Darksaber
01-02-2008, 12:17 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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/colors.jpg
From the manufacturer (http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AC71ZZZGH):
USB 2.0 certified, backward compatible with USB 1.1
Snap-on cap design, the cap does not loosen easily
The LED light relays operating status through the translucent casing.
Color: Blue/ Red/ Green
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packrear.jpg)
A-Data offers a lot of very unique flash devices, which are intended for specific real life applications. The Classic Series on the other hand is meant for budget minded users, who simply want a cheap storage medium to carry their data around. The packaging is very simple and is made of transparent plastic. The C701 can clearly be viewed in the front and the back does not hold any extra content. All you find on the rear is some text that mentions the features of the unit. If you look closely at the front, A-Data has used a sticker to cover a phrase: "Support Windows ReadyBoost". This means that the C701 does not meet the requirements set forth by Microsoft:
The capacity of the removable media must be at least 256 MB (250 after formatting)
Devices larger than 4 GB will have only 4 GB used for ReadyBoost
The device should have an access time of 1ms or less
The device must be capable of 2.5 MB/s read speeds for 4 KB random reads spread uniformly across the entire device and 1.75 MB/s write speeds for 512 KB random writes spread uniformly across the device
The device must have at least 235 MB of free space
NTFS, FAT16 and FAT32 are supported
The initial release of ReadyBoost supports one device
The recommended amount of memory to use for Windows ReadyBoost acceleration is one to three times the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed in your computer.
Some of these requirements are not dependent on the USB flash drive, so we can narrow it down to a <1 ms access time or the read speed with certain sizes.
[Page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/underside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/underside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/upside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/upside.jpg)
The C701 is part of the Classic series, which means it is just as large as other flash storage devices of that format. The body of the unit is semitransparent and A-Data has printed the company logo on the rear top of the device, while the underside is void of any labels. Once again, there is no apparent way to figure out the storage capacity.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/transparency_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/transparency.jpg)
Taking a closer look at the body, you can see the PCB and flash chip. This gives the C701 a modern look. The white end and cap help to underline the fact, that this is a USB flash device of the newest generation, but with the traditional layout.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/open_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/open.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/caponback_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/caponback.jpg)
The cap comes off very easy, maybe even to easy. You may end up loosing the cover if you are not careful. The fact that it can be placed on the back of the device helps a bit, but it does not hold very well on that end either. This is a wide spread problem with USB devices with such a traditional housing.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/ledon_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/ledon.jpg)
The LED is located in the rear of the midsection. Thanks to the semi transparent housing it shines right through. It lights up green whenever the C701 is accessed.
[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
A-Data Nobility N702 Flash Drive 4 GB
A-Data Sport S701 Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data Classic C701 Flash Drive 2 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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/hdtach.jpg
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/graph1.gif
The A-DATA Classic C701 manages a very respectable 19.2 MB/s of raw read performance. This places the drive dead in the middle of our chart. The C701 is intended for users looking for cheap and universal storage, so we did not expect a speed demon. Still you may notice the difference of over 10 MB/s, especially if you use the 16 GB variant to store large files.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/graph2.gif
The C701 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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/atto.jpg
ATTO confirms the read speeds we obtained with HD Tach. The write speed of just above 4.4 MB/s is not fast at all. This underlines the fact once more, that this is aimed at the budget user. This speed was obtained on a nForce 680i board. Even though A-Data says ReadyBoost is not supported, there seems to be no reason why the C701 is not ReadyBoost capable. Maybe A-Data just wanted to be on the safe side with this one or differentiate the part further from the other models offered.
[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 Classic series is available in capacities up to 16 GB. The 2 GB version should cost you around 10-15€
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Modern Looks
It actually supports ReadyBoost
For the budget user
Lifetime warranty
Green access LED
Available in three colors
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Write performance is a slow
Read performance average
Cap does not hold very well
Today's prices make for a difference of a mere few Dollars/Euros when compared to "high-end" flash storage devices
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.7</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Classic Series C701 is a no-frills flash storage device. It is clearly aimed at the budget user, who wants to get as much storage for as cheap as possible. The company offers it in form of the Classic series, but still manages to make the body of the C701 look quite modern. The semi-transparent casing, which is available in three colors, coupled with the white cap and end, looks quite nice. Another useful feature is the status LED. Price is the driving point of the Classic series, which - coupled with the lifetime warranty - should give you some bang for your buck. The only part you will have to worry about is the cap, which - even thourgh equipped with a clipping mechanism on the back - does not hold well on either end.
Nonetheless, with the competitive market and plummeting flash prices, one is hard pressed to choose the C701 if other models cost just a few Dollars or Euros more, but offer fast speed and more robust designs.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/budget.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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/colors.jpg
From the manufacturer (http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AC71ZZZGH):
USB 2.0 certified, backward compatible with USB 1.1
Snap-on cap design, the cap does not loosen easily
The LED light relays operating status through the translucent casing.
Color: Blue/ Red/ Green
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/packrear.jpg)
A-Data offers a lot of very unique flash devices, which are intended for specific real life applications. The Classic Series on the other hand is meant for budget minded users, who simply want a cheap storage medium to carry their data around. The packaging is very simple and is made of transparent plastic. The C701 can clearly be viewed in the front and the back does not hold any extra content. All you find on the rear is some text that mentions the features of the unit. If you look closely at the front, A-Data has used a sticker to cover a phrase: "Support Windows ReadyBoost". This means that the C701 does not meet the requirements set forth by Microsoft:
The capacity of the removable media must be at least 256 MB (250 after formatting)
Devices larger than 4 GB will have only 4 GB used for ReadyBoost
The device should have an access time of 1ms or less
The device must be capable of 2.5 MB/s read speeds for 4 KB random reads spread uniformly across the entire device and 1.75 MB/s write speeds for 512 KB random writes spread uniformly across the device
The device must have at least 235 MB of free space
NTFS, FAT16 and FAT32 are supported
The initial release of ReadyBoost supports one device
The recommended amount of memory to use for Windows ReadyBoost acceleration is one to three times the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed in your computer.
Some of these requirements are not dependent on the USB flash drive, so we can narrow it down to a <1 ms access time or the read speed with certain sizes.
[Page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/underside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/underside.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/upside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/upside.jpg)
The C701 is part of the Classic series, which means it is just as large as other flash storage devices of that format. The body of the unit is semitransparent and A-Data has printed the company logo on the rear top of the device, while the underside is void of any labels. Once again, there is no apparent way to figure out the storage capacity.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/transparency_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/transparency.jpg)
Taking a closer look at the body, you can see the PCB and flash chip. This gives the C701 a modern look. The white end and cap help to underline the fact, that this is a USB flash device of the newest generation, but with the traditional layout.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/open_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/open.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/caponback_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/caponback.jpg)
The cap comes off very easy, maybe even to easy. You may end up loosing the cover if you are not careful. The fact that it can be placed on the back of the device helps a bit, but it does not hold very well on that end either. This is a wide spread problem with USB devices with such a traditional housing.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/ledon_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/ledon.jpg)
The LED is located in the rear of the midsection. Thanks to the semi transparent housing it shines right through. It lights up green whenever the C701 is accessed.
[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
A-Data Nobility N702 Flash Drive 4 GB
A-Data Sport S701 Flash Drive 2 GB
A-Data Classic C701 Flash Drive 2 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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/hdtach.jpg
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/graph1.gif
The A-DATA Classic C701 manages a very respectable 19.2 MB/s of raw read performance. This places the drive dead in the middle of our chart. The C701 is intended for users looking for cheap and universal storage, so we did not expect a speed demon. Still you may notice the difference of over 10 MB/s, especially if you use the 16 GB variant to store large files.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/graph2.gif
The C701 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/Classic_Series_C701_2GB/images/atto.jpg
ATTO confirms the read speeds we obtained with HD Tach. The write speed of just above 4.4 MB/s is not fast at all. This underlines the fact once more, that this is aimed at the budget user. This speed was obtained on a nForce 680i board. Even though A-Data says ReadyBoost is not supported, there seems to be no reason why the C701 is not ReadyBoost capable. Maybe A-Data just wanted to be on the safe side with this one or differentiate the part further from the other models offered.
[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 Classic series is available in capacities up to 16 GB. The 2 GB version should cost you around 10-15€
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Modern Looks
It actually supports ReadyBoost
For the budget user
Lifetime warranty
Green access LED
Available in three colors
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Write performance is a slow
Read performance average
Cap does not hold very well
Today's prices make for a difference of a mere few Dollars/Euros when compared to "high-end" flash storage devices
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.7</th>
<td>
The A-DATA Classic Series C701 is a no-frills flash storage device. It is clearly aimed at the budget user, who wants to get as much storage for as cheap as possible. The company offers it in form of the Classic series, but still manages to make the body of the C701 look quite modern. The semi-transparent casing, which is available in three colors, coupled with the white cap and end, looks quite nice. Another useful feature is the status LED. Price is the driving point of the Classic series, which - coupled with the lifetime warranty - should give you some bang for your buck. The only part you will have to worry about is the cap, which - even thourgh equipped with a clipping mechanism on the back - does not hold well on either end.
Nonetheless, with the competitive market and plummeting flash prices, one is hard pressed to choose the C701 if other models cost just a few Dollars or Euros more, but offer fast speed and more robust designs.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/budget.gif</td></tr>
</table>