I've heard that one should avoid no-name flash drives because then they'll only last a couple of refreshes -- is that true? I was going to get one of the $10-ish 16G ones. Are there any brands I should avoid? Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Patriot, Crucial, Transcend, IPSG, Lexar, Sandisk, etc.? E.G., I was told to avoid anything like these.

I've got an 8GB corsair voyager on my keychain. No complaints.

I've had three or four Kinstons, they've held up ok so far.

The OCZ Ralley2 drives are some of the fastest flash drives I have used. But I believe the 16gb version is quite a bit more than $10. Depending on what you plan to use it for it might be worth the added cost. If you are going to just back up files then no worries on speed but if you will constantly be transferring files then the added speed will be well worth it.

I have a Sandisk 4GB and a Crucial 2GB, both have been perfectly fine.

Flash drives seem to be very hit or miss regardless of brand.

Corsair + Patriot + Sandisk, all have been good for me. I just use the maxim "of would I buy any other products from this company" when buying flash drives. Rules out OCZ really fast.

Corsair + Patriot + Sandisk, all have been good for me. I just use the maxim "of would I buy any other products from this company" when buying flash drives. Rules out OCZ really fast.

And Apple!

I have a Sandisk 4GB and a Crucial 2GB, both have been perfectly fine.

Flash drives seem to be very hit or miss regardless of brand.

x2

The worst experience I have had with a flash drive was a Sony. I have freebies (ones that vendors give away at presentations and such) that have lasted for years.

Devotion: An Extensive, Obsessive Performance Test Of... USB Keys?

I just use the maxim "of would I buy any other products from this company" when buying flash drives. Rules out OCZ really fast.

First of all, I'm not sure I agree with Maxim, whoever he is. I guess it depends on the device. I mean, if it's a memory-based device, then yeah, but if they also happen to make dishwashers that I wouldn't buy (because -- although I'm sure it's built well -- if it breaks, there's fewer people in the area who know how to fix it), doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a plasma tv from them.

That said, what product by OCZ were you thinking of?

I dunno, OCZ has put out some very decent memory kits in the past, notably a few DDR2 pairs that looked solid. Then again, nothing I wouldn't choose over G.Skill, Mushkin, etc...

I've been burned a couple of times in the past with buggy OCZ ram. Granted, I haven't tried them again since original DDR, but considering the success I have had with Corsair and Patriot DDR2, I have no desire to.

BTW, does Apple sell their own branded flash drive?