What is a USB flash drive?

A USB flash drive is a portable data storage device of reduced size that is connected to the computer via the common USB port. The data on USB flash drives is memorised on an internal flash memory, typically a NAND memory. The memory capacity of USB flash drives currently ranges from 64 MB to 64 GB. The protocol for the transfer of data from a computer to a flash drive is a standard known as the USB Mass Storage Protocol (speed 2.0). The writing speed depends on both the interface used and, above all, the type of flash memory used. Thanks to its reduced size, the absence of mobile mechanisms and the growing size of its internal memory, the flash drive is increasingly becoming the ideal tool for transporting and transmitting data, taking the place of CDs and DVDs.

Price fluctuations

The prices of flash memories change on a daily basis according to supply and demand, just like on the stock market. On one side there are the manufacturers (Samsung, Hynix, Intel, Toshiba, Micron), who have to maintain the right levels of supply to the market. On the demand side, meanwhile, many multinationals, such as Apple, Sony and Nokia, have the power to alter the prices of the memories through the stipulation of contracts that can absorb the majority of the chips on the market. The prices of USB flash drives therefore change in accordance with fluctuations in the price of flash memories, as the chip is the most costly component, accounting for 50-80% of the total. The fluctuations in memory chip prices can be constantly monitored by registering at the site http://www.dramexchange.com/ (and searching for the Flash Spot Price section)

Certifications

Maikii offers all necessary certification so you can use our products in total security. As further proof of our quality, we are certified by SGS, an international company based in Geneva and world leader in the area of inspection, verification, control and certification services.

COB chips

There are various different technologies on the USB market, including COB (Chip On Board) technology, which enables USB flash drive components to be assembled in as small a space as possible. This miniaturization process results in greater reading and writing speeds. As well as offering ‘technological’ improvements, the COB is also resistant to water and shock and, because of its reduced dimensions, also allows for a notable reduction in size of the USB flash drive.

Maikii's quality

Memory chips To guarantee the quality of its products, in each of its models Maikii offers branded memories produced by one of the five most important manufacturers: Samsung, Hynix, Toshiba, Micron and Intel. The high quality of these memory chips translates into the high true capacity of the UBS flash drive, as outlined in the table below:

Another key feature is the reading and writing speed of the chips, normally 3-6MB/s when writing and 12-16MB/s when reading. All branded chips are guaranteed by these multinationals, which ensure high quality standards and respect for all regulations in force. The use of these memory chips enables us to offer lifetime guarantees on all of our products, with the free replacement of faulty pieces.

Unbranded Chips

Also available on the market are so-called ‘White Chips’, or rather chips that are not produced by the aforementioned manufacturers but by smaller companies. The quality, lifetime and speed of these chips are inferior to those of branded products. Another important difference lies in the true capacity of the product, as outlined in the following table:

Being memories of inferior quality, Maikii guarantees them for 12 months. This type of memory costs less than a branded chip, although much depends on market availability at the time as, very often, being manufactured by smaller companies, such memories are only available in limited quantities.