Physically small and sturdy(read: metal) usb3.0 flash drives?

Zoson

Zoson

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Aug 4, 2001
Messages
6,113
I've read a number of articles on the newer usb3.0 flash drive offerings, but they all seem to be rather large physically.

I recently saw a Patriot Swing, which is a usb2.0 drive, and really liked the tiny form factor and all aluminum construction...

Are there any usb3.0 flash drives that are comparably small with a sturdy metal case?
 
Well, other than the corsair survivor series drives, which are admittedly large, you could choose something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0KV04A3616 which is made of aluminum. The kingston HyperX is rubber over metal http://www.cravingtech.com/kingston-hyperx-3-0-flash-drive-review.html and the Adata is titanium coated aluminum http://www.adata-group.com/index.php?action=product_feature&cid=1&piid=97 .Patriot also has the supersonic model in USB3 which is http://patriotmemory.com/products/g...pid=188&prodline=7&group=Supersonic &catid=92
 
I have a Sandisk stick in a metal case that's physically very sturdy. But somehow the connector inside came loose over the years which means it loses connection while being plugged into the host.

So unless you need the size and speed, I would suggest going the microSD route: separate the medium from the reader.

microSD cards are essentially shock-immune and even waterproof. Together with something like this

http://www.delock.de/produkte/grupp...o_SDSLASHmicro_SDHC_91677.html?setLanguage=EN

they are also very portable. I bought several of these and if one craps out, I still have my data.

Edit: Oh yeah, I didn't do benchmarks but reading files from a class 10 microSD goes at around 20MB/s.
 
I'm looking for something to go on my keychain and replace my agin 2gb sandisk cruzer titanium micro.
I was hoping to have my cake, and eat it too... But it looks like there's nothing as small as I would like that is also usb3 and 50+mb read/write.

I've already got a couple of 32gb sdcards, but not every computer has an sdcard reader...
 
I have a tiny metal USB microSD reader on my keychain that came with one of my microSD cards. It's about as tiny as could be, the only easy way to actually get it back out of the USB port is with the string it hangs on. It's got an 8GB card in it now with a persistent Linux Live distro on it, some files I like to have with me and a bit of music.

32GB cards are available now under $60 on sale, and as mentioned above microSD is pretty durable, especially when inside a metal reader like this one. You'd have to do something pretty bad to it to destroy it.
 
The only problem with using a microsd are the transfer rates, which on most class10 cards top out at 20MB/sec or less (and only guarantee 10MB/s). That kind of negates the benefit of USB3 which the OP mentioned. Many of the general USB3 keys will do 2-3x that number, and some of the outrageously priced ones like the Super Talent http://www.supertalent.com/products/stt_usb_detail.php?type=RAIDDrive USB 3.0 can do upwards of 300MB/s, SSD level speeds. If you do the microsd with the adapter you might as well go with the USB2 key the OP liked.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top