USB flash drives are portable and easy-to-use data storage devices. They're compatible with desktop computers and laptop computers as well as a broad range of game consoles and media devices. Use them to transfer data between systems, share files with friends and colleagues or create backups of critical information. Staples offers a complete selection of high-capacity thumb drives, including popular brands such as Lexar, PNY, Samsung, SanDisk and Verbatim.
Like all flash memory devices, flash drives can sustain only a limited number of write and erase cycles before the drive fails.[71][unreliable source?][72] This should be a consideration when using a flash drive to run application software or an operating system. To address this, as well as space limitations, some developers have produced special versions of operating systems (such as Linux in Live USB)[73] or commonplace applications (such as Mozilla Firefox) designed to run from flash drives. These are typically optimized for size and configured to place temporary or intermediate files in the computer's main RAM rather than store them temporarily on the flash drive.
M-Systems, an Israeli company, were granted a US patent on November 14, 2000, titled "Architecture for a [USB]-based Flash Disk", and crediting the invention to Amir Ban, Dov Moran and Oron Ogdan, all M-Systems employees at the time. The patent application was filed by M-Systems in April 1999.[6][1][7] Later in 1999, IBM filed an invention disclosure by one of its employees.[1] Flash drives were sold initially by Trek 2000 International, a company in Singapore, which began selling in early 2000. IBM became the first to sell USB flash drives in the United States in 2000.[1] The initial storage capacity of a flash drive was 8 MB.[7] Another version of the flash drive, described as a pen drive, was also developed. Pua Khein-Seng from Malaysia has been credited with this invention.[8] Patent disputes have arisen over the years, with competing companies including Singaporean company Trek Technology and Chinese company Netac Technology, attempting to enforce their patents.[9] Trek won a suit in Singapore,[10][11] but has lost battles in other countries.[12] Netac Technology has brought lawsuits against PNY Technologies,[13] Lenovo,[14] aigo,[15] Sony,[16][17][18] and Taiwan's Acer and Tai Guen Enterprise Co.[18]
Quickly transfer files to and from your laptop or desktop using this SanDisk Ultra SDCZ48-064G-A46 USB 3.0 flash drive that features a read speed of up to 80MB/sec. The 64GB capacity offers ample storage space. (Ten times faster than USB 2.0 drives. Write speeds up to 10 times faster than Cruzer USB 2.0 drive.)* *USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device.
Some organizations forbid the use of flash drives, and some computers are configured to disable the mounting of USB mass storage devices by users other than administrators; others use third-party software to control USB usage. The use of software allows the administrator to not only provide a USB lock but also control the use of CD-RW, SD cards and other memory devices. This enables companies with policies forbidding the use of USB flash drives in the workplace to enforce these policies. In a lower-tech security solution, some organizations disconnect USB ports inside the computer or fill the USB sockets with epoxy.
Some organizations forbid the use of flash drives, and some computers are configured to disable the mounting of USB mass storage devices by users other than administrators; others use third-party software to control USB usage. The use of software allows the administrator to not only provide a USB lock but also control the use of CD-RW, SD cards and other memory devices. This enables companies with policies forbidding the use of USB flash drives in the workplace to enforce these policies. In a lower-tech security solution, some organizations disconnect USB ports inside the computer or fill the USB sockets with epoxy.
You can get USB 3.0 speed in a compact and durable metal USB drive from Kingston for under $10. It sports a capless design with a sturdy keyring, perfect for travel or as a part of your everyday carry. The design can even be customized to add your logo or company name. Read speeds top 100 Mb/s, while write speeds are on the slow end. With a five-year warranty, a great design, and a value price, this small drive makes a perfect addition to your keyring.
Features: 100% New&High Quality Storage Capacity: 32GB Support USB version 3.0 and 3.1 Easy plug and play installation Interface: USB 3.0; Capacity: 32GB Due to the inner system and procedure data will occupy some space and the real capacity will reduce lightly Stylish lightweight; portable,new concept modeling,classic fashion,compact Brisk High Speed; plug and play, in line with USB 3.0 specification, data transfer speed. Compatible with Windows 7/Windows 8, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Hi-Speed USB 3.0 port required for high speed transfer Support solution for Linux kernel version 2.4 or later version Driveless for OS 9X or up Durable solid-state storage No external power is required 4.5V ~ 5.5V from USB port The data read speed: 20MB-30MB/S(USB 3.0) The data write speed: 10MB-15MB/S(USB.
The U3 company works with drive makers (parent company SanDisk as well as others) to deliver custom versions of applications designed for Microsoft Windows from a special flash drive; U3-compatible devices are designed to autoload a menu when plugged into a computer running Windows. Applications must be modified for the U3 platform not to leave any data on the host machine. U3 also provides a software framework for independent software vendors interested in their platform.
Anyone who has accidentally left their flash drive in their pants pockets through a laundry cycle will appreciate the durability of this Samsung drive. Its durable metal casing is waterproof, shockproof, magnetproof, and resistant to high temperatures. The drive is housed inside the metal casing, so it won’t break off (and the keyring is made with the same quality casing, again helping your drive live longer). Samsung believes in this drive enough to provide a five-year warranty should anything happen. Durability isn’t its only perk, either. USB 3.0 and NAND technology gives this drive data transfer respectable read speeds of up to 130 MB/s and write speeds over 100 MB/s. It is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0, but expect a drop in transfer speeds.
Digital audio files can be transported from one computer to another like any other file, and played on a compatible media player (with caveats for DRM-locked files). In addition, many home Hi-Fi and car stereo head units are now equipped with a USB port. This allows a USB flash drive containing media files in a variety of formats to be played directly on devices which support the format. Some LCD monitors for consumer HDTV viewing have a dedicated USB port through which music and video files can also be played without use of a personal computer.
"Helps transfer data without bulky external drives....Compared to the Ultra Flash Drives I purchased (which are designed for faster downloads), this Flash Drive took just a little bit longer for downloading a large quantity of items, but it really was not that much of a time difference, so I am extremely satisfied with the speed and abilities of the Cruzer"