Sturdiest USB drive?

November 4, 2007 5:19 PM

Please recommend the sturdiest USB drive around. Assume that I am rougher on these things than Bigfoot.

Preferably the device should not have a cap -- I'd lose it eventually. It SHOULD fit on a keychain, however. Bonus points for data transfer speed, large capacity and low price -- in that order.

posted by portabella to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

I have a Lexar Jumpdrive. It has a rubber cap that fits around the whole unit and stays in place no matter how much you thump it around. The unit also has a place on the cover where a keychain could be attached.

An added bonus is that if you buy a dock for it, the Jumpdrives can be used as MP3 players. I've been using mine for this purpose for the last 3 years. Makes more sense than buying an iPod and not having control over my music files.
posted by reenum at 5:22 PM on November 4, 2007

No doubt about it, the Corsair Survivor.

Corsair site:
http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/survivor.aspx

Newegg with reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233055
posted by Gerard Sorme at 5:23 PM on November 4, 2007

Cruzer Titanium?
posted by stopgap at 5:23 PM on November 4, 2007

Sorry, that Newegg URL with reviews is at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820233055&ref=lmcd
posted by Gerard Sorme at 5:25 PM on November 4, 2007

We use Regular Cruzer Micros every day here at work, the retractable USB connection is great for banging around in a pocket/on a lanyard. If you really need the extra protection, the Titanium looks solid, but are you really gonna run over your drive?
posted by pupdog at 5:37 PM on November 4, 2007

Everything USB does their flash drive reviews with durability/rugged-ness tests from putting them through the wash to running them over with SUVs.
posted by s01110011 at 5:41 PM on November 4, 2007

I have two Cruzer Titanium drives, and my opinion of them is that they will be still in one piece long after I am reduced to my component atoms.
posted by tomble at 9:25 PM on November 4, 2007

How is the key-ring thingie on the Cruzer drives? I don't have a problem breaking the actual drives, but it seems every time I get one I lose it within a month because the key ring breaks and it falls off somewhere without me noticing.
posted by bradbane at 6:08 AM on November 5, 2007

@bradbane, the key ring is the weakest link on my Cruzer titanium. I attempted to take the key ring off and just attach it to my existing, stronger key ring, but it's designed in a way that keeps you from hooking the USB body right on to my key ring. it has held up so far (1 month), but I do wish there was a better way to secure it to my key ring.
posted by battlecj at 10:45 AM on November 5, 2007