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Date |
: Sept 26th, 2001 |
| Category |
: Storage |
| Manufacturer |
: Trek 2000 |
| Author |
: Jin-Wei Tioh |
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Now matter how useful or technically advanced a product, the price factor also comes into an end-user's purchasing decision. The prices of the ThumbDrives have dropped significantly since our last article. The 8MB ThumbDrive Secure weighs in at US$25. The 16MB secure model will set you back by US$35, 32MB - US$55, 64MB - US$99, 128MB - US$175, and 256MB - US$330. How does this compare to other removable storage solutions?
| Device
Type (USB) |
Price
(US$) |
| Media |
Reader/Writer |
Battery |
Total |
| ThumbDrive
Secure (32MB) |
55 |
N/A |
N/A |
55 |
| SmartMedia
(32MB) |
25 |
25 |
N/A |
50 |
| Compact
Flash (32MB) |
22 |
20 |
N/A |
42 |
| Iomega
Zip (100MB) |
10 |
92 |
22 |
102 |
Compared to the 32MB SmartMedia and Compact Flash solutions (assuming that the reader/writer does not require an external power source), you pay an average 25% premium for the ThumbDrive Secure. Keep three things in mind : the ThumbDrive Secure is smaller and lighter; your data is effectively secured from prying eyes; you don't need a reader/writer, cable and power supply; which makes it more ergonomic and convenient to use. Ignoring capacity, Iomega's Zip drive is the least elegant removable storage solution, being that it is larger and heavier. Comparing cost per MB, the price premium is around 70%. Although it is ultimately up to you, the reader, to decide whether the price premium is justified, it the opinion of this reviewer that it is worth it.
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