Inside the plastic casing is a small printed circuit board, which has some power circuitry and a small number of surface-mounted integrated circuits (ICs).[citation needed] Typically, one of these ICs provides an interface between the USB connector and the onboard memory, while the other is the flash memory. Drives typically use the USB mass storage device class to communicate with the host.[28]
“The Samsung BAR is incredibly small and easily portable, measuring just under 2-inches long,” our tester said. He added, “It's also extremely durable: waterproof, shockproof, as well as x-rays and magnets [proof].” The included key ring adds to its portability, according to our reviewer. On the flip side, he called the transfer speeds “decent but mostly unremarkable.” Our tester concluded, “Most of the BAR's problems are due to Samsung releasing a newer, cheaper model, the BAR Plus.”
USB flash drives use the USB mass storage device class standard, supported natively by modern operating systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS and other Unix-like systems, as well as many BIOS boot ROMs. USB drives with USB 2.0 support can store more data and transfer faster than much larger optical disc drives like CD-RW or DVD-RW drives and can be read by many other systems such as the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, DVD players, automobile entertainment systems, and in a number of handheld devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, though the electronically similar SD card is better suited for those devices.
Many types of USB drive, sometimes referred to as a thumb drive, also have handy features like a key chain ring or a small LED flashlight. Some can even transmit your data wirelessly for the ultimate in digital convenience. And as with any fun accessory, there are plenty of novelty versions of flash drives designed to show your personality, display your sense of humor, or broadcast your team loyalty.
