About Flash Technology

Technology Overview   |   Things to Consider When Buying   |   Flash vs. Other Options

		Form factor Not all drives are alike - flash drives come in an amazing variety of form factors and styles. Look for a drive that fits your style, has the features that you want and most importantly, can withstand wear and tear. Find out if there are any extras included with the drive, such as software or accessories to make the drive easier to use and carry.
		Data protection Find out how the drive protects your digital content - both physically and virtually. Many drives have an external write protect switch to prevent accidental erasure, much like the tabs on video tapes and floppy disks. Many drives also include additional password protection or encryption software to prevent unauthorized access to your information. If security is an issue, make certain that you chose a drive that has the features you need to protect and safeguard your valuable content.
		Compatibility Find out if your computer has a USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port and find a compatible drive (USB 1.1 ports run a little slower than 2.0 ports). Most USB 2.0 drives work with USB 1.1 ports, but to reach maximum speed, use a USB 2.0 drive with a USB 2.0 port. Also, check to see that the drive is compatible with your computer's operating system (e.g. Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Macintosh) and if you need a driver to support it.
		Capacity Think about what you will be saving or transporting. Large presentations and videos take up a lot of space, while documents and photos take up less. Flash drives are available in capacities ranging from 32MB to up to 4GB and more. Find a drive, or drives, that suit both your current and future needs as your requirements for more capacity may grow. In terms of budget, as a general rule price increases with capacity.
		Software Look to see if security or productivity software is included with the drive to make your product easier to use. Imation offers a range of software utilities with features such as password protection, partitioning and formatting, synchronization and encryption to simplify the management of your information. Software updates are available online to help you ensure that you always have the most recent upgrade.