We've tested a couple different USB flash drives at PCstats recently, and realistically speaking there isn't too much of a difference when it comes to file transfer speeds. The main spec you'll want to watch out for is if the device is 'USB2.0' compliant, not just if it will work with a USB2.0 port. Devices which communicate at USB2.0 speeds do so at 480Mbits/second. This is sometimes also called Hi-Speed USB. On the other hand, USB1.1 (or just USB) devices communicate at 12Mbits/second by comparison.

Not all PCs have USB2.0 ports, but you can quickly check your system by going to the 'Device Manager' under 'My Computer', and expanding the 'Universal Serial Bus' section. If you see an entry along the lines of 'Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller' present, then your system has USB2.0 ports. Different motherboard chipsets support different numbers of USB2.0 ports, so consult your motherboard manual to find out which USB ports on the board are 'Hi-Speed.'

SiSoft Sandra 2005	Source:Sandra

Sandra is designed to test the theoretical power of a complete system and individual components. The numbers taken though are again, purely theoretical and may not represent real world performance. Higher numbers represent better performance.

Sandra 2005 Benchmark Results
PQI Intelligent Stick Pro 170	Corsair Flash Voyager	Crucial Gizmo 2.0	Crucial Gizmo	Gigabyte GO-U0128B
Interface: USB2.0	Interface: USB2.0	Interface: USB2.0	Interface: USB1.1	Interface: USB2.0
Size: 512MB	Size: 512MB	Size: 512MB	Size: 256MB	Size: 128MB
Buffered Read : 21 MB/s Sequential Read : 21 MB/s Random Read : 21 MB/s Buffered Write : 3653 kB/s Sequential Write : 14 MB/s Random Write : 1 MB/s Average Access Time : 11 ms	Buffered Read : 17 MB/s Sequential Read : 17 MB/s Random Read : 14 MB/s Buffered Write : 2641 kB/s Sequential Write : 11 MB/s Random Write : 7 MB/s Average Access Time : 15 ms	Buffered Read : 5 MB/s Sequential Read : 5 MB/s Random Read : 3559 kB/s Buffered Write : 1657 kB/s Sequential Write : 5 MB/s Random Write : 1117 kB/s Average Access Time : 5 ms	Buffered Read : 898 kB/s Sequential Read : 898 kB/s Random Read : 898 kB/s Buffered Write : 765 kB/s Sequential Write : 892 kB/s Random Write : 759 kB/s	Buffered Read : 8 MB/s Sequential Read : 8 MB/s Random Read : 8 MB/s Buffered Write : 3382 kB/s Sequential Write : 7 MB/s Random Write : 2264 kB/s

SiSoft Sandra results are among the best in this bunch. The read speed of the PQI Intelligent Stick Pro 170 didn't quite hit PQI's 25MB/s (170x) speed rating, but 21MB/s read is close. Writing speeds were also very close to manufacturer specs; 14MB/s. Using the USB adapter or plugging the PQI Intelligent Stick Pro 170 directly into the slot made no difference with data transmission.

Thin and Quick

The PQI Intelligent Stick 170 has a storage capacity of 512MB, and is rated to dish out data at a speed of 170x (or 25MB/s). The unit can write data at 17MB/s, which typical of USB flash devices, is about half as fast as its read capabilities. All this in a package that is just 43 x 18 x 3 mm in size. It's amazing what miniaturization can do.

The 512MB model can be found for around $45 CDN ($39 US) making it a fairly affordable purchase. During real world testing, the PQI Intelligent Stick Pro 170 came within 4MB/s of matching its 170x speed rating, and Sandra reported read numbers around the 21MB/s mark. Writing performance was equally good as the benchmarks have already noted.

If the size of a USB drive has ever given you cause for annoyance, the PQI Intelligent Stick Pro 170 might be just what Santa ordered. It is a compact solution which maintains the speed and inter-operability that consumers expect from a USB device, and is a fresh take on such a common product.

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