4GB flash drive $69

[Yo2]

Some costco warehouses carry a simpletech 4GB usb flashdrive for $69 OTD. It is not as small as other usb drives (1.5"x2"x1/4") but if small size is not critical this is a great price for 4GB

 

[Jawo]

AFAIK its not a flash, its a mini hddlinky

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: Jawo
AFAIK its not a flash, its a mini hddlinky

That almost makes it look like it has a CF based device inside, any additional info on this unit?

 

[Yo2]

possible - when it's plugged into a pc it is recognized as "usb to ide". Data transfer is quick (i.e. comparable to a fast flash drive)

 

[toant103]

pretty good deal. I just spent $200 to get a 8GB microdrive CF from seagate

 

[psy]

I believe this is the same model sold on Black Friday for $49 AR at CompUSSR.

Some reviews on the web have been very unfavorable.

I bought one for a friend who needed something for the road in Asia--haven't heard if it still works.

 

[mindless1]

Please correct the title to reflect that it's not a flash drive, rather USB microdrive Thank you.

 

[imported_bubbalou32]

Does this mean if you drop it, it's trashed?

 

[Ghettocowboy]

$69?? thats a steal, it is not as small as the flash drive but still, you cant go wrong with that price.

 

[mindless1]

Not so great, since they use more power, are not 100% shock resistant and have a far shorter lifespan. The power part is more of an issue if used in a mobile device rather than stationary (wall-AC-Powered) PC, but still present for you hackers out there who'd open it up for the drive.

Let's not forget larger, what good is a "portable" drive if it's big enough that you aren't likely to take it with you?

That doesn't make it a bad deal necessarily, it is a good price though you can get similar online for near enough to same price.

 

[MOCKBA1]

You mentioned more power, can it be used in laptops? I notice my laptop can't power firewire devices, however I am uncertain about USB.

 

[mindless1]

It "Could" be used, sure, but even so, you're still bettter off with a non-mechanical (real flash) USB drive because of all the aforementioned issues.

 

[Gundam]

Originally posted by: mindless1
Not so great, since they use more power, are not 100% shock resistant and have a far shorter lifespan. The power part is more of an issue if used in a mobile device rather than stationary (wall-AC-Powered) PC, but still present for you hackers out there who'd open it up for the drive.

Let's not forget larger, what good is a "portable" drive if it's big enough that you aren't likely to take it with you?

That doesn't make it a bad deal necessarily, it is a good price though you can get similar online for near enough to same price.

Difference between buying it online and buying it from costco is that you do not get costco's liberal return policy. If the drive dies on you, or hell, if you don't like the aesthetics of the casing a few years down the road, you can return it anytime you want.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: Gundam... if you don't like the aesthetics of the casing a few years down the road, you can return it anytime you want

You must be kidding? You would abuse a return policy (or even if not actually do it, you still put the idea out there...) because you don't like the esthetics of the product you CHOSE to buy? I don't have any kind words for that so I'll just refrain from being more expressive about it.

I've never had that kind of problem, and if I had a Costco around the corner that might be the more significant reason to sway the decision on where to buy, IF I had wanted one.

 

[grappa]

Please add that it's Costco in the title description. Some of us don't have a Costco nearby, or don't want to pay $45 for a membership (which would kill this deal anyway.) Thanks.

 

[azoomee]

Are there good low prices on big USB drives -- <$60?

 

[overclock]

Originally posted by: azoomee

Are there good low prices on big USB drives -- <$60?

This is an awesome 1GB drive...but it is small. I think it is the smallest you can buy. I love mine. It has a 5 egg rating out of 382 voters. It's about $10 cheaper than when I bought mine in Feb 2005.

 

[allisolm]

For those without a Costco, Buy.com has a 4GB microdrive for $69.95 w/free shipping. Link. Buslink brand.

edit: price at buy.com went to $75.99.

 

[esquared]

Let's not forget larger, what good is a "portable" drive if it's big enough that you aren't likely to take it with you?

What's not portable about this? It's barely larger than a zippo lighter. I have the Emprex brand and it works great. The only drives smaller than than are flash drives.

 

[esquared]

Originally posted by: mindless1
It "Could" be used, sure, but even so, you're still bettter off with a non-mechanical (real flash) USB drive because of all the aforementioned issues.

You're not better off if you need to 4 or 5 GB of space. The price for the 4GB flash drives are still 250.00+ 4 GB Flash drives
$69.99 for 4 GB of drive is the best price right now. I have both kinds of drives and each serves a purpose. It seems you are trying to talk people out of buying this drive. My drive has worked perfectly in every USB circustance. Especially my laptop. These drives should not have power issues because this is the kind of job they were designed for.

 

[unclebud]

just in case someone is interested, no opinion
#671956
http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/...Retailers/OfficeDepot/060129_p08_9.jpg
$129 after $30 rebate

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: esquared

Let's not forget larger, what good is a "portable" drive if it's big enough that you aren't likely to take it with you?

What's not portable about this? It's barely larger than a zippo lighter. I have the Emprex brand and it works great. The only drives smaller than than are flash drives.

Yes, exactly. Why would you want a huge USB interfaced drive?

 

[Miramonti]

anyone know the R/W speeds on this 4gb drive?

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: esquared

Originally posted by: mindless1
It "Could" be used, sure, but even so, you're still bettter off with a non-mechanical (real flash) USB drive because of all the aforementioned issues.

You're not better off if you need to 4 or 5 GB of space. The price for the 4GB flash drives are still 250.00+ 4 GB Flash drives
$69.99 for 4 GB of drive is the best price right now. I have both kinds of drives and each serves a purpose. It seems you are trying to talk people out of buying this drive. My drive has worked perfectly in every USB circustance. Especially my laptop. These drives should not have power issues because this is the kind of job they were designed for.

Not trying to talk anyone out of anything, even wrote it was a good price. Even so, it is only reasonable to highlight the primary differences, that there is more to it than only 4GB for $nn. I can throw my flash drive against the wall and it'll still work, among the other positive attributes already mentioned. For portability, this is really big. Anything you have to make space for is big when you already have plenty of other "gear" to tote around, unless you're wearing jungle pants with deep pockets or a purse, and I just don't have any of the latter.

That's just my opinion, anyone can decide for themselves. Why would I care if you bought it? Yes it must be a conspiracy... against, umm ???

 

[esquared]

Originally posted by: jjsole
anyone know the R/W speeds on this 4gb drive?

I have a different brand than this one (Emprex), but I get 7 to 8 MB/sec read/write with USB 2.0. I get the same read/write speeds as the flash based drives I own using HD Tach to measure.