We created one 100 dummy zip file and used Windows Explorer to drag and drop from the computer to the USB Flash Memory drive and back. A simple data transfer test, by any measure.

NetIQ's Qtest was used to measure the response time and average data throughput of the wireless network card communicating with a computer with a We timed the transfer of an 11.8MB file to give a real-world performance figure also.

Wireless Network NetIQ Tests
802.11b Tests	Transcend JetFlash	GN-WLBZ201	SMC reference card
Average Throughput	4.3 Mbps	3.7 Mbps	4.47 Mbps
Response Time	4 ms	6 ms	3ms
11.8Mb Test file transfer	24 sec	27 sec	22sec
802.11b Tests with 64-bit WEP
WEP Average Throughput	2.1 Mbps	2.3 Mbps	2.6 Mbps
WEP Response Time	4ms	7 ms	4ms
WEP 11.8Mb Test file transfer	47 sec	44sec	36sec

Here we see that without encryption the Transcend JetFlash supports an average throughput of 4.3 Mbps, and response time of 4ms. Bandwidth drops 50% once the 64 bit encryption is enabled which is to be expected. Every wireless network connection suffers a similar performance drop when WEP encryption is enabled.

Transcend's USB 1.1 JetFlash is an interesting alternative for those who have outgrown 1.44MB floppies. It not only offers 128MB of memory, but also doubles as a 802.11b wireless NIC, definitely a plus for any notebook or PC with at least one free USB connection. With a retail price of $95 CDN ($70 US), the Transcend Jetflash more expensive than a simple 128MB flash drive, or 802.11b NIC, alone but less expensive than both combined.

As a storage medium, the Jetflash performed as any USB1.1 thumbdrive would, as you can see from the test results above. Despite the small size the JetFlash performed just as well as other wireless USB adaptor, and reference SMC PCI card we tested. The response time with 64bit WEP enabled was 4ms, and the 4.3 Mbps connection (with encryption disabled) is sufficient for light data transfer, and totally fine for web surfing.

If you're looking for a USB thumb drive to replace that dusty pile of 1.44MB floppy disks, a unit with built in 802.11b wireless is a compelling option. On the flip side, if you're PC needs a USB-based wireless network card, why not look to a unit which also doubles as a flash drive!?