Super Talent has taken the USB flash drive to new dimensions – literally. The company’s Pico_C flash drive is tiny, measuring just 1.5″ x 0.5″ and weighing in at under six grams. What makes this flash drive truly amazing is its capacity in relation to its size: it is available in capacities of 2GB up to 32GB, which may not seem that high considering flash drives now reach out to over 100GB, but 32GB stuffed into a device smaller than your thumb is pretty remarkable.
Resembling the USB receiver module for a portable mouse, the drive itself is capless, but Super Talent claims that it’s “rugged” as well as water-resistant. And in addition to the standard plastic version, the device is also available with nickel plating and–get this–24k gold plating.
Of course, ruggedness and beauty don’t necessarily do any good if you lose the drive, which seems like a certainty. Still, if choosing from the 32GB models, going for gold isn’t going to break the bank and is likely the best choice, seeing as the price range for plastic, nickel, and gold versions comes in at between $80 and $90, regardless of casing choice.
If you aren’t bad about losing flash drives, the Pico_C is a nice little inconspicuous piece that can show a bit of class while not sacrificing performance. As stated, capacities for the chip-size drive reach to 32GB, and transfer speeds can reach 30MB/s. Compatible with the USB 1.1 and 2.0 specifications, it supports Plug-n-Play and ReadyBoost.
Of course, if you aren’t comfortable with such a tiny device, then super size, weight, and durability can be found in my personal flash drive of choice: the ultra-rugged Corsair Survivor. The Survivor comes in capacities of 8, 16, 32, and 64GB, and are protected by a virtually indestructible CNC-milled, anodized aircraft aluminum case. An EPDM waterproof seal keeps the drive safe at depths of up to 200 meters. This drive is the antithesis of the Pico_C in many ways – weighty, bulky, and not very pretty to look at. But it gets the job done splendidly with decent transfer speeds and storage sizes; comes in two large pieces (the drive itself unscrews from the metal casing, though sadly there’s no pressurized “pssssssst” or ensuing smoke when it’s taken apart), meaning that there’s always that one big metal tube to remind you to take the drive out of the computer; is capable of withstanding shock, water, and just about anything else you can throw at it; and it’s secure, coming pre-loaded with security software to keep prying eyes out. The security features are not mandatory, though; the drive is Plug-n-Play ready, and while its speeds are not stratospherically high, it serves well when used for ReadyBoost.
So if you don’t mind walking around looking like you’re carrying the canister of dino DNA from Jurassic Park, grab a Survivor. But if you want a little flash with your flash drive, opt for a Pico_C. It’s sort of like buying your computer a new piece of jewelry – and you know how much she does for you.
