How to Choose Your USB Key

Contents

– What is a USB key?

– Criteria for choosing the key: size, capacity, design…

– USB key: comparative table of different models

Along with the computer screen, the external hard drive, the computer keyboard, the PC camera, and the printer, the USB flash drive is one of the computer peripherals.

What is a USB flash drive?

A USB flash drive is a storage device that plugs into the computer’s USB port.

It is often referred to as the successor to the floppy disk.

The USB key is composed of a flash memory that works a bit like a hard disk.

Criteria for choosing the key: size, capacity, design…

If you want to buy a USB flash drive, here are the different points that we advise you to consider and compare:

Criteria for choosing your USB flash drive	Characteristics
Capacity	– The capacity of a USB flash drive can go from 256 MB to 1 TB, and this is expected to increase to 2TB in a near future. – It is therefore important to choose your USB flash drive according to the use you are going to make of it and the type of files you want to store. – For large files like video, it is better to choose a good capacity.
Size, design	– The models of USB flash drives are more and more varied with sober or very original designs, like animals, fruits… – The size of the flash drives also varies, there are mini flash drives that can easily fit anywhere and flash drives whose size is closer to a small external hard drive. – Some USB flash drives are retractable or swivel, which can protect the USB connector.
Robustness	– Most USB flash drives are made of plastic, but there are also light metal flash drives. – Metal flash drives tend to be more durable than plastic ones. – It is even possible to find waterproof USB flash drives.
Transfer and writing speed	– Transfer and write speeds vary from one USB flash drive to another. – Normally, a speed of 50 Mb/s will guarantee you a very good transfer time. The USB 2.0 standard can handle up to 60MBps data transfer speeds and USB 3.0 tops out at 600MBps transfer speeds. – The transfer speed also depends on the type of compatible USB, a USB 2.0 High Speed or USB 3.0 flash drive which is faster.
Features	USB flash drives can offer different features: – Ready Boost: some USB flash drives offer the Ready Boost feature that is compatible with all Windows versions since Windows Vista. It is supposed to speed up the USB flash drive. – U3 technology: this technology allows to run directly programs integrated into the USB flash drive like an Internet browser, instant messaging… – Encrypted data: some USB flash drives can encrypt the data stored on the flash drive to ensure confidentiality. – Data protection: it is also possible that a USB flash drive allows protecting the data so that they are not erased from the flash drive. – Built-in antivirus: USB flash drives may have their own antivirus software, which will directly prevent malware from entering the flash drive. – MP3: some USB flash drives also have an MP3/MP4 function that will allow you to play music directly from the flash drive. – Warranty: some manufacturers guarantee their USB flash drive for 1, 2, 5 years, and even for life. You can therefore exchange your USB flash drive if it malfunctions during the warranty period.