USB drive suggestions?

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Level 1

89 points

USB drive suggestions?

I picked up a HP v125w 16GB flash drive as a means to portable backup of my files...
Unfortunately it chokes after a given amount of time and just up and COMPLETELY disconnects.
Finder then throws a 'the operation could not be completed... disk was not properly ejected...' error at me.

I'm taking this flash drive back to the store as it is junk.

Just wanted to bounce a question off the peanut gallery and see what brand(s) people have had good luck with and what ones to avoid.

Thanks!

Mac mini (2009), Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Feb 8, 2011 4:20 AM

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Answer 1

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Feb 8, 2011 4:28 AM in response to Dave Dahle

consider one of [ these|http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11030]. i own one for many years and found it to be very reliable.

also check out the bus-powered drives from [ OWC|http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire>.

J GG

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Answer 2

No Alibi

Level 2

410 points

Feb 8, 2011 5:25 PM in response to Dave Dahle

Dave,

To move very small amounts of data from one location to another, I have had success with a SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB USB 2.0 flash drive:
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Micro-Flash-SDCZ6-016G-A11/dp/B0018Z0PWY

You may want to compare the price per GB between a 16 GB USB flash drive and, for example, an OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro portable external drive:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go

I picked up a HP v125w 16GB flash drive as a means to portable backup of my files...

The following may repeat something you already know, but it is posted to help other readers:

Do not rely on a 16 GB flash drive as the only backup of one's files and operating system.

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Answer 3

Jack_V

Level 1

15 points

Feb 8, 2011 6:08 PM in response to Dave Dahle

If you dont require a thumb drive, I have been using the Seagate GoFlex for some months now.

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/external/external-hard-drive/

Most of the GoFlex drives are bus-powered, and have an upgradable controller (swap out a USB 2.0 for a 3.0 or FW800). I have had no issues with sleep or unavailability, and there also is a Pro version with a 7200 RPM drive, that mixed with FW800 is a nice transfer rate.

They are small-form factor drives, easily pocketable. I have a 500GB atm, formatted to exFat - I use it to transfer my work from office (PC) to home (Mac) daily.

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