What is the difference between memory stick and flash drive

Thumb drive vs flash drive: which is better? To help you make a wise choice, we will introduce them one by one and then explore the difference between flash drive and thumb drive. The flash drive is a data storage device that acts as a portable hard drive.

Compared with hard disks or compact disks, flash drives have better performance. The way to access flash drives is similar to the way to access hard disks. Flash drives are small and portable solid-state drives, which can be used as the replacement of CDs and HDDs. Once you plug the drive into your computer, the PC will detect it as removable device. Then, you can back up data from the computer to flash drive.

Hence, it has a long lifespan. Besides, it can store more data than floppy disks and optical disk with a faster speed. More importantly, the thumb drive can support all operating systems and BIOS. What is a thumb drive? This name mainly comes from its small size with a few inches in both width and length like a thumb finger. The thumb drive is also called USB thumb drive or pen drive.

The thumb drive stores data by using flash memory , which indicates that the data can be erased and reprogrammed easily to be used repeatedly. It is often used to store and transfer electronic data from one computer to another via the USB port. The industry standard plug-and-play interface on USB enables the computer to communicate with peripheral devices like mouse, keyboard, and printer, etc.

After reading the above content, you may have an overall understanding of thumb drive and flash drive. Thumb drive vs flash drive: which one should you pick?

This is not a simple alternative question. Instead, you should make a choice based on the analysis. First and foremost, both the thumb drive and flash drive are mobile data storage devices. The two items are small and convenient to carry out, which benefit you a lot. No matter a thumb drive or flash drive, you can store data with it after plugging it into the USB slot on the computer. In addition, you are allowed to edit, write or delete the files or folders on the drive after you access it on the PC.

Though here are some aspects of difference between flash drive and thumb drive, they still share some similarity. What is the different between a flash drive and a thumb drive? Well, the differences manifest on 4 aspects containing memory storage type, application, durability and meaning.

The memory storage types should be the most significant difference between flash drive and thumb drive. CF, a kind of high-speed, non-volatile, and magnetic read-and-write media, can carry all kinds of digital data.

An employee can copy a presentation into the flash drive and insert it into the office computer to do the presentation. Those are a few examples of using flash drives in daily life. A memory stick is a removable flash memory card developed by Sony in The company used memory sticks for various products including digital cameras, handy cams, and digital camcorders and Play Stations.

The main use of the memory stick is as a storage media for portable devices. The Sony digital compact camera uses a memory stick to store images. A user can copy the images stored in the Sony digital camera to a computer using a memory stick-capable memory card reader. They usually add this memory stick reader hardware to most of their electronic products such as digital cameras, digital music players, cellular phones, PlayStation Portable, etc.

There are variations in a memory stick. It has MB storage capacity. They are not real expensive either. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Like this: Like Loading Anna Anna began using PCs in She has worked at companies like Lenovo and Dell. Related Posts. In fact, flash drives are often given away in product promotions.

The physical durability of flash drives and memory sticks is a serious consideration. Flash drive designers intend for them to be in pockets, purses, backpacks and on key chains. You can step on the more durable models then kick them into a lake and they will still work. The weakest part of a flash drive is the USB connector, and most come with a cover to protect that.

Memory sticks are not so hearty. Memory sticks designers intend them to be enclosed and sheltered inside a camera or other device. Compatibility will most likely be the deciding factor for you.