 |
| Xporter Rage 32GB $74.99 Patriot www.patriotmemory.com |
That said, if speed isn�t critical for your needs, would you consider a higher performance USB 2.0 drive for only a few bucks more? Patriot�s Xporter Rage is the first quad-channel flash drive we�ve seen, using four flash chips instead of the usual two. Patriot indicates that this results in �vastly enhanced performance, particularly write speeds.�
Patriot�s claims may be a bit overzealous. ATTO and CrystalDisk both showed slightly faster read times for the dual-channel Xporter XT Boost (roughly 34 vs. 30.5MBps). For write times, though, the Rage delivers, averaging about 25MBps over the XT�s 17MBps. For a real-world, 2GB folder copy to the flash drives, the Rage completed in 2:22 (minutes:seconds) what the XT Boost did in 2:40�not quite what we�d call vastly enhanced, but still decent. Finally, while the XT scored 1399 in PCMark Vantage�s HD test suite, the Rage hit 1616.
We like the Rage�s compact size, but its flimsy-feeling design seems only halfbaked. The �rubber coating� is closer to rubber electroplating over plastic. The almost-clever, retracting sheath moves too easily, letting keys and whatnot in your pocket pull the cover back about halfway, exposing the USB tip. Patriot�s own Magnum and XT Boost sticks are both much more solid.
Bottom line: If you need better write speeds for only a few bucks more than a standard USB 2.0 drive, the Xporter Rage does well.
Specs: Capacity: 32GB; Interface: USB 2.0; Dimensions: 20.9 x 2.1 x 0.4 inches (HxWxD); Max. performance: 27MBps read, 25MBps write.
Source of Information : CPU Computer Power User November 2010
