Related Sections: Computer Peripherals
ReadyBoost flash drive gives you extra RAM without sticking out
One of the coolest features of Windows Vista is ReadyBoost. It allows you to expand the memory on your computer by plugging in a flash drive; your computer will use that space as extra RAM, allowing you to use more programs at once. It's a cheap and easy way to juice up the performance of your computer.
The problem with this, at least on laptops, is that USB thumb drives stick out from your computer. This makes them awkward, and you're always worried about snapping them off while moving your laptop around. The Apacer ReadyBoost Flash Drive takes care of that problem by plugging into your laptop and then lying flat against it. It can rotate around, allowing you to choose the perfect orientation, getting your extra boost of memory without having to deal with a drive jutting out from the side of your computer. The largest, a 4-GB version, will set you back $84.
Product Page, via Everything USB
By trsim at 10:47 AM ON 09/06/07
While I think the idea of being able to expand your RAM like that so easily (and for what seems a pretty good deal) is a really great idea, I have to question the drive's rotating ability. I can see that breaking just as easily as one that sticks out. I had a retractable USB thumb drive before, and it broke within 3 days of use. Another concern I've got is that if you've got the drive standing up so as not to block other ports, well now you can't tilt your laptop further than 90 degrees. There's an interesting angle to look from. Unless you've got a monitor attached.
By michaeljm at 8:14 PM ON 09/06/07
I think this is genius. Now I'm going to wish all USB thumb drives, wireless mice, etc. worked like this!
Too many times have I had difficulty moving my laptop because of all the USB drives sticking out. Even taking the drives out can be difficult because they're crammed right next to eachother. I hope this catches on.
By BioTube at 1:14 AM ON 09/07/07
What people don't seem to realize is that using the flash drive as RAM will shorten its lifespan drastically. If you use it to any great extent, the drive could fail in as little as a few months. Besides, hard drives write faster than flash drives(though the latter read faster).
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BioTube:
What people don't seem to realize is that using the flash drive as RAM will shorten its lifespan drastically. If yo...More »