If you are buying a USB stick, it’s time to consider things like the type of chipset in use, its size, price and reliability, features you can get from various vendors etc. While there is no specific order or any other parameters which affect the purchase of this hardware, we have tried to provide some information on certain important aspects which buyers must be aware of while choosing a stick for their workstation.
1) The Chipset
The chipset inside your USB stick should be one of the most crucial parts when you decide of purchasing a USB stick. There are two types of chipsets which include microchips, such as ARM, Intel x86 etc., if you want to select the right chipset, go with the first type. Generally speaking these chipsets are more powerful but they come at a price as well. You can choose the chipset according to the budget you have. The chipset will determine how much you pay for the device. So if you are looking for an affordable USB stick option, look out for Arduino UNO or STIC chips. On the other hand, if you are going for a high-performance USB stick model then go for the next type of chipset, such as MCL NXP chips or AMD RDNA2 etc., because these chips are capable of providing additional capabilities.
2) Size
Another main part of the storage hardware, if you need a large amount of space on your computer then a USB stick might be best option for you because it comes in different sizes starting with 1 GB up to 32 GB. If the space is not enough for everything you need then you could always opt for micro USB drive or external hard disk drives as a secondary storage option. Also look out for the correct connector of the USB stick if you do not want to damage your expensive hardware or data by damaging it. It should be a plug-n-play thing, so don’t worry about finding a particular connector to place it.
3) Interface (Pt 1) &(Pt 2)
The interface part of the USB stick might also take care of selecting between Micro USB 1.0, M.2 or GbE depending upon your choice of CPU and motherboard. If you need that extra power then you need to look into that. Though we all know that you should avoid running multiple operating systems in the same machine. We suggest installing Windows only once and keeping other OS running separate times as per user requirements. This way you don’t have to face issues related to compatibility with those other apps and their drivers.
4) Processor and Memory
If you want to make full use of the RAM on your computer then you can choose any standard PCIe 3.0 motherboard. However in case you require using DDR5 memory then you’ll have to buy a PCI Express 4.0 system board for getting superior speed. For instance, NVIDIA GeForce GTX, GT630, GT480 systems all are pre-installed with 8 GB GDDR5, so you need not upgrade the interface of the motherboard and wait for new updates. But if you intend to run games and video editing software like Adobe Premiere you might not get adequate memory support and thus not able to perform demanding tasks. Similarly, many laptops come with limited memory slots. So look out for devices with sufficient memory.
5) Storage Speed
The USB ports can give you a lot of bandwidth which can help solve your storage problems. Most of manufacturers such as Gigabyte, Samsung offer a wide range of USB 5 and 6 ports and hence you could easily find a suitable board with good support to fulfill your needs.
6) Price
Another factor which affects the purchase of this gadget is the company’s reputation. Look for reputable brands where you can buy a USB stick. Some USB stands can even increase your computer’s performance due to its excellent quality; however, you should avoid buying brand names with lots of ads. Another factor that can affect the marketability of a vendor is their warranty period. Make sure that you go for a decent warranty and make sure that the seller is offering something useful that you need.
7) Warranty, Repair Time
There are few factors that affect the warranty of manufacturer. First of all, it decides whether the product will be available for a whole year. And, what is included in that time duration, whether to claim a repair or replacement. Apart from that you can check the specification of the seller to verify whether it has got any optional feature.
8) Functionality
Aspects like port selection, USB connectivity with other gadgets, processor speed, chipset selection, the resolution and resolution rate of the monitor, graphics strength, display type, sound output etc. all impacts the functioning of your laptop. So try to get them checked before purchase. You need to have options according to your usage. These are listed below in the table above:
Table-1.
The Bottom Line
If you are planning to purchase a USB stick then keep these points in mind. They will help you select the right product for your project. Hope you found some relevant stuff for your discussion.
