Flash drives recommendations

I need to buy a flash drive, which manufacturer should I be looking at? I'll need one to prolly make a back up for my OS and another to install firmware, for my router IE rmerlin etc.

 

@breaktimeplayer I personally recommend microSD card + cheapish nano USB adapter, because they are very reusable. One can put a microSD card in most smartphones, tablets, mini-pcs, digital cameras (with SD adapter), laptops (either with USB adapter or with SD adapter, the latter can be flush), desktop computer, other devices - possibilities are endless. Card from any brand will do as long as it's at least class 10 and ain't fake.

 

Problem with this is that sometimes those things aren't bootable, whereas a standard thumb drive will be.

As long as you're buying a flash drive from a known brand (SanDisk, PNY, Samsung, etc) and from an authorized reseller, it doesn't really matter. I typically buy such things at a brick and mortar store because that way I know the product will be genuine. Best Buy is always running sales, and they'll also price match Amazon or Newegg.

 

@saturnotaku FWIW I have a number of different USB-microSD adapters, have yet to see one that isn't bootable. With USB flash drives one actually needs to read reviews before buying, some are ridiculously slow.

 

If you want to back-up your os from your notebook use an portable external hdd or make you own with an old 2.5" hdd and an $5 usb 3.0 caddy, to install an os get an usb 3.0 memory stick big enough to fit the image on try to get one with a write speed of 10mb/s or above.

John.

 

i have old desktop hdd, is that what your talking about?

 

I was talking about the 2.5" mobile hdd that you find in an notebook, An desktop hdd is 3.5" and will require a case that has an power supply while an 2.5" hdd gets it`s power from the usb port, you can buy a case/caddy for both but an 2.5" case/caddy is very cheap.

I bought 2 of the 2.5" case/caddys below, they took around 15-20 days to be delivered, you can buy and case/caddy from a local retailer if you need one sooner.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bla...ard-Drive-External-Enclosure/32716941230.html

John.

 

I understand , but i dont have an old notebook hdd

 

eBay is always your friend when it comes to used parts

 

Ask seller to post the smart data (if not shown) so you can check for (bad block, reallocated sectors) before you buy an used hdd.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.

John.