Due to the available large number of different custom USB drive available in the market, the selection of one might be challenging, and it depends on various factors. However there are several things that user should take into consideration when they are in the process of acquiring a USB drive. This blog will bring users some suggestions concerning what to take into consideration when choosing USB drive so that user will make the right choice.
Here are some focus points to know when selecting a custom USB drive:
Storage Capacity: There is flexibility with the USB storage size depending on the data that is to be stored or transmitted.
Transfer Speed: USB drives are not all the same, they have optimum speeds for transferring particular kinds of data.
Device Compatibility: Make sure that user are using the right USB drive that is compatible with operating system and USB ports.
Flash Drive Style: The way that users plan to employ the USB drive, a customized style can affect their business and clients.
Know Which Data Storage Capacity Users Need
The first thing you need to consider is the capacity of a USB flash drive. USB drives come in sizes ranging from as small as 256MB to 512GB. Always check the size of the files you plan on transferring beforehand. This will ensure you have enough space to transfer or store your files. The right capacity will depend on what you plan to store.
Perday Use: If you’re storing small documents or photos, an 8GB to 32GB USB flash drive should be enough.
Business Use: If you plan on transferring large video files and presentations, consider a drive with 64GB to 256 GB of storage space.
Specialized Needs: For storing software backups or a database, USB drives with 512GB are recommended.
How to View The Total Size of Users Files
If you’re unsure how large your files are, here are some easy steps you can take on a Windows computer. Getting file information on Mac is also quick and simple. If your file size is close to the flash drive’s capacity, it’s recommended you get the next size up.
Step 1: Open and use the file explorer.
Step 2: Choose the file user intends to save or transfer. (To select multiple files, hold the shift key while selecting them.)
Step 3: Right-click on the files having selected. Several options should appear on the display. Click on Properties.
Step 4: Verify the total size under the General tab. There are two sizes shown: Size and ‘Size on disk.’ The size shown represents how much space the file(s) take up. Meanwhile, ‘size on disk’ refers to the total amount of space used by the file and its attributes.
Select USB Drive Data Transfer Speed
Another determinant when selecting a custom USB flash drive is the data transfer speed of that particular flash drive. The data transfer speed is all about how fast you can move files from one device to another or the details of the transfer speed. There are various types of USB’s, USB2.0 is currently the most common type of USB in use today. 0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and the latest USB 4, Standards: USB-if, USB Type-C, and others. 0. Each one has a different speed of data transfer, which is more appropriate for different circumstances.
- USB 2.0: Best suited for simple operations like documents and files transfers which are small in size.
- USB 3.0: Proffers faster connection and can be applied on sending bulky files for instance images and videos.
- USB 3.1: It is a viable choice if data copy has to take place from one computer to another and the size of the data is huge. This is very suitable for high resolution media files and large software mostly those that are regularly updated.
- USB 4.0: The most up-to-date and fastest type of USB flash drive standard. This portable USB drive is perfect for people who move different high resolution files, 4K for instance, in the shortest possible time.
Another aspect in this case is the r/w of the concerned device. These speeds are not the same and depend on the type of the flash drive which you have. Want your USB Drive to function at a faster rate? Try getting a USB Drive of the newer generation.
Check Device’s Compatibility
USB flash drives come in various shapes and sizes and possess connectivity interfaces of varying types. It’s good to identify beforehand which devices you will be using in the transfer of your data. There are two types of connectors and they are USB-A and USB-C, which are usually used in most modern computers. Still, some of the latest devices can only have USB-C connections, whereas other devices can only have USB-A connections.
If you have to bring many devices that have different ports, then you will find a dual USB flash drive or a USB adapter that can be connected to your drive to enable it to be compatible with your other device. Two other less used connectors for USB drive are the Micro and the Lightning.
Some types of USB drives are synchronized to operate on the particular systems such as Windows or Macintosh systems for example. All of them should ideally be got in a drive that can support all of them. If it isn’t, then it is recommended to reformat the drive for both PC as well as Mac usage.
Choose Custom USB Drive Style
Finally, decide what style and material user want their USB flash drive to be. A custom USB drive is more than just a useful tool; it can serve multiple functions.
If user intend to take it everywhere, choose a more durable material. This will protect their drive from rough terrain and excessive use. For businesses, it can help establish a professional image with clients. Text can be included in the body of the drive to provide useful information.
Read also: recover flash drive deleted files
Conclusion
Everyone desires a flash drive that meets their specific needs and it’s crucial for anyone to know what to look for in a USB flash drive. Be sure to scan the amount of data a user wants to store and transmit on that device. Determine the value of the speed it transfers files to the users. Ensure that the device will be compatible with the devices that user plans on using it on, and select the style that best fits user.