Difference between Flash drive and Pen drive

A flash drive and pen drive are quite similar and they basically function equally, in any case. Many people are confused between these two terms. Many people even consider flash drives and pen drives as one. This comes from the fact that every pen drive is flash drive. However, it is imperative to note that flash drive has a function far beyond the ability of pen drives.

What is flash drive?

Flash drive, or flash drive or USB flash drive, is a flash memory device. USB flash drive uses USB interface to communicate with the computer. This is very practical because it does not require any additional drivers to function. USB flash drive includes a small printed circuit board with flash memory, enclosed with plastic case or metal case. Flash drive only works when plugged into a USB port and this port will power it. This means that this is the device used to store and transfer data via the USB interface. Flash memory indicates that the data on the device is stored or deleted. The development of this device began around 1998, 2000, when Trek patented a group of devices designed to store data.

1. The best USB flash drive models according to each criterion

In 2001, M-System patented a USB flash drive as well as applied it to reality. Initial data transfer rates are determined by USB0.9, USB1.0 and USB1.1, and their speeds range from 0.9Mbps to 12 Mbps. This is not enough for users, so in 2000, USB 2.0 was introduced at 480Mbps. USB 3.0 was designed in 2008, with data transfer capability of up to 5Gbps, while USB 3.1 (2013) is updated with 10Gbps super speed mode. As of March 2016, flash drives with 8 to 256GB capacity are sold the most, and flash drives with capacities larger than 512GB and 1TB are less common.

What is a pen drive?

A small electronic chip is used as a means of transferring and storing information from one computer to another computer called flash drive, while pen drive is a small drive used to exchange information between many systems. Pen drive was released in April 1999 by Amir Ban, Dov Moran and Oron Organ.

The name of this device comes from the fact that its shape looks quite like a pen. It can be used by any system with a USB port. It is much more useful than a floppy drive. Any type of record or information can easily be included in the pen drive. It is also quite popular because it allows data backup. Initially it had a storage limit of 8MB, which has been updated to 1TB in January 2013. In general, the pen drive is quite large and is used as a portable USB storage tool, in when flash drive has more data storage services.

Difference between flash drive and pen drive

1. Define flash drive and pen drive

Flash drive is a static electrical memory, without mechanical elements, in the form of a chip. Pen drive is a removable drive, including flash memory connected via USB port.

2. Flash drive usage and pen drive

Pen drives are only used for storing or transmitting data, while flash drives can be used for different purposes - both inside and outside the device.

3. Connect the flash drive and pen drive

Pen drive is always connected directly to the USB port. On the other hand, flash drive can be plugged into a direct or wired USB connection, can even be stored inside a mobile phone or mobile communication device.

Table comparing flash drives and pen drives

Flash drive Pen drive Mini USB drive is used to store or transfer data, using the USB interface. Portable pen drive includes flash drive. Designed by M systems in 1999, and a slightly smaller version of IBM has been developed. Invented by Phison, in 2001. Many uses. Portable USB storage tool.

Summary of the difference between flash drive and pen drive

USB flash drive is a small-scale hard drive, communicating with the computer using a USB port. Usually, the limit for a flash drive is from 8GB to 256GB (rarely up to 1TB). Larger drives must provide enough storage capacity for users to back up large amounts of data. These drives are relatively cheap (they are reusable), compact, durable, easy to use, compatible with both PC and Mac, do not require any additional software. The term flash drive includes a wide range of concepts - integrating any USB memory device or flash memory device and having many different practical applications.

On the other hand, pen drive is a type of flash drive. This is probably the most common USB drive (because it looks like a pen, at least in the way it is opened) with a certain capacity, and has a slot for a certain type of memory card, so It can also be used to increase capacity and read cards at the same time. It can be used by any system with a USB port.

See more:

1. Experience USB Flash Drive, the data manager for USB on Windows 10
2. Instructions for encrypting USB or memory cards with Bitlocker on Windows 10
3. Summary of some simple ways to disable USB ports on Windows computers