A flash drive is almost taken for granted these days, and it’s rather a pity. It’s one of those devices that we just pop into our pockets and forget about until we need them.
But with the growing technology and the race to be the best and fastest, there is also a need to move data quickly and effortlessly.
This is where the SanDisk Ultra 8GB flash drive comes in. Yes, one can argue that a flash drive does exactly the same function as the next, but that is why manufactures include all sorts of pre-loaded software on the drive.
The 8GB, and all the others in the Ultra series, comes with the ability to perform a secure online backup (up to 2 GB) offered by SanDisk’s online backup partner, but there is a short registration for that.
For a bit more protection other than the standard ‘lock’ function, the installed SanDisk SecureAccess software also allows the user to store private files in a password-protected and encrypted vault on the USB flash drive. The password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption. It’s great for sensitive information, but in general a flash drive is a rather personal device.
The Ultra series comes in 8, 16 and 32GB flavours, and the file transfer rate is rather impressive. Based on SanDisk internal testing, users can expect to reach transfer speeds of up to 15MB/s read, and up to 10 MB/s write, which applies to the first 20 MB of data transferred.
In terms of build, the device is solidly constructed and will withstand most falls and spills, but will naturally break if dropped from excessive heights. The USB’s contact plug is also hidden away inside the body, and users need to press and hold the button on the top while sliding it forward in order to plug it into another device.
One can never have too many flash drives, and SanDisk makes some of the best on the market. Its great value for money and it serves its purpose well. There is always the risk that one might lose such a small device, but the Ultra does have a hole for a lanyard. Well worth the money.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
