If you're not already the proud and happy owner of a USB flash memory drive then it's about time you got one! These little devices are incredibly useful, portable and very easy-to-use. Whether you need to transfer files between computers or you're just looking for a small and highly portable backup device these little gadgets are perfect!
These small drives go by several different names including USB sticks, USB drive, USB flash drive, flash stick, thumb drive and jump drive. Most of these names are not very accurate, however, chances are good that if you hear somebody talking about any one of these things, they're talking about the same type of USB flash memory drive that we've all come to know and love - at least if you already own one you'll feel this way.
How big are they?
The reason they are also called thumb drives is that most of them are about the size of your thumb, if not smaller. As a result, you can fit these in your laptop case, in a pocket, or even put them on a lanyard around your neck - no more lugging around dozens of CDs or DVDs on a business trip or to college for example.
How much data can they store?
This depends on the USB flash drive that you choose. Up until a few months ago, the largest size was a 2GB drive and that seemed massive at the time. However, several brands now also offer a 4GB option now, and 8GB flash drives are just starting to appear on the market. There are also a few very small portable external hard drives that use flash memory as well so these are another potential option for the prospective flash drive owner.
How much do they cost?
Depending on the size of the USB flash drive that you buy and whether or not they are on sale, they can be anywhere from $10 to $120. You can usually find a good deal on 1GB flash drives in most online stores.
USB flash memory is not the best option if you are looking for a long term backup of a large amount files due to the basic size constraints i.e. backing up a 300GB hard drive to a set of USB flash drives would be insanely expensive. However, if you are looking to transfer files from one computer to another or just need a copy of important work or personal data that doesn't stretch into hundreds of gigabytes then a USB flash drive is readymade for this kind of work.
Another great thing about these drives is that because they're USB based they work on both Macs and PCs without any problems. Do yourself a massive favor and invest in a USB flash drive today - you'll never regret your decision.
By: Niall Roche