14 DAY TRIAL // External storage solutions based on a flash memory chip are very popular and while most memory sticks offer a maximum storage capacity of 16GB, Toshiba is really thinking of rolling over the entire market with their huge 32GB drive. From the most humble 64MB flash stick to the Gargantuan-sized Toshiba memory stick of 32GB is a long way and the Japanese computer hardware manufacturer is most surely betting on the enthusiast market to sell their product. The TransMemory U2K flash based drive series also includes more "normal" storage capacities that are in the realm of most computer users. According to the hardware Web based news site RegHardware null, Toshiba will launch reduced sized versions of the huge flash memory stick too and they will feature the not so small capacities of 1,2, 4 and 8GB storage space.
Thanks to their high read and write speeds these disks can also be used, apart from brute storage, to speed up computers running Microsoft Windows Vista, by acting as external memory devices, because of the operating system's feature of ReadyBoost. According to the above mentioned site "It's claimed the disk-caching technology can help PCs running the OS to become more responsive by using Flash memory to perform random disk reads at up to 100 times faster than similar reads from hard drives".
Such great storage capacities are bound to take up some space and the 32GB model from Toshiba is quite large for a latest generation of memory stick, measuring 8 x 2 x 0.8cm, while the other devices are somewhat smaller. As a compatibility factor, Toshiba designed its flash disks to work with both USB 1.0 and 2.0. "A downloadable password lock system, provided as standard on all models, should help to keep undesirable data thieves out. But, for an unknown reason, only the 32GB model fails to include the mittens-tied-to-your-jacket-style cap cord provided on the smaller capacity models. The 1, 2, 4 and 8GB capacity models will be available in October, with the 32GB model available in December".