I know it's common sense almost to ask why not just carry a portable hard drive instead?

1. They are most likely bigger. Even the smaller laptop hard drives (or maybe even smaller than that 1.8" I think) can't compare to the smaller size of the flash drive.

2. They have movable parts inside. This will probably have a higher chance of mechanical problems versus the flash drives where it's all non-mechanical parts inside.

3. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but maybe even speed. From what I read in the past, writing and reading from flash memory is really quick. I think the article I read was talking about the processor cache memory or even the RAM inside the computer. Compared to the hard drive, I'm not sure, but it should be quick enough. Otherwise, this is probably the only downside or having the flash drive over the portable hard drive.

4. It doesn't make you look cool LOL. Who can walk around these days and say I have a 64GB Flash Drive It may make you sound like a uber geek, but hey you have the storage

I'm sure these things have some kind of warranty or insurance in case they fail. There has to be a new method invented to replace the USB contacts on these flash drives. I have seen some where the gold contacts wear off over time after a lot of usage. The only way around this for now is probably using one of those USB extension cords and just use the other end to plug and unplug to the computer. Much easier to replace a usb cable than the flash drive itself

I am looking for flash drives for game consoles... I will just flip if they somehow already do it... I mean not just like doing memory cards, but flash drives could hold ANYTHING! Creating concepts should go from console to drive to the internet... update cool options, back to drive... back to concole, and back to game play... And then again... they still could do that....

I should probably see what gaming online is like from my PS2...

Flash drives are going both ways on price, I guess... But like if you get a GIG drive for like 100, then your little brother gets one many months later for like 5.99.... wouldn't people just want to wait A LITTLE longe til the 64s go down to like 1000!!?? hahahaha maybe only I got the joke.

Sell your used VW Beetle in for a flashdrive!

Ok, I think I overdid the forums this evening... time to shutdown!

Gone in a flash!
- bob -

I guess it's not so much for companies, because their tape drives, blade systems, and multiple raid arrays make it a bit silly to stick everything on a tiny flash drives. I think it's more of a geek toy for now, and floating it on the market to see how it fares, after which we'll start seeing it in phones, PDAs, and MP3 players. I would love to have an MP3 player with that capacity.... I've got a 20GB creative now, but it's a hard drive model, so no shocks or shaking, if you want it to keep working.