USB Flash Drives are NAND-type flash memory, data storage devices. The ubiquitous DVD has been a commonly used storage device for a long time. It has constantly been upgraded to keep up with the need for greater speed and greater capacity.
DVD History
DVDs began to be popular in the late 1990s, as an advanced device, to counter the shortcomings of the then very popular CDs. The newly introduced DVDs claim to store 7 times the amount of data of a 700 MB CD. The first burnable DVD was introduced in 1997 by Pioneer. However, DVD-R was found wanting and soon companies introduced the DVD + RW. These discs are more advanced and can burn better. Computer users all over started using DVDs and at that point in time, it seemed to serve data storage needs.
DVD Shortfalls
Despite DVDs being extremely popular storage devices, they definitely have their drawbacks. They are not a very hardy storage medium and require special care and maintenance. Though advanced versions have more scratch space and can protect data better, they are not completely trustworthy. The bottom line with regard to any kind of disc is that they are at best a great temporary storage device. They have a definite shelf life and need to be changed at regular intervals.
USB Flash Drives
Flash Drives are integrated with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. They are small, lightweight, removable and re-writable. The very description of a flash drive shows that it has been designed keeping in mind the modern computer user. These flash drives come in a range of storage capacities from 32 MB to 64 GB.
A flash drive is made up of small printed circuit boards encased in either plastic or metal. This makes the flash drive fairly hardy and can be carried around easily. The flash drive has to be connected to a computer via a USB hub, to access data. While most flash drives draw power from the hub, some high-speed drives may require more power.
The Advantages of the USB Flash Drive
USB flash drives have gained popularity as solid, dependable storage devices. Most serious computer users choose flash drives as their preferred storage medium. Some of the main advantages the flash drive offers are:
The flash drive is designed in such a manner that it is almost impervious to scratches and dust, which makes it more durable than compact discs and floppy disks. Flash drives are also compatible with most modern computers and, therefore, can be used almost anywhere. In addition, they can be carried around easily because of their size. To top all the other advantages, the storage capacity that flash drives offer is extensive. This ensures that most commercial storage needs can be met.
The Disadvantages of the USB Flash Drive
Cost is probably the single most significant factor where DVDs score over flash drives. DVDs are inexpensive and affordable to the common man. Flash drives on the other hand are a little more expensive. Another disadvantage is that flash drives can sustain only a limited number of write and erase cycles. Thirdly, not all flash drives have write-protected mechanisms. The presence of write protection ensures that a device is suitable to repair virus-contaminated host computers.
Is it the End of DVDs?
It is probably too early to write an obituary for DVDs. They have been around for a long while and have served well. In fact, they proved to be fairly resilient and came in upgraded versions when the need arose. Also, for the common man who does not need to store great volumes of data and is not on the move, the DVD is still a fairly good investment. In fact, for common users who decide based on cost, the DVD is extremely accessible. These customers will not look at switching from DVDs to flash drives for a long time to come.
In the space of upwardly mobile computer users and all those who work with a lot of data, the DVD is already passé. For users who are on the move, need to carry voluminous files and want a hardy storage device, the flash drive is the perfect solution. Price is not a criterion for these users and so flash drives are the natural choice.
