All USB flash drives Feeds

OCZ Mega Kart

tech.co.uk staff — 1204647092

We've been using the Mega Kart for some time now.

And it's proved a sterling office workhorse, bang-on for piping around game installations, batches of screenshots, and some terrifying internet discoveries.

8GB in something the thickness of a few credit cards is amazing, and compared to many of the others around, the read speed is competitive. A shame, then, that the write speed is so tardy by today's standards!

Still, capacity-wise, it's great value for money.

OCZ ATV Turbo

tech.co.uk staff — 1195689600

You'll either love or hate the design of the ATVs, depending on how much you like the feel of rubber. Rubberized casings are all the rage, in a range of products where differentiation is now the key.

The boast of a 100 per cent waterproof casing seems to stand the dip-in-a-bottle-of-water-and-shake test, and the read/write speeds are pretty impressive too.

If you're after a storage device to look after the most valuable of files while you climb mountains or head off gorge-walking then the ATV is for you. It's on the pricey side, but it still manages to outperform most of its price/capacity contemporaries.

Adata PD18 2GB

tech.co.uk staff — 1190847600

The more traditional type of memory stick, the PD18 is neat and compact, with one small innovation that is rather pleasing: it comes with a rubber bung on the keyring, so when the drive is plugged into a PC, you can keep the sleeve attached so it doesn't get lost.

Other than this, it's a pretty standard USB drive. And while 2GB worth of speedy ReadyBoost-ready storage is nice, the sleeve is a little loose on the drive itself, and can easily come off in your pocket, so we can't recommend it above better models.

Adata PD17 2GB

tech.co.uk staff — 1190847600

The latest in a neat line of shrinking storage devices, this little chap from Adata fits an impressive 2GB of space into its diminutive shell.

Hook it up to a lanyard or stick it on your keyring and you'll barely know it's there. It's also ReadyBoost certified, so you can increase your PC's Vista system performance with it when the old memory count drops to chugtastic levels.

But perhaps the neatest thing is the slide-out USB connector which helps to keep the size down.

PNY 4GB Attache Capless Concept

tech.co.uk staff — 1188255600

Flash storage really is one of those technologies that has crept up on everyone. It's now everywhere and is seemingly unstoppable.

These latest 4GB and 8GB capacity thumb drives are appearing at ludicrously low prices and have helped replace the now nearly forgotten floppy disk with a far faster, more convenient and massively higher capacity solution.

This latest Capless range from PNY features a swivel design that tucks the USB connection away when not in use. Despite its large 4GB capacity, it's not fast enough to be ReadyBoost compatible, which is something of a shame, but PNY does offer a specific high-speed ReadyBoost flash drive product.

With read speeds of 12MB/s and write of 5MB/s, it would take the best part of 15 minutes to fill. Despite the lack of ReadyBoost capabilities it's still a highly convenient and relatively cheap portable storage solution that'll fit into the smallest of pockets

A-DATA PD17 - 1 GB

tech.co.uk staff — 1186095600

As Flash storage continues to get smaller and more affordable, the A-DATA PD17 (£22 inc. VAT) is one of the most compact and usable devices we've seen. Available in a choice of gold, red or blue colour schemes, it clips neatly on to a keyring or lanyard and offers up to 4GB of storage.

To protect the USB connector, it is fitted inside the tiny 36mm casing and extended via a siding switch. Weighing just 5g, this is one of the lightest Flash drives currently available. Compatible with high-speed USB 2.0 ports, even large files are transferred quickly and easily.

Optimised for Windows ReadyBoost, you can connect the PD17 to a Vista-powered laptop and use it to increase your system memory. With its compact and stylish design, as well as strong usability, this is a great little Flash drive for the mobile worker, and a reliable business tool.

Transcend Jetflash160

tech.co.uk staff — 1183849200

Not quite the fastest drive around, but above average in the transfer speeds stakes, Transcend's 4GB Jetflash drive offers respectable performance for the reasonable asking price of £30.

The mirror-finish inlay is cute, but the rest of the chassis, made of very cheap-looking silver-flecked green plastic, is less so.

Average looks, commendable performance, reasonable price - no real complaints, but nothing to really sing about either.

Freecom USB Card

tech.co.uk staff — 1183762800

At £19, the Freecom USB DataCard is far from a serious investment.

The design is simple and impressive - it's considerably thinner than even slim rivals like the OCZ's Mega Kart, meaning you really wouldn't feel the girth bulging out your wallet.

However, the performance is nothing short of woeful. I could actually feel my quality of life falling as I watched the plodding transfer of our 1.17GB test file top out at - get a load of this - over six and a half minutes.

That's really not acceptable in this day and age.

Corsair Flash Voyager GT

tech.co.uk staff — 1183762800

The gimpy rubber sheath around the Corsair Flash Voyager GT's exterior may not be everybody's cup of tea, but there's no denying the power of this little stick.

8GB of the fastest Flash around nets you colossal transfer speeds - so much so that we could actually write our 1.17GB test file to it in under a minute. That's a real leap forward.

You pay a premium for such performance, but still, at £61, it's hardly breaking the bank.

Corsair Flash Survivor GT

tech.co.uk staff — 1183762800

The Survivor is pricey for an 8GB drive.

But then, it's packed with fast chips, and housed in aircraft-grade aluminium, for the major selling point of the Flash Survivor GT is its sheer toughness.

The cap is screw-on, and Corsair claims watertightness to 200 metres, plus the body is incredibly tough - no amount of boot-stamping dented it.

Transfer speeds are in the upper echelons too for this highly desirable (and well 'ard) item.