Looking for a good 8Gb USB key

Browser_ICEBrowser_ICE Join Date: 2002-11-04 Member: 6944Members
<div class="IPBDescription">which model/brand should I look for ?</div>I am interested into geting a USB key. Prefably 8Gb but not under 4Gb. I never had one. There are so many I do not know what to look for.

I know I should look for USB 2.0 but what else ?

Are they all compatible with Linux (will be using it on Win-XP/Ubuntu 7.10) ?

I am not looking for something that is blazing speed. I want to use the USB to store my MP3 and a C project I will be working on at home and in the office (free times).

The stores here have these brand :
- Cruzer
- SanDisk
- PNY
- GXT
- Kingston
- LG
- Kaser
- Jupiter Digital
- Duracell

Comments

  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    edited April 2008
    There's a 4 gig Kingston one on sale for 15$ today at NewEgg.

    I think it's a pretty good one. It's purple too, which I think is cool.

    edit with link:
    <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134484" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820134484</a>
  • Browser_ICEBrowser_ICE Join Date: 2002-11-04 Member: 6944Members
    edited April 2008
    Oh and by the way, I am in Canada. So I wouldn't want to order something and have to pay $20-40 fees to have it shipped. I would prefer to go directly to the store and buy it (unless it was really a bargain even with shipment fees).

    I am not looking for the lowest nor highest cost. Quality/compatibility are my highest priorities.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1675333:date=Apr 8 2008, 08:11 AM:name=Browser_ICE)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Browser_ICE @ Apr 8 2008, 08:11 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1675333"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Oh and by the way, I am in Canada. So I wouldn't want to order something and have to pay $20-40 fees to have it shipped. I would prefer to go directly to the store and buy it (unless it was really a bargain even with shipment fees).

    I am not looking for the lowest nor highest cost. Quality/compatibility are my highest priorities.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ah, well then I can't help you. You can definitely check out the consumer reviews at newegg though, as I am sure those apply... and many people there use linux as well.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    edited April 2008
    All USB keys are compatible with Linux. So far as I know.

    However, the ones that have encryption features will usually only have software for Windows, but should still work on any OS so long as you don't intend to use encryption and you format it as FAT32.

    <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220252" target="_blank">This one looks good though.</a> I'm sure you could find it in Canada.

    :edit:
    <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=patriot+xporter+xt+boost" target="_blank">http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Sea...porter+xt+boost</a>
  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    I did not realize newegg charged extra to ship to the Frozen North. I would still look at the reviews they have on the site though, especially if you're not sure what you want.
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    Don't bother with encryption. You'll be paying extra for something that offers no protection at all.

    I've always bought generic brand memory sticks, hasn't failed me yet. The 16 gig versions are coming out nowdays and are economically comparable to the 8 gig versions.

    --Scythe--
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    I don't know if they have become more reliable, but a good motto is "never trust a USB stick with the only copy of your data." Always make sure you have backups (though that goes for everything, really), because even if the stick never lets you down you can still lose it.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    I've been using the same 1 gb cruzer-mini for 3 years now. It's been put through the washing machine 3 times, dropped in a pool once, dropped in a puddle twice, kick/thrown/dropped/stepped on numerous times and it still works perfectly. So, take that as you will.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    I wouldn't advise doing any of that to your USB stick.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    I heard somewhere that in terms of speed, sandisk is the way to go? Any confirmation on that?
  • NecroticNecrotic Big Girl&#39;s Blouse Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 53Members, NS1 Playtester
    My Corsair Flash Voyager is rubber coated for extra dropability and it's fast as balls, I use it as a scratch disk for editing small projects and it's never dropped out on me...whilst my WD MyBook has dropped on numerous occasions.
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    IMO, the only factors to look for in a USB thumb drive are shape and style. In my experience, a poorly shaped drive can give you headaches trying to plug it into a surrounded USB port. Also, while the drives themselves will last for years and years if properly taken care of, it's been my experience that any single drive usually only lasts for approximately a year before it gets lost, or plugged into a flaky usb port and dies, or gets bent while plugged into a port, etc... So plan on replacing it.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    I like the tiny ones about the size of your thumbnail. People are incredulous when you say it holds gigabytes worth of info, even though it's basically just what a normal USB key would look like if you took all the extra plastic away.
  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1675955:date=Apr 16 2008, 01:40 AM:name=[WHO]Them)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE([WHO]Them @ Apr 16 2008, 01:40 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1675955"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    IMO, the only factors to look for in a USB thumb drive are shape and style. In my experience, a poorly shaped drive can give you headaches trying to plug it into a surrounded USB port. Also, while the drives themselves will last for years and years if properly taken care of, it's been my experience that any single drive usually only lasts for approximately a year before it gets lost, or plugged into a flaky usb port and dies, or gets bent while plugged into a port, etc... So plan on replacing it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    QFT, also i suggest ordering online, what you would pay a 20-40 fee would make up for the 100 dollars they would charge you at the store for a 8 gig.
  • the_x5the_x5 the Xzianthian Join Date: 2004-03-02 Member: 27041Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1675972:date=Apr 16 2008, 09:44 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Apr 16 2008, 09:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1675972"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I like the tiny ones about the size of your thumbnail. People are incredulous when you say it holds gigabytes worth of info, even though it's basically just what a normal USB key would look like if you took all the extra plastic away.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah I like them too. They look like espionage gear. (very easy to hide)

    It's only a matter of time before notebook computers start using these as their HDD instead of a physical HDD. (I'll bet it'll be a gradual phase through just like when desktops went from CRTs to LCDs)

    As far as which is the best... I dunno... I had a SwissBit one that was pretty cool and doubled as pocketknife. Not sure what happened to that one. Right now I have a Geek Squad one and Kingston one. Both are retractable (caps get lost, get one that retracts)
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1676041:date=Apr 16 2008, 07:06 PM:name=the_x5)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_x5 @ Apr 16 2008, 07:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1676041"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's only a matter of time before notebook computers start using these as their HDD instead of a physical HDD.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Are you implying that SSD's are somehow <i>ethereal</i>? (j/k, couldn't let it go)


    <!--quoteo(post=1676041:date=Apr 16 2008, 07:06 PM:name=the_x5)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_x5 @ Apr 16 2008, 07:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1676041"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Both are retractable (caps get lost, get one that retracts)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    He's definitely right about the caps getting lost. But IMO caps are unnecessary. I've never had a drive die from something a cap could have prevented.
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