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Thread ID: 84930 2007-11-23 18:49:00 Is there a difference between... Myth (110) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
614382 2007-11-23 18:49:00 pen drive, usb key, memory stick, flash card?

If so, what is it, or are they just different terms for the same type of device?
Myth (110)
614383 2007-11-23 19:09:00 My understanding is the a Pen drive and usb key are the same thing.
A memory stick is a Sony product, to use only in Sony products.
And a flash card is different as well.
wmoore (6009)
614384 2007-11-23 19:12:00 A pen drive and USB key would be the same.

Theyre portable, and once you put them in a USB port, you'll see whats on them.

A memory stick (like the Sony ones) would be like an sd card / memory card, that you put in a camera / card reader.

So you would have to put them in something (like a card reader) to copy, and to see whats on it.

Dont know what a flash card is. Might be the same as a USB flash drive.

BUT, basically they do the same thing. Store data / photos.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
614385 2007-11-23 19:18:00 pen drive, usb key, memory stick, flash card?

If so, what is it, or are they just different terms for the same type of device?

The first 3 are all the same thing, although Sony have now claimed memory stick as their own, so it is not used as a generic term so much any more.
Flash cards are SD, XD, mini-SD etc. cards for digital cameras & everything else that needs a small flat card to store stuff on.
Greven (91)
614386 2007-11-23 19:23:00 pen drive, usb key, memory stick, flash card?

If so, what is it, or are they just different terms for the same type of device?

There is a difference.

For example have you ever put a USB key in your digital camera if you have a digital camera?

A memory stick usually refers to RAM but I have seen the term used elsewhere. RAM which you use in your computer does not hold information once you power off.

On the other hand a pen drive, usb key and flash card will keep data without power.

Flash cards usually go into cameras but I can format said cards and transfer data from like documents and take the card elsewhere. So long as the person I take the card to has a card reader then they can read it.

When travelling I will take the card out of my camera and get the likes of Kodak to transfer to CD. Back at the Motel or where I am staying I format the flash card(s) in the camera.
Sweep (90)
614387 2007-11-23 20:12:00 Sorry, the last term should have been flash drive (another term I have seen) Myth (110)
614388 2007-11-23 21:01:00 a USB key, flash drive, and pen drive, would be the same thing.

Pen drive (en.wikipedia.org)

Memory stick (en.wikipedia.org)

Flash drive (en.wikipedia.org)
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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