SanDisk Memory Vault review

SanDisk's Memory Vault provides rugged storage for your photos

SanDisk Memory Vault
Store your digital memories for future generations with the SanDisk Memory Vault 8GB

TechRadar Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Compact

  • +

    Resilient

  • +

    Fair price

  • +

    Designed for long term use

Cons

  • -

    Small capacity

  • -

    USB 2.0 connection is slow

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Our photos are some of the most valuable things we can store on our hard drives. Sure, the processor and components inside the PC cost more, and the peripherals we attach to the PC would be more valuable to potential thieves, but the digital photos we've taken during important events in our lives can never be replaced.

As its name implies, the SanDisk Memory Vault is a USB drive designed to store your precious photos and protect them. It does this in a number of ways.

First, it has a solid and rugged case to protect it from damage. It has also been tested to support data retention for up to 100 years. There are also stickers supplied that enable you to label the SanDisk Memory Vault. The idea here is that the SanDisk Memory Vault will be passed down from generation to generation, much like family photo albums are.

Verdict

It's a great idea in principle, though with 8GB or 16GB (we tested the 8GB version) storage space you're not going to get a whole lifetime's worth of photos on there. There are larger rugged external hard drives around, such as the Lacie Rugged 500GB and the ioSafe Rugged Portable Hard Drive, which could protect your photos just as well (if not better) than the SanDisk Memory Vault and contain a lot more of your photos.

Another problem is that the SanDisk Memory Vault is only USB 2.0, so the drive reported rather slow - compared to USB 3.0 drives - speeds of 7.21MB/s write and 18.80MB/s read. So if you're transferring lots of digital photos then it's going to take you quite a while.

Matt Hanson
Managing Editor, Core Tech

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he's loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made.