2007-02-13 11:30:45 · 10 answers · asked by Karolynne 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
USB flash drives are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface. They are typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable. Memory capacities for USB Flash Drives currently are sold from 32 megabytes up to 64 gigabytes. Capacity is limited only by current flash memory densities, although cost per megabyte may increase rapidly at higher capacities due to the expensive components. (USB Memory card readers are also available, whereby rather than being built-in, the memory is a removable Flash memory card housed in what is otherwise a regular USB flash drive, as described below.)
USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk. They are more compact, generally faster, hold more data, and are more reliable (due to their lack of moving parts) than floppy disks.
2007-02-13 11:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by numbat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USB drive is a flash drive or portal harddrive that hooks into a USB port just like an Ipod does.
USB flash drives are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface. They are typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable. As of November 2006, memory capacities for USB Flash Drives currently are sold from 32 megabytes up to 64 gigabytes [1]. Capacity is limited only by current flash memory densities, although cost per megabyte may increase rapidly at higher capacities due to the expensive components. (USB Memory card readers are also available, whereby rather than being built-in, the memory is a removable Flash memory card housed in what is otherwise a regular USB flash drive, as described below.)
USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk. They are more compact, generally faster, hold more data, and are more reliable (due to their lack of moving parts) than floppy disks. These types of drives use the USB mass storage standard, supported natively by modern operating systems such as Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, and Windows.
A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit board encased in a plastic or metal casing, making the drive sturdy enough to be carried about in a pocket, as a key fob, or on a lanyard. Only the USB connector protrudes from this protection, and is usually covered by a removable cap. Most flash drives use a standard type-A USB connection allowing them to be connected directly to a port on a personal computer.
To access the data stored in a flash drive, the drive must be connected to a computer, either by plugging it into a USB host controller built into the computer, or into a USB hub. Flash drives are coxs only when plugged into a USB connection and draw all necessary power from the supply provided by that connection. However, some flash drives, especially high-speed drives utilizing the USB 2.0 standard, may require more power than the limited amount provided by a bus-powered USB hub, such as those built into some computer keyboards or monitors. These drives will not work unless plugged directly into a host controller (i.e., the ports found on the computer itself) or a self-powered hub.
2007-02-13 19:40:24 · answer #2 · answered by c0mplicated_s0ul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
universal serial bus drive
you need to put more into your question so we know what you need the usb for they are used for everything now from cameras to gps to mp3 players to data storage i guess the easiest way to point it out to you is if you have a newer computer you should have one or 2 little squarish holes on the front thats you usb drive/port you plug the cord into that it might be on the back if it's an older computer but like 98% of computers already have them
so just search around for it
2007-02-13 19:33:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
refers to either an external hard drive attached using the USB interface (what most modern mice and printers use). It can also refer to a type of flash drive attached via USB
2007-02-13 19:33:45 · answer #4 · answered by wigginsray 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a thumb(or flash) drive or it could be an external hard drive. Both of which connect to the USB port of your computer.
2007-02-13 19:34:03 · answer #5 · answered by Sparky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a little drive on your computer (it looks like a rectangular opening). it can be used to use anything that has a usb plug (ex. usb bluetooth adapters, usb printers, usb mouse, usb flash storage device)
2007-02-13 19:34:59 · answer #6 · answered by ash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USB flash drives are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive
2007-02-13 19:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by IndianaHoosier 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the thing on the back of your computer where you can plug in your memory card, my slvr phone, & my ipod!
2007-02-13 19:38:41 · answer #8 · answered by ♥**Me**♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent link. Full explanation complete with graphics.
http://www.nrschools.org/USB_Flash_Drive.pdf
2007-02-13 19:36:00 · answer #9 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it a peipheral that lets u connect things to ure computer
2007-02-13 20:26:41 · answer #10 · answered by Bubbles KissyQuails 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋