Darksaber
01-02-2008, 12:12 PM
[page=Introduction & Packaging]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/PD16_Flash_Drive/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank A-DATA (http://www.adata.com) for supplying the review sample. The company produces some very unique and useful memory products, ranging from a complete offering of notebook and desktop memory over memory cards in various shapes, sizes and speeds to USB storage in many flavors. A-DATA also has licenses to produce such memory devices with themes of Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney.
We have the pleasure to review the Nobility N702 today. It is available in three different colors:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/colors.jpg
From the manufacturer (http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AN72ZZZSV):
Decoration accessory - necklace x 1
Decoration accessory - key chain x 1
COB process for PCBA
Convenient USB rotary connector
Support Windows ReadyBoost
Support USB 2.0, backward compatible with USB 1.1
Dazzling metallic luster
Decoration accessory for necklace and key chain
Dimension: 41.85x16.2x 8.15mm(LxWxH)
Weight: 6g
Color: Silver/ Red/ Blue
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packrear.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packotherside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packotherside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packside.jpg)
A-Data packages the Nobility USB Flash Drive in a black box, which has a small window. Through this opening the N702 can be viewed. The rear lists all the features of the memory device, but you will not find any apparent sticker to let you know what capacity it has. Upon closer inspection, you will find this piece of information on the side of the black cardboard box. There are certainly better locations for such important information.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packopen_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packopen.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packinner_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packinner.jpg)
To gain access to the device you need to pull the inner box out and then take off the clear pastic cover.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/manual_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/manual.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/cables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/cables.jpg)
Inside the box you will also find a small manual, which let's you know how to extend the USB connector and how to apply the included ribbons. There are two of these strings inside the box, one is intended to be used as a keychain, while the other should be applied if you choose to wear the N702 as a necklace. That would certainly be a very unique way of carrying your storage device around.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/stick_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/stick.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/adatalogo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/adatalogo.jpg)
The Nobility N702 has a metal casing. It is not completely straight, but has diagonal folds which does give it that jewelry look. The black part is made of plastic and A-Data has chosen to print the company logo on the side, so it does not disturb the overall look of the device.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/opening_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/opening.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/open_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/open.jpg)
To extend the USB connector, you simply twist the black part of the flash drive 180 degrees. The connector itself is missing the metal enclosure, so you may plug it into your USB port upside down. Even if you do, that does not harm the N702 or the plug on your computer.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/usbwithband_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/usbwithband.jpg)
The two strings can easily be attached by sliding the metal ends into the groves of the black plastic part. Both hold quite well and seem to be sturdy enough. So you will not have to worry about them ripping apart.
[page=Performance]
Performance
We used the following devices for our comparison:
A-Data Football Disk 512 MB
A-Data MyFlash PD7 1 GB
A-Data PD17 Flash Drive 1 GB
A-Data PD18 Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data Pirates Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data RB19 Flash Drive 1 GB
ATP ToughDrive Mini 2 GB
ATP ToughDrive 2 GB
Corsair Flash Voyager 512 MB
Generic Stick USB 1.1 256 MB
OCZ Mini Kart 1 GB
OCZ Rally 1 GB
OCZ ATV Turbo 4 GB
OCZ Roadster 1 GB
PQI Intelligent Drive i810 1 GB
PQI Travelling Disk i221 1 GB
Sandisk Cruzer Micro 2 GB
Sandisk Cruzer Titanium 512 MB
Super DH Series 200x 1 GB
Super Talent RBST 1 GB
Thermaltake MUSE external HDD enclosure
Verbatim Store'n'Go Pro 2 GB
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/hdtach.jpg
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/graph1.gif
The A-DATA Nobility N702 manages just abover 20.2 MB/s of raw read performance. This places the drive right in the bulk of our chart, which translates into average perfomance. Nonetheless, this is not a dissapointement, as the drive is not intended to be blazing fast, but to look good.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/graph2.gif
The N702 shines when it comes to access times. The drive manages 0.6 ms, which is well below the needed 1.0 ms required for Windows Vista ReadyBoost.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/atto.jpg
ATTO confirms the read speeds we obtained with HD Tach. The write speed of around 8 MB/s is nothing out of the ordinary as well. This speed was obtained on a nForce 680i board.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Nobility is available in capacities up to 8 GB. The 4 GB version should cost you around 25-30€, while the 8 GB variant should have a price tag of around 50€
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Small
Very light
Supports Vista ReadyBoost
Metal casing
Can be used as a necklace or key chain
Good read performance for such a size
Lifetime warranty
Available in three colors
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Write performance is a bit slow
The USB connector mechanism feels a bit fragile
No activity indicator LED
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.2</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Nobility N702 is another very unique and well designed product. The fact that you may wear the memory device as a necklace is quite out of the ordinary. If you would never want to wear it, just use the shorter string and make it the essencial part of your key chain. A-Data offers the N702 in three colors, so you have a bit of choice as well. The device may not break any performance records, but it does not dissappoint either with a very solid 20.2 MB/s read performance. Even with the small size and light weight, it is also Windows ReadyBoost capable with an access time of 0.6 ms. The only feature we keep missing with A-Data's unique flash drives is an activity LED, as you will not know if a read or write operation has finished unless you take a look at your screen.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/PD16_Flash_Drive/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank A-DATA (http://www.adata.com) for supplying the review sample. The company produces some very unique and useful memory products, ranging from a complete offering of notebook and desktop memory over memory cards in various shapes, sizes and speeds to USB storage in many flavors. A-DATA also has licenses to produce such memory devices with themes of Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney.
We have the pleasure to review the Nobility N702 today. It is available in three different colors:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/colors.jpg
From the manufacturer (http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AN72ZZZSV):
Decoration accessory - necklace x 1
Decoration accessory - key chain x 1
COB process for PCBA
Convenient USB rotary connector
Support Windows ReadyBoost
Support USB 2.0, backward compatible with USB 1.1
Dazzling metallic luster
Decoration accessory for necklace and key chain
Dimension: 41.85x16.2x 8.15mm(LxWxH)
Weight: 6g
Color: Silver/ Red/ Blue
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packrear.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packotherside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packotherside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packside.jpg)
A-Data packages the Nobility USB Flash Drive in a black box, which has a small window. Through this opening the N702 can be viewed. The rear lists all the features of the memory device, but you will not find any apparent sticker to let you know what capacity it has. Upon closer inspection, you will find this piece of information on the side of the black cardboard box. There are certainly better locations for such important information.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packopen_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packopen.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packinner_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/packinner.jpg)
To gain access to the device you need to pull the inner box out and then take off the clear pastic cover.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/manual_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/manual.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/cables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/cables.jpg)
Inside the box you will also find a small manual, which let's you know how to extend the USB connector and how to apply the included ribbons. There are two of these strings inside the box, one is intended to be used as a keychain, while the other should be applied if you choose to wear the N702 as a necklace. That would certainly be a very unique way of carrying your storage device around.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/stick_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/stick.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/adatalogo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/adatalogo.jpg)
The Nobility N702 has a metal casing. It is not completely straight, but has diagonal folds which does give it that jewelry look. The black part is made of plastic and A-Data has chosen to print the company logo on the side, so it does not disturb the overall look of the device.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/opening_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/opening.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/open_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/open.jpg)
To extend the USB connector, you simply twist the black part of the flash drive 180 degrees. The connector itself is missing the metal enclosure, so you may plug it into your USB port upside down. Even if you do, that does not harm the N702 or the plug on your computer.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/usbwithband_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/usbwithband.jpg)
The two strings can easily be attached by sliding the metal ends into the groves of the black plastic part. Both hold quite well and seem to be sturdy enough. So you will not have to worry about them ripping apart.
[page=Performance]
Performance
We used the following devices for our comparison:
A-Data Football Disk 512 MB
A-Data MyFlash PD7 1 GB
A-Data PD17 Flash Drive 1 GB
A-Data PD18 Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data Pirates Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data RB19 Flash Drive 1 GB
ATP ToughDrive Mini 2 GB
ATP ToughDrive 2 GB
Corsair Flash Voyager 512 MB
Generic Stick USB 1.1 256 MB
OCZ Mini Kart 1 GB
OCZ Rally 1 GB
OCZ ATV Turbo 4 GB
OCZ Roadster 1 GB
PQI Intelligent Drive i810 1 GB
PQI Travelling Disk i221 1 GB
Sandisk Cruzer Micro 2 GB
Sandisk Cruzer Titanium 512 MB
Super DH Series 200x 1 GB
Super Talent RBST 1 GB
Thermaltake MUSE external HDD enclosure
Verbatim Store'n'Go Pro 2 GB
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/hdtach.jpg
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/graph1.gif
The A-DATA Nobility N702 manages just abover 20.2 MB/s of raw read performance. This places the drive right in the bulk of our chart, which translates into average perfomance. Nonetheless, this is not a dissapointement, as the drive is not intended to be blazing fast, but to look good.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/graph2.gif
The N702 shines when it comes to access times. The drive manages 0.6 ms, which is well below the needed 1.0 ms required for Windows Vista ReadyBoost.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Nobility_Series_N702_4GB/images/atto.jpg
ATTO confirms the read speeds we obtained with HD Tach. The write speed of around 8 MB/s is nothing out of the ordinary as well. This speed was obtained on a nForce 680i board.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Nobility is available in capacities up to 8 GB. The 4 GB version should cost you around 25-30€, while the 8 GB variant should have a price tag of around 50€
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Small
Very light
Supports Vista ReadyBoost
Metal casing
Can be used as a necklace or key chain
Good read performance for such a size
Lifetime warranty
Available in three colors
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Write performance is a bit slow
The USB connector mechanism feels a bit fragile
No activity indicator LED
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.2</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Nobility N702 is another very unique and well designed product. The fact that you may wear the memory device as a necklace is quite out of the ordinary. If you would never want to wear it, just use the shorter string and make it the essencial part of your key chain. A-Data offers the N702 in three colors, so you have a bit of choice as well. The device may not break any performance records, but it does not dissappoint either with a very solid 20.2 MB/s read performance. Even with the small size and light weight, it is also Windows ReadyBoost capable with an access time of 0.6 ms. The only feature we keep missing with A-Data's unique flash drives is an activity LED, as you will not know if a read or write operation has finished unless you take a look at your screen.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>