We suspect SanDisk would have run into some friction by proclaiming that its Cruzer Blade is the world’s smallest USB flash drive, but it smartly chose to word things as its smallest in order to not draw attention from those other guys. No matter how you slice it, though, this little doohickey is awfully minuscule, being “about the size of a standard size paper clip and weighing approximately the same as a penny.” It’s tailor made to hang off of your existing keyring, and it’s available in capacities ranging from 2GB to 16GB. As for prices? $14.99 to $77.99, and (just about) everywhere in between.

Continue reading SanDisk ships its smallest USB thumb drive, the diminutive Cruzer Blade

SanDisk ships its smallest USB thumb drive, the diminutive Cruzer Blade originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s not the first thumb drive we’ve seen that taps into eSATA in order to provide near-USB 3.0 speeds without a SuperSpeed socket, but A-DATA’s N909 ditches that awful design scheme from years back in favor of a much more streamlined approach here. Designed to utilize that USB 2.0 + eSATA combo port that’s found on most modern day laptops, the N909 doesn’t require an extra USB connection for power. Internally, the four-channel design enables the stick to achieve transfer rates of up to 90MB/sec (read) and 50MB/sec (write), and it’ll also function just fine in a standard USB 2.0 socket (albeit at far slower speeds). No pricing information is being handed down just yet, but they should hit shelves soon in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities.

Continue reading A-DATA’s N909 thumb drive taps into eSATA for extra oomph

A-DATA’s N909 thumb drive taps into eSATA for extra oomph originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously available in 16GB and 32GB versions, Lexar’s Echo SE line just got gigantic. And a lot more useful, if we should say so ourselves. With many SSDs topping out at 128GB, and quite a few netbooks shipping with 160GB HDDs, having this USB drive plugged essentially allows your entire laptop to be continuously backed up. The built-in, “no touch software” automatically backs up files in use, requiring absolutely no activation on your end. We’re told that the little bugger will work with Windows and OS X platforms, but the assurance of having your mobile life backed up at all times will cost ya. And by that, we mean “make you $349.99 poorer.” It’s available now at various e-tailers (Amazon, Newegg, etc.) if you’re willing to pay the premium.

Continue reading Lexar’s 128GB Echo SE USB thumb drive continuously backs up your netbook, mobile life

Lexar’s 128GB Echo SE USB thumb drive continuously backs up your netbook, mobile life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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