Which USB flash drive?

SparkyG

I would like to buy a 16GB USB flash drive but I am a bit confused by the vast difference in price for seemingly similar items.

eg. on this Amazon page there are 2 Kingston Data Traveler 16GB drives, one is a 100, the other 400, and i can't tell the difference between them
http://www.amazon.co.uk/16-gb-usb-drive-Electronics-Photo/s/qid=1223649598/ref=sr_pg_1?ie=UTF8&rs=560798&keywords=16%20gb%20usb%20drive&rh=n%3A560798%2Ck%3A16%20gb%20usb%20drive&page=1

I want one solely to back up photos stored on my PC.

All help and explanations welcome , thanks:A

nickmack

SparkyG wrote: »

I want one solely to back up photos stored on my PC.

The DT400 has MigoSync software which lets you synchronize your files, email and internet browser settings. The DT100 is just the basic USB drive. If you just need it for backing up photos then I'd choose the cheaper one.

superscaper

I personally wouldn't use a flash drive for backup purposes. Certainly not as only means of backup. (It's not even economical besides my technical opinion). They're good for transferring data and carrying your data with you and maybe as an additional backup to your other backups. But I wouldn't say it should be used specifically for backing up.

SparkyG

superscaper wrote: »

I personally wouldn't use a flash drive for backup purposes. Certainly not as only means of backup. (It's not even economical besides my technical opinion).

What would you use? I am a home PC user (not too technical!) who wants to back up personal pictures of family etc. which are stored on my pc. I do print out the best ones for albums, but like to keep a record of them all. I organise and view them with Picasa.

Thanks

superscaper

SparkyG wrote: »

What would you use? I am a home PC user (not too technical!) who wants to back up personal pictures of family etc. which are stored on my pc. I do print out the best ones for albums, but like to keep a record of them all. I organise and view them with Picasa.

Thanks

Well I suggest a general overview on backing up, there's this sticky thread here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=597170

Take what the poster says with a pinch of salt if you like, .

I'd say with photos then you want to look at backing up onto the likes of CDs/DVDs which are dirt cheap so you can make many copies. For convenience I'd look at an external hard drive secondly, which is also far more economical than flash drives in terms of memory capacity per £. I think flash drives are great in the areas I mentioned and probably worth getting anyway. (I have a personal preference for Corsair brand).

cosmicveg

I wouldn't recommend using a flash drive as a backup method.

There are varying degrees of quality of chips but even the most expensive chips still have a limited lifetime. I suppose it is ok if you write to it once and never touch it again but you are much safer using cd or dvd as a backup medium. Keep one copy yourself and keep a copy at a relatives in case of house fire.

Flash drives are incredibly useful tools but not reliable enough for precious photos.

I would always buy the cheaper flash drives as they are easier replaced when they die.

superscaper

cosmicveg wrote: »

There are varying degrees of quality of chips but even the most expensive chips still have a limited lifetime. I suppose it is ok if you write to it once and never touch it again

Although even then the charge isn't permanent, it leaks over time. In present silicon cells that may be years on average but still it isn't as "permanent" as people think. With a hard drive and optical discs you can essentially leave them in a state which is basically just a physical state of being, with flash the information is stored as actual electrical charges. Some research I did involved making flash devices so I've seen to a certain extent what they are and are not useful for and what their principle weaknesses are.

fishingdobbie

SparkyG wrote: »

I would like to buy a 16GB USB flash drive but I am a bit confused by the vast difference in price for seemingly similar items.

eg. on this Amazon page there are 2 Kingston Data Traveler 16GB drives, one is a 100, the other 400, and i can't tell the difference between them
http://www.amazon.co.uk/16-gb-usb-drive-Electronics-Photo/s/qid=1223649598/ref=sr_pg_1?ie=UTF8&rs=560798&keywords=16%20gb%20usb%20drive&rh=n%3A560798%2Ck%3A16%20gb%20usb%20drive&page=1

I want one solely to back up photos stored on my PC.

All help and explanations welcome , thanks:A

7 Day shop are selling dane elec 16gb cards for £16.99 here http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_6&products_id=104373
I have used the company loads of times and have never had a problem, Bert

sk3tch

this one is good.. its ready boost enabled as well..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Cruzer-Micro-8GB-Readyboost/dp/B000VBPOKY

lavandergirl_2

I bought the 8GB Cruzer but after a few months it stopped working! The drive doesnt get recognized anymore.

I bought the 16 GB corsair usb (as recommended by someone from MSE).It seems fine