Specifications of a USB Flash Drive

USB flash drives are small, but they carry a lot of data.

Flash memory is a large part of the reason you can carry loads of music, pictures, numbers and documents on tiny hand-held devices. Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives provide a convenient way to take media, work files or class assignments with you.

Memory Storage

USB flash drives are tiny; most are only about the size of your thumb, which is why many people call them "thumb drives." Despite their small stature, they can hold a great deal of information. As of September 2010, USB flash drives' memory storage ranges from 2 GB to 256 GB, but you can expect them hold even more data in the near future.

File Transfer Speed

The file transfer rates of USB flash drives vary depending on the manufacturer and your computer setup. However, according to Everything USB, "currently the fastest USB 2.0 flash drives on the market are able to reach read and write speeds of up to 34 and 28 megabytes per second," respectively.

Prices

Prices for USB flash drives have been plummeting as technology improves. You can buy 8 GB or less for under $15. Newly emerging USB 3.0 flash drives, however, can cost more than $800 for 256 GB.

References

• Everything USB: USB Flash Drive FAQ
• USB Flashdrive: USB Flash Drives