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Rich Gates

Administator for GetUSB.info GetUSB.info started in 2004 with the concept of providing USB information for everything USB related. At the time, USB was gaining momentum and every day new products, articles and news became published. Today, the site is focused on bringing technical information, tricks and hacks to USB related products. The site does publish off topic information as well, to keep the variety up. Please visit the footer area of any page if you or your company is interested in article or product placement via purchased advertising.

Serial (DB9) to USB-C Connector

Serial (DB9) to USB-C Connector

Have you ever tried plugging something old into something new, and it just didn’t fit? Like trying to charge an old toy with a new charger? That’s the kind of problem some people have when working with really old computers and machines. One of the most common connector types starting in the early 1960s was the “serial” connection or “DB” connector.

A serial connector is a type of plug used to connect devices like computers, printers, and modems. It sends data one bit at a time, in a single line – like sending letters one by one through a pipe. This was the main way for computers to talk to other devices before USBs (Universal Serial Bus) became popular.

The first serial port (specifically the RS-232 standard) was invented in 1960 by a group called the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). It was made to help different kinds of machines communicate easily.

It became widely available to the public in the early 1960s, especially when computers and terminals started using it more often in offices and labs. By the 1980s the DB9 was the most common serial connector and was a common feature on most computers.

Sabrent has created a special cable that lets old machines talk to new computers. It’s called a DB9 Serial to USB-C cable.

DB9 Serial is an old way that machines used to send information to each other. It’s a type of plug that has 9 little pins. USB-C is the newer, smaller plug that you see on most new computers, tablets, and phones today. It’s the oval-shaped one you can plug in either way!

Why is the serial connector to USB-C important?

A lot of businesses and even schools still use really old equipment like:

  • Old computer screens (called terminals)
  • Printers
  • Modems (a device that helps computers talk over the phone line)
  • GPS systems (machines that tell you where you are)

But new computers don’t have the old DB9 Serial plug anymore. That’s why this new Sabrent cable is so helpful It acts like a translator so old machines and new computers can understand each other.

What is cool about the Sabrent cable?

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ChatGPT Had an Image Create Tool Update Earlier Today

ChatGPT Had an Image Create Tool Update Earlier Today

ChatGPT had an image create tool update earlier today. The service called DALL-E is a playful blend of two influences which was the root for how the name came about.

Salvador Dalí is the famous surrealist artist known for his imaginative and dream like imagery and WALL·E is the robot from the Pixar movie and represents the artificial intelligence and the futuristic capabilities of non human AI sources.

With that said DALL·E doesn’t technically stand for anything, but more like an acronym. Like the ChatGPT which creates surreal, imaginative images, just like Dalí would; yet powered by technology like the little WALL·E robot. The idea behind the name is to capture the spirit of art and artificial intelligence which is what the ChatGPT service does, turns words into images.

So what was improved?

Inpainting (Image Editing / Generative Fill)

You can now click on parts of an image and edit or regenerate specific sections—like replacing an object or modifying just the background—without recreating the whole image. This gives you much more control.

More Accurate Prompt Interpretation

The tool is now better at understanding complex and detailed prompts, including spatial relationships, styles, and lighting. If you say “a USB drive plugged into the left side of a silver laptop,” it’s more likely to reflect that exactly.

Higher-Quality Images

There’s a noticeable boost in the sharpness, realism, and overall visual fidelity of the images generated. Textures, reflections, and lighting effects are now more natural-looking.

Faster Generation Time

Image creation is now quicker, allowing near real-time rendering of visuals—even for detailed prompts or specific camera angles.

Improved Consistency in Object Rendering

The model is better at producing recognizable and consistent objects, like realistic human anatomy, symmetrical faces, or technical devices such as laptops and USB drives.

Better Handling of Text in Images

While still not perfect, the system is better at rendering legible and relevant text within images—like signs, labels, or product branding.

Enhanced Style Control

You can more reliably request specific artistic styles (e.g., pencil sketch, watercolor, photorealism), and the system will stick to that aesthetic more closely.

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Let There Be Light – The Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar

Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar

Working in a low light room with proper monitor lighting can reduce stress, reduce headaches and make employees a bit more productive. The Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar is a sweet workspace lighting addition and good solution for tech peeps who demand a good work light solution. Engineered to eliminate screen glare, the Quntis monitor lamp directs light precisely onto the desktop and keyboard area, ensuring a flicker-free experience that reduces eye strain. Great for long hour workers like coders or accountants. With its built-in auto-dimming sensor, the light automatically adjusts brightness levels based on ambient lighting conditions, maintaining optimal visibility throughout the day and night without user intervention.

Designed for seamless integration and contemporary look to fit in properly with any work environment. The space-saving light bar, because it fits on top of the monitor, easily clips onto monitors 22 inches and wider and freeing up valuable desk space. Powered via USB, the Quntis connects to any workstation setup and we can’t think of a reason why someone would be limited to using this. Connections can be made through a computer, docking station, or external power source. IT managers can appreciate the stepless dimming and adjustable color temperature range (3000K–6500K) , allowing users to fine-tune their workspace lighting from warm to cool tones, enhancing focus and productivity across various tasks.

Quntis Light Bar

Built with precision and durability in mind, the Quntis Monitor Light Bar features a high CRI95 LED rating , ensuring true-to-life color accuracy—critical for designers, developers, and content creators. With touch-sensitive controls the Quntis provides intuitive operation, while the power-off memory function retains previous settings, minimizing disruptions and maximizing user convenience. Tested through 10,000+ safety assessments and certified for anti-blue light and optical radiation safety , this monitor lamp is a long-term investment in workplace well-being.

For someone looking to improve office ergonomics, enhance employee efficiency, and reduce screen-related fatigue, the Quntis Monitor Light Bar is a great upgrade. Would also make for the perfect employee gift for a job well done. Its combination of smart functionality, premium build quality, and seamless adaptability makes it the perfect addition to any modern corporate workspace.

According to some online sales reports, the Quntis light bar is one of the most popular selling USB items for the past three months. Sources include Amazon and Google shopping.

About Quntis: A brand under SHENZHEN QIANHAI LIHERUISI KONGGU YOUXIANGONGSI, was established in 2016, focusing on the development and innovation of electronic accessories. The company’s product line includes earphones, audio speakers, and electric charging cables. Over the years, Quntis has expanded its offerings to include eye-care computer lamps and outdoor LED string lights, continually upgrading its products to provide better lighting solutions for consumers.

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Is There a Tariff on USB Flash Drives? (As of 2025)

Is here is a tariff on USB flash drives, = yes

Yes, there is a tariff on USB flash drives coming from China.

UPDATE as of April 9, 2025

The trump administration has no impossed a 120% tariff on USB flash drives. This move was after China did a retalitory tariff on US goods going into China at 84%. This is a “who will blink first” type situation. Unfortunately, no one is the winner.

USB flash drive tariff amount

UPDATE as of April 7, 2025

As of April 7th during trumps second term, the administration placed an additional 34% tariff on USB flash drives. Although the president does not have unilateral control over tariffs, it is possible Congress will bring a resolution to the floor and reverse or reduce these tariffs. Currently there are efforts for Congress to overturn or amend the tariffs placed on Canada, although no firm bill or law has been passed.

Three tariffs have been assigned to the USB flash drive category when importing product from China since 2020.

The first tariff was assigned during Trump’s first term in office at a rate of 7.5% percent which started February 2020.

The second tariff was assigned during Trump’s second term in office at a rate of 10% percent which started January 2025.

Because of this new tariff announced on “liberation day” (whatever that means) the total amount of tariffs charged to import flash drives from China into the United States is 51.5% on the cost of the product.

Is this bad? Mostly YES and a little no.

A big yes because any tariff assigned to a product during important is affectively a “tax” on the product. This is true for whether the item is being important from China or any other country.

A little “no” because the United States has a trade deficient in relationship to China. By instituting a tariff on imported goods, in theory, is supposed to encourage US suppliers to manufacture product in the United States.

Many economists argue about tariffs. Mostly that tariffs are harmful to the US economy because they increase costs for consumers and businesses while disrupting global trade. Many U.S. manufacturers rely on imported raw materials and components (such as semiconductors, steel, and electronic parts) to produce finished goods. Higher input costs make American businesses less competitive, potentially leading to job losses and slower economic growth.

Tariffs can also provoke retaliatory measures from trading partners, harming US exporters by making their goods more expensive and less competitive in foreign markets. While tariffs are often intended to encourage domestic manufacturing, they may not be effective in reshoring production. Many industries have deeply integrated global supply chains, making it difficult and expensive to shift production back to the US.

For example, there are no major players, such as Kingston, Western Digital, Nexcopy or Micron who manufacture USB flash drive memory inside the United States. These manufacturers use contract factories in China to produce the goods.

Even if these companies had manufacturing capabilities in the United States the NAND memory required to make the product would need to be imported from China. Since the NAND memory makes up 90% of the USB flash drive product cost, the advantage to move manufacturing to the US is not profitable. It is less expensive to have end-users foot the tariff bill, than to have manufacturers change their supply chain manufacturing strategy.

Tariffs are an old strategy for international business negotiations. The president who implemented these tariffs does not hold the “art of a deal” but rather, simple and elementary visions for how to negotiate trade deals. Tariffs have been used for centuries as a tool to protect domestic industries, generate government revenue, and influence trade relationships. The theory is, imposing tariffs to shield local businesses from foreign competition and ensure domestic industries could develop without being undercut by cheaper imports is no longer a working theory.

While tariffs remain a common negotiation tool, many economists argue that free trade agreements and international cooperation (such as those under the World Trade Organization) are more effective at fostering long-term economic growth. Instead of imposing tariffs, modern trade deals often focus on reducing barriers, increasing market access, and enforcing fair competition rules, which can lead to more sustainable and mutually beneficial trade relationships.

The above paragraph is a major short coming of the current administration (Trump 2025) and the inability to think at these higher levels and negotiate more detailed agreements will ultimately cost the American consumer hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

What can you do?

There is not much which can be done to avoid or circumvent the tariff imposed. For example, there is no manufacturer inside the United States producing USB drives. The cost to ship product from China to say Taiwan or Mexico and then ship into the US is more expensive than paying the tariff. Looking forward, the “option” any American has is understanding what a tariff is and how that impacts the bottom line for a company or business. Most importantly, to elect officials who are more in-line with consumer protection rather than exercising retaliatory political moves at the expense of American people.

A couple notes:

USB Flash Drive sales are estimated to be 5.47 Billion dollars for 2024. Let’s say the United States purchased only 1% of that amount, the $800 limit on single orders would still not allow manufacturers to “work the system” and avoid paying tariffs by making hundreds of mini shipping orders – there is too much volume coming into the United States to justify making thousands of small orders under $800. Plus, US Customs would certainly catch on to a scheme like that.

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How To: Fix Windows 11 Update Computer Issues

How To:  Fix Windows 11 Update Computer Issues

A recent update to Windows 11 is causing some significant issues for users, leaving many users frustrated and entire sure what to do. How To: Fix Windows 11 Update Computer Issues is a brief summary of the problem below and link to the solution (a Microsoft Windows utility to fix it all) This update, released on 26th September and labelled KB5043145, has led to major problems like your PC freezing, displaying the dreaded “blue screen of death” or becoming caught in a reboot loop where the computer repeatedly tries to restart itself but fails and thus tries again and again.

In addition to the blue-screens, some users report their USB and/or Bluetooth devices suddenly stopped working after installing the update. This includes a wide variety of peripherals such as keyboards, mice, headphones, microphones, memory sticks, and printers. Essentially, anything connected through USB or Bluetooth seems to be vulnerable to these problems.

One member from our team installed the updated and clearly something was broken in the file system, so they ended up restoring the entire PC. Far cry from an update experience. Our guy wasn’t alone, seems plenty of Windows users are seeing the same or similar issues.

Others have also reported issues with network connections, like their Wi-Fi no longer working, as well as problems with certain software programs like VirtualBox which runs Linux type OS subsystems.

If you found yourself dealing with these problems Microsoft advises that its Automatic Repair tool will help if your PC is stuck in a reboot loop. This tool might automatically pop up, allowing you to resolve the issue. For some users, BitLocker recovery can also be used to fix problems caused by the update, according to Microsoft’s support page.

Microsoft implemented a fix through its Known Issue Rollback (KIR) service, which is designed to undo the effects of problematic updates without requiring a manual uninstall. This tweak might help in automatically resolving these issues for many users. However, if your computer is still not operating correctly, Microsoft suggests attempting a system restart, which could trigger the automatic repair process and potentially get your PC back on track.

We would recomment that until the issues are fully ironed out, it may be worth holding off on installing this particular update, especially if your PC and peripherals are running smoothly as they are. If you’ve already installed it and are experiencing these issues, follow the Microsoft’s troubleshooting steps metioned above about the Automatic Repair Tool might be the best course of action to get everything back to normal.

Godspeed those USB ports and peripherals!

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How Much Memory Prices Have Dropped

How Much Memory Prices Have Dropped

It’s mind blowing to think that storing a terabyte of data used to cost about 100 billion dollars. Nowadays it fits on a $20 flash drive (MSRP is closer to $100)

In 1956, IBM introduced the first hard drive, the IBM 305 RAMAC, which had a storage capacity of about 5 megabytes (MB). The cost of this system was approximately $10,000 per megabyte, meaning the entire system would cost around $50,000 for just 5 MB of storage.

To calculate the cost of 1 terabyte (TB) of memory in 1956 using this rate:

  • 1 TB = 1,024 GB
  • 1 GB = 1,024 MB
  • 1 TB = 1,024 x 1,024 MB = 1,048,576 MB

At $10,000 per MB, the cost of 1 TB would have been:

1,048,576 MB * $10,000/MB = **$10,485,760,000** (over 10 billion dollars)

So, 1 TB of storage would have cost over 10 billion dollars in 1956.

By 2020, the cost of storage had decreased dramatically due to significant technological advancements in the storage industry.

In 2020, the cost of storage was approximately $0.02 per gigabyte, which translates to $0.00002 per megabyte. Using the same calculation as before:

  • 1 TB = 1,024 GB
  • 1 GB = 1,024 MB
  • 1 TB = 1,048,576 MB

At $0.00002 per MB, the cost of 1 TB in 2020 would have been:

1,048,576 MB * $0.00002/MB = **$20.97**

So, 1 TB of storage would have cost around $21 in 2020.

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WHAT IS: DiskPart Clean and/or Clean All Function?

what is, diskpart, clean, clean all

The clean function in DiskPart is a command used to remove all partitions or volumes from a disk, essentially wiping out all existing data on the disk. When you use clean in DiskPart on a particular disk, it performs the following actions:

Removal of Partitions: Deletes all partition or volume structures from the selected disk. This includes removing any partition tables and file systems information – or said another way, removes the format of the drive.

Data Erasure: The clean command deletes the partition table entries and boot code, but does NOT erase any data or overwrite data with random bits. Meaning, after using the clean command a data recovery software package could still recover the data.

Disk Initialization: After executing clean, the disk is left uninitialized. This means that the disk does not have any partitions or volumes, and it appears as raw, unallocated space. In order to use the drive after a DiskPart clean it is required to go into Windows Disk Management tool and assign a new volume to the USB. Once this is done, the device will have a file system (format) and be usable.

The CLEAN function is a nice way to quickly erase the partition and file system to start fresh with a new drive. For example, if an IMG file that is 5GBs large written to a 32GB stick, the problem is that 32GB stick is now only 5GBs large. The remaining space on the USB is unallocated and not usable. To get that unallocated space back, run the DiskPart CLEAN command. You will now have a 32GB drive (after initialization in Disk Management).

The clean all function in DiskPart is similar to the clean function but with an additional step of overwriting the entire disk with zeros. When you use clean all, DiskPart performs the following actions:

Removal of Partitions: Like clean, clean all deletes all partition or volume structures from the selected disk, removing any existing partition tables, file systems, and associated data.

Data Overwriting: In addition to removing the partitions, clean all also writes zeros to every sector of the disk. This process effectively erases all data on the disk by overwriting it with zeros. The purpose of this step is to securely erase the disk’s contents, making data recovery extremely difficult or impossible using standard methods.

Disk Initialization: After executing clean all, the disk is left uninitialized and completely wiped clean. It appears as raw, unallocated space with all previous data erased.

The clean all command is a more secure method of erasing data compared to clean alone, as it ensures that all sectors of the disk are overwritten with zeros. This process takes more time than clean because of the data overwriting step.

TIP: As with clean, it’s crucial to use clean all with care. Verify that you are selecting the correct disk because executing clean all on the wrong disk will result in irreversible data loss.

Ref: DiskPart Wikipedia

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Star Wars R2D2 USB Hub – 3.0 Speeds

Star Wars R2D2 USB Hub - 3.0 Speeds

Celebrate the all time fan favorite of Star Wars with this R2D2 USB hub that not only lights up but also plays his notorious R2D2 sounds. Before we get to the product, let us take a few minutes and review how awesome R2D2 is with this summary of his big screen persona.

R2-D2 is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, and it is an astromancy droid known for its resourcefulness and loyalty. Here’s a brief history of R2-D2:

Creation and Introduction:

R2-D2 was created by George Lucas and designed by Ralph McQuarrie for the original Star Wars film, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” which was released in 1977. R2-D2 made its first appearance in this film.

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Encrypt a USB Flash Drive, Windows 10, Free Feature!

Encrypt a USB Flash Drive, Windows 10, Free Feature!

Encrypting a USB flash drive is quick and easy in Windows 10. The PRO version of Windows 10 will allow anyone to activate Microsoft’s built in bitlocker technology to encrypt an entire flash drive, or part of a USB flash drive.

Microsoft BitLocker is a disk encryption technology designed to enhance data security by encrypting entire disk volumes on Windows operating systems. Introduced with Windows Vista and included in subsequent versions, BitLocker provides a robust defense against unauthorized access and data breaches.

The primary purpose of BitLocker is to protect sensitive data in case a device is lost, stolen, or accessed by an unauthorized user. It uses full-disk encryption to secure the entire contents of a disk, including the operating system, system files, and user data. Even if someone physically removes the hard drive and attempts to access it on another system, the data remains inaccessible without the proper authentication credentials.

BitLocker employs various encryption methods, with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) being a commonly used algorithm.

The encryption process is transparent to the user once configured, and access is granted through authentication methods like PINs and passwords.

Below are nine screen shots and simply follow along in your Windows 10 Pro computer and do what you see below. The process is very easy to do. The longest part of this entire setup is the encryption of the USB stick itself. The time required to encrypt the drive will depend on a couple of factors, such as the GB capacity of the USB drive and the processing power of your computer. In the example below, using a USB 2.0 device with a 16GB capacity the encryption time took only 4 minutes.

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Get USB Flash Drive Serial Number with PowerShell or Command Line

Easily get the hard coded serial number of a USB flash drive with either the Command prompt in Windows or Powershell. Of the two, Powershell is easier. Below are the instructions. After the instructions there is a bit more information about the different types of serial numbers which can be found associated with a Mass Storage Device (USB flash drive) so be sure to read that part as well, so you get what you want!

In the Windows Search bar, type “powershell” and click Enter

The Powershell utility will run and simply copy and past the following:

Get-WmiObject Win32_DiskDrive | select Model, Name, InterfaceType, SerialNumber

The screen shot below shows the hard drive of the system and a USB flash drive. The command doesn’t clearly label each, so be a little aware of the devices connected compared to what is listed. It is suggested to have only one USB device connected while running Powershell so it is easy to identify the device.

get usb serial number using powershell

For the Command prompt, go to the USB flash drive itself. In the navigation field at the top (where you can type things) type in cmd. This will open the Command prompt for the USB flash drive itself. From here, copy and paste the following:

wmic path Win32_USBControllerDevice get Dependent | find “USBSTOR”

The screen shot below shows the same result as the Powershell command, BUT the string does have an extra &0 which is not part of the USB flash drive device. So a bit of parsing is required when looking at the number, or parsing of code if you plan to use the Command prompt to find the device serial number programmatically.

get usb serial number using command line

From the two above the Powershell solution is a bit more elegant.

However; may we suggest a third option? If you find yourself on this page, there is a high probability there are other features you can benefit from, like making an Image file of your USB stick, or speed benchmarking the performance of your flash drive.

If that is the case, then we recommend our free program, no installation required, standalone exe file that will fetch the serial number of a device as well as provide a tool to create image files or speed test your USB flash drive.

usb flash drive utility, image file, speed test, get serial number

You may download the free program here. Again, no installation required, this is a standalone exe file that can run from your flash drive or hard drive:

FREE DOWNLOAD: Nexcopy USBScrub

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Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC – Easy

Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC – Easy and Automated

iCloud is the default way to store your photos from your Apple device to another location. Once the files are in your iCloud, you can log into the iCloud account and save those images to your computer.

However, many users don’t use the iCloud service and looking for an alternative. Here is an alternative that is easy, automatic and far less expensive than an iCloud account.

The Qubii Pro is a backup device that takes place while you are charging your phone. There is nothing to do and there are no settings to set. The Qubii Pro is a small device that holds a microSD card for data storage and connects directly to your iPhone cable and of course your charging block.

Transfer photos from your iPhone to storage is automatic. Qubii will scan your video and photo library and backup any file it doesn’t detect on the microSD card. The first time used, the backup process could take a long time because the Qubii hasn’t seen your digital library and so will back everything up. The time to do this will depend on the number of video and photo files you have. However, on subsequent connections Qubii will only backup new photos or video.

Since everyone is good about charging their phones at night, the backup process will take place without disrupting usage. The backup will take place while you sleep.

Yes, Apple gives each user 5GB of free space, but do you realize that space goes very quickly? The high resolution photos and video will chew threw your 5GBs of storage fairly quickly. As you can see from the price matrix below, the cost for using the iCloud isn’t all that expensive, at first, but gets up there for sure!

  • Free: 5GB of storage per iCloud account (not per device)
  • $0.99/month: 50GB of storage (single user)
  • $2.99/month: 200GB of storage (family use)
  • $9.99/month: 2TB of storage (family use)
  • If you purchase the $22.95/month Apple One Family plan, you receive 200GB of iCloud storage as part of your membership. The $32.95/month Apple One Premier plan comes with 2TB of iCloud storage.

Apple does a very good job of pestering you to signup for the Family Plan so there is a high probability your monthly cost will be north of $20 USD (at the time of this writing in 2023)

With the Qubii, there are some items to be aware of:

  • The solution does not allow you to select which video and photo to back up, it just does it all
  • If a file is deleted off the microSD card, the solution will backup the photo again if found on your phone
  • The solution backs up only photo images and video files, doesn’t backup contacts or documents
  • If you swap out the microSD card, the entire backup will start over again

The last point mentioned above is key.

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Is it worth buying a USB 3.1 Flash Drive?

Is it worth buying a USB 3.1 USB flash drive?

The tech industry, tech nerds and tech blogs will definitely say that buying a USB 3.1 flash drive is worth it. After all, these blogs need something new to write about and new links to generate for affiliate advertising, but are these blogs reporting back valuable information before someone spends their hard earned cash?

Let us compare the write speed difference between a USB 3.1 flash drive and a USB 3.0 flash drive to see what information we can uncover.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) has different transfer speeds based on the version of technology, we did a write about that earlier. The USB 3.1 specification has a transfer rate which taps out at 1,250 MB/second (Megabytes per second). The USB 3.0 specification has a transfer rate which taps out at 625MB/second. Of course this is the theoretical maximum transfer speed. When anyone says “theoretical transfer speed” they are implicating all conditions are ideal. For example, the host computer has the horsepower and bandwidth to push that much data and the receiving device (in this case, flash drive) has equal throughput to receive that data. But is that the real world – is it worth buying a USB 3.1 USB flash drive?

Below are some images and here is the general order of what you will be reading:

  • Screen shots of the USB device type (USB 3.0 and USB 3.1)
  • Screen shots of benchmark software testing both USB technologies
  • Screen shots of a real-world copy jobs using a Windows computer

From the screen shots below you can see a USB 3.0 flash drive and USB 3.1 flash drive. Both flash drives use an SMI controller for the USB 3.0 and 3.1 technology. These are the same high quality and higher performance controllers seen in iPhones and NAND memory used from Micron Technology. The NAND memory type is MLC (multi-layer cell memory) is slower than SLC NAND memory (single layer cell). Note: USB flash drives do not use SLC memory because the NAND memory price is too expensive and the SLC supply is very small. Flash drives are produced at mass scale and meant to be a low cost data transfer and storage tools – speed is not the #1 priority, despit all the marketing we read online.

USB 3.0 flash drive specifications

USB 3.1 flash drive specifications

Here are benchmark speed tests for both USB devices in discussion today.

The program has two test settings for benchmarking a speed test. One test setting is for the theoretical maximum speed of the device and writes data directly to memory without accounting for operating system and device overhead for were the data is stored. Think of this as a random write test to any available sector on the flash drive.

The second test setting is a write sequence which includes the operating system and device overhead cache for placing files in the file allocation table. This means extra time is spend during the data transfer to log where each sector is written along with the calculation required to write the next bit of data. This second test setting is more like a real-world experience.

Speed benchmark software is designed to provide a relatively quick summary of the device capability. So the first test setting is designed to show the theoretical maximum write speed or “burst” write speed. The second test setting is designed to show a more “sustained” write speed. Any benchmark software is designed to provide a quick and easy snap-shot of what the device can do – but can the device do it?

Readers can download the USB Scrub software for speed benchmarking their flash drives. The software is 100% free, no installation or sign-ups, and includes other cool features like registry cleaning and making image files of flash drives. USB Scrub download link
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