drive for 80MB/s reads and 25MB/s writes,
and in real world testing, it comes close.
Using a 32GB model, we managed 78MB/s
and 22MB/s, reading and writing.
Available for the 760 is Transcend Elite,
which can encrypt the drive, and create
automatic syncing and backups.
The JetFlash 760 is tricky to buy for under
$20, so isn’t exactly the most affordable, but
does offer reasonable performance and
features.Verbatim V3
PART OF THE STORE ‘N’ GO FAMILY.VERBATIM HAS A large range of USB flash
drives, but the V3 is one of the most affordable
and common. It can be picked up from
countless computer stores for around $15,
or retailers such as Kmart for a little more.
The USB 3.0 spec drive comes in a huge range
of capacities — 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256GB.
Clad in plain black plastic, the V3 uses a push
and slide out section (in a few different
colours) to protect the end of the drive.
While feeling robust, the V3 does not offer any
sort of waterproof or dustproof rating.
Verbatim don’t give a speed rating, but in
our testing the 32GB drive managed an OK
but not outstanding 67MB/s read and 19MB/s
writing. Interestingly, Verbatim offer a lifetime
warranty on the V3 and has password
protection software available.
The drive itself is quite large, weighing 16.1g,
and measuring it at 57mm long, 19mm wide
and 11mm thick, which is enough to slightly
obstruct some adjacent ports.SanDisk Ultra
AVAILABLE IN A HUGE RANGE OF CAPACITIES.
AT JUST $15 for 32GB, the SanDisk Ultra is
on the very affordable side, costing less than
50 cents per GB. The drives uses USB 3.0
(but is backwards compatible with USB 2.0),
and promises transfer speeds up to 100MB/s.
Impressively, it’s available in 16GB, 32GB,
64GB, 128GB and even a monster 256GB
capacity. The drive is clad in a fairly tough
plastic shell with a keyring attachment point,
but is not water and dust proof. The Ultra uses
a push to slide out mechanism to protect the
drive when not in use, but it does not actually
cover the end of the USB port. It’s also
somewhat frustrating to push into tight spaces,
as it’s easy to release the catch by accident.
We tested the 32GB Ultra, which managed
reasonable speeds of 85MB/s reading and
47MB/s writing. The drive measures in at
57 x 21 x 11mm and weighs 6.8 grams.
For total peace of mind, SanDisk backs the
Ultra with a nice long 5-year warranty.
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