14 DAY TRIAL // As far as storage devices go, USB 3.0 flash drives are among the most varied, even though one might think the basic shape of USB-connected stick doesn't allow for much of that.
This time around, Green House is the company showing just how many things a flash drive can offer, even as it keeps design simple.
The company has released a new stick line called PicoDrive J3, as Japanese report and press announcements website Hermitage Akihabara informs.
On the outside, all the members of the series look the same, and their build involves a common, retractable mechanism colored a rather dull gray.
The type of memory chip construction is identical as well, though the capacity and, by extension, number of chips and data links affects the performance.
But first we should say what capacity options there are: 8 GB (GH-UFD3-8GJ), 16 GB (GH-UFD3-16GJ), 32 GB (GH-UFD3-32GJ), 64 GB (GH-UFD3-64GJ), and 128 GB (GH-UFD3-128GJ).
The first two write data at up to 11 MB/s, the 32 GB drive operates at 22 MB/s and the 128 GB and 64 GB flash drives have a write speed of 36 MB/s.
On that note, all the newcomers have the same top read rate, of 150 MB/s.
The performance is possible thanks to the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface standard and the dual-channel MLC NAND architecture (multi-level cell flash memory).
Finally, the newcomers weigh 15 grams each and measure 59.5 x 21.6 x 10.0 mm / 2.34 x 0.85 x 0.39 inches.
Sadly, there is no exact date of arrival for the new collection, nor have the prices been disclosed for either model. All we know is the vague ETA (estimated time of arrival): Q2 2013 (the second quarter, meaning April-June).
If there is something larger and more secure that you're looking for, the Apricorn encrypted external HDD might be more interesting.
