Toshiba releases TransMemory Retractable U362 and Mini U201 USB flash drives
Cloud storage is all the rage nowadays, and for good reason -- it is convenient and oftentimes free (depending on capacity). With that said, there are still benefits to physical on-premises storage for redundancy and possible security reasons. For businesses in particular, it can be daunting to trust confidential information and trade secrets to the cloud. I rather like flash drives for operating system installs, such as Ubuntu and Windows.
Today, Toshiba announces two new models of USB flash drive; the USB 3.0 U362 and the USB 2.0 U201. Besides speed differences, the former is retractable, while the latter is very small and colorful. In other words, the company is offering consumers different options and price points.
"The new TransMemory Retractable U362 offers up to 64GB storage capacity with a stylish metallic finish, and is ideal for designers, content creators, students and consumers who often work with large digital files. It’s a simple and efficient way to organize, store and move data -- with the added benefits of a cap-less design and of one-click convenience. Simply click the end to expose the USB plug and the high-speed data transfers begins. USB 3.0 technology means users can transfer content-heavy files, design documents and multimedia quickly and conveniently with any USB 3.0 compatible device. The drive is also backwards compatible with any USB 2.0 device and offers simple plug and play operation that works on both Mac and PC. The unit is backed by Toshiba's reputation for quality and reliability, plus a 3-year limited warranty", says Toshiba.
The company is also offering a new super-cute USB 2.0 drive. Toshiba explains, "perfect for pockets, purses, key rings and backpacks, the TransMemory Mini U201 offers up to 32GB in an ultra-small size that's ideal for on-the-go data sharing, backups and transfers. This drive is optimized for devices with USB 2.0 ports for high-speed data transfer. The drive offers USB plug and play simplicity and is compatible with both Mac and PC, with no software installation necessary. It's available in three color options -- yellow, blue and gray, backed by Toshiba innovation and a 2-year limited warranty".
Retractable flash drive designs are my favorite, as there is no cap to lose and the connector stays fairly protected. It is for that reason the U362 interests me. In addition, I rather like the professional look and USB 3.0 speed. Unfortunately, it is a bit pricey, at $39.99 for 16GB, $69.99 for 32GB and $99.99 for 64GB. Hopefully both the quality and performance are worthy of the cost.
On the flip side, the slower USB 2.0 U201 is affordable at $11.99 for 8GB (Yellow), $19.99 for 16GB (Blue) and $36.99 for 32GB (Gray). Yes, you are reading that correctly; the color corresponds to the storage capacity. I find this a bit disappointing, as I absolutely adore the yellow color, but would want either the 16GB or 32GB capacity. Why assign the most boring color (Gray) to the biggest size?
If you are interested, you can buy the U201 here and the U362 here.