A new line of USB flash drives has been announced by Lexar, which focuses on both durability and USB 3.1 support (compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0). From the technical side, the Lexar JumpDrive Tough drives can read up to 150 MB/s and write up to 60 MB/s, which is obviously nowhere near SSD speed, but reasonably fast for the typical cases that you would use a thumb drive.
As for its robustness, Lexar claims that the JumpDrive Tough will operate normally between -13F and 300F, which is just shy of the bake cookies temperature. It is also water resistant up to 98 feet.
The Lexar JumpDrive Tough will be available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB models for $19.99, $34.99, and $59.99, respectively. While I don’t normally consider manufacturer returns for something like this, Lexar is backing this purchase with a 3-year limited warranty, which gives some legal teeth to their claims (if anyone takes them up on it). They are available now.
Durable, so SLC or at least
Durable, so SLC or at least MLC, right?
Given that the read/write
Given that the read/write speeds don’t come close to taxing even USB 3.0, I wonder if there is any reason beyond checkbox marketing for these drives to be given a USB 3.1 capable interface.
Yes that only means that they
Yes that only means that they may support USB Type-C Gen 1 usage maybe and that “USB 3.1” is just a marketing obfuscation trick. Because some of us know that any USB 3.1 controller chip will also speak USB 3.0/2.0 etc. The key word here is “capable” and it does not mean the same as actually supporting USB Type-C Gen 2 10Gbs speeds.
You can thank the USB-IF for sending out such a confusing array of information pamphlets to the press and the public with regards to the USB-IF’s Type-C plug and USB 3.1 controller standards labeling guidance.
Also the provided image does not even show if what the actual product is using even a Type-C form factor Plug, and it could very well be a USB Type-A from factor plug and really only be an run of the mill USB 3.0 device under the old USB-IF nomenclature.
So Looking at the “USB 3.1 support (compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0). ” statement well that’s true for any old USB thumb drive as backwards compatibility is intrinsic with any new USB standard, even if it’s using a Type-C form factor plug! As even the older thumb drives with USB Type-A plugs can be with an USB Type-A to USB Type-C adaptor can be used in a USB Type-C Gen 2 receptacle and the USB-IF standard will auto negotiate the connection speed according to the thumb drive’s actual controller(USB 3.1, 3.0, 2.0/etc,)
Those USB thumb drive makers are a nefarious bunch when it comes to gaming the USB-IF’s crappy naming guidance with regards to the USB-IF’s really crappy job of educating the public with regards to its really confusing naming conventions on its new Type-C and USB 3.1 standards.
Its only a Type-A plug. No
Its only a Type-A plug. No Type C