32-64GB USB 2.0 Flash Roundup 2010 Storage   Page 1

Reviewer: RWL Staff Article Publish Date: 6/16/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       USB3.0 may have been around for quite a few months but USB2.0 still has a long life left in it, not only because 99% of the PC systems out there only feature USB2.0 but also because USB3.0 devices tend to be slightly more expensive and hard to find, at least for now. So just like a year ago we have managed to gather the bestselling 32 to 64GB USB2.0/eSATA flash drives and placed them in the pit to see which ones are the best. I wish i could say we ended up finding a single winner but with so many competitors and so many different strong cards other than just speed this was to be expected. Please note that both in the introduction and conclusion pictures 2 flash drives are not present. This is because those two arrived just moments prior to releasing this roundup and so it was impossible for us to include them in the pictures. So before we get into specifics for each drive let’s take a fast look at the companies in this roundup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT OCZ

 

 

 

 

     Founded in 2002, San Jose, California-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a dominant player in the manufacturing and distribution of solid state drives (SSDs), a disruptive, game-changing technology that is replacing traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, run cooler, and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise class power management products as well leading edge computer gaming solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT KINGSTON

 

 

 

 

    Kingston Technology Company, Inc. is the world’s independent memory leader. Founded in 1987 with a single product offering, Kingston® now offers more than 2,000 memory products that support nearly every device that uses memory, from computers, servers and printers to MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. In 2009, the company's sales reached $4.1 billion. With global headquarters in Fountain Valley, California, Kingston employs more than 4,000 people worldwide. Regarded as one of the “Best Companies to Work for in America” by Fortune magazine, Kingston’s tenets of respect, loyalty, flexibility and integrity create an exemplary corporate culture. Kingston believes that investing in its people is essential, and each employee is a vital part of Kingston’s success. Kingston serves an international network of distributors, resellers, retailers and OEM customers on six continents. The company also provides contract manufacturing and supply chain management services for semiconductor manufacturers and system OEMs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT CORSAIR

 

 

 

 

    Corsair has been a leader in the design and manufacture of high-speed modules since 1994. Our focus has always been on supporting the special demands of mission-critical servers and high-end workstations, as well as the performance demands of extreme gamers. While maintaining this core focus, in recent years, we've also brought our expertise, technology leadership and legendary quality and reliability to memory and other technology products for the more mainstream consumer. As a pioneer in high-speed module design, Corsair is a trusted supplier to many computer manufacturers. In high-density memory solutions, Corsair has always been one of the first suppliers to achieve advanced qualifications on Intel, Tyan and SuperMicro server platforms. We also work closely with other major server platform manufacturers to release product that is 100% compatible with their latest server products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT WALTON CHAINTECH

 

 

 

 

    The Chaintech Computer Corporation was founded in November of 1986 and introduced its  own motherboards and video cards into the computer hardware market. Before long, Chaintech earned a reputation for producing state-of-the-art motherboards, boasting unsurpassed performance, extreme reliability, and aesthetical design. Its video cards were also praised by critics and consumers alike, earning recommendations and awards throughout the international community. With an established, technologically sound foundation, Chaintech was now primed to focus on product diversification. In 2005, a partnership was formed between Chaintech and Walton Advanced Engineering in order to introduce new products into the memory modules markets. Walton Advanced Engineering, known for their integrated circuits (IC) testing and packaging, provided valuable expertise and insight in designing, manufacturing, and packaging the newly introduced products. The partnership was further solidified by Chaintech’s membership into the Passive System Alliance (PSA), whereby a total of twenty companies, five of which are publicly traded, would ultimately mutually collaborate and share resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT VERBATIM

 

 

 

 

    Since 1969, development in data storage technology has been led by Verbatim - ranging from Floppy Disks and Magneto-Optical storage to the latest CD and DVD formats, USB drives and Flash Memory cards. As part of the Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Group (MCC) Verbatim benefits from outstanding research and development enabling countless innovations shaping today's storage media market. Verbatim has been awarded numerous international comparative product reviews and is the market leader for Optical media in Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT PATRIOT

 

 

 

 

    Established in 1985, Patriot Memory builds a full range of memory module and flash memory products, offering a perfect blend of quality and value. Patriot products include Extreme Performance (EP), Signature Lines (SL) and Flash Memory solutions (FM). Patriot has sales offices located throughout the U.S. and Asia.  Patriot sells through the distribution channels throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT SUPER TALENT

 

 

 

 

    Super Talent Technology Corporation, headquartered in San Jose, California, designs and manufactures a full range of DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 memory modules and Flash based storage solutions for Enterprise Servers, Workstations, Personal Computers and Consumer Electronics. An ISO 9001 certified company, Super Talent utilizes its state-of-the art factory and leading-edge components to produce award winning products with exceptional performance and outstanding reliability. Super Talent is an active member of JEDEC, ONFI and USB-IF standards bodies, and holds over 200 patents in Flash and DRAM technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT PNY

 

 

 

 

    Established in 1985, PNY Technologies, Inc. delivers a full spectrum of high-quality products for everything in and around the computer. PNY is a leading manufacturer and supplier of computer graphics accelerator cards for consumers and professional graphics boards for professionals, memory upgrade modules, Flash Media and Flash peripherals. PNY products are used by a number of Fortune 500 OEM customers for applications that range from high-end computing and Internet/telecommunications infrastructure equipment to desktop, notebook and network servers. The company's retail product line includes products used in a growing number of consumer electronics devices, such as personal computers, digital cameras, and mobile devices. PNY products are now available at major retail outlets, mail order outlets, online retailers, value-added resellers and distribution channels throughout the U.S, Europe and Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT TWINMOS

 

 

 

 

    ‘Value Built on Professionalism’ is TwinMOS Technologies, founded in 1998, motto. TwinMOS believes that through professionalism we develop a deep understanding of the markets we operate in, raise its competitiveness, and create win-win situations for both our customers and TwinMOS. TwinMOS distributes its products either under its own brand name (TwinMOS) or through Original Design Manufacturing / Original Equipment Manufacturing (ODM/OEM) agreements. TwinMOS solid Research & Development team and our outstanding manufacturing capabilities guarantee high customer satisfaction.