13. SuperTalent ReadyBoost Flash Exelerator

For Windows Vista users, Flash ReadyBoost enables them to use up to 4 GB of Flash RAM in a suitably fast USB drive to extend the Windows cache, and to give system performance a little boost. But because external flash drives have their little ways of wandering off or getting forgotten, RAM vendor SuperTalent has come up with a dandy USB flash device that is not only ready to work as a ReadyBoost device all the time, but is also hard to separate from your PC (either by design or by accident). Instead of attaching to a standard Type-A USB connector, the SuperTalent Exelerator drive plugs into a standard nine-pin USB header inside the computer case, where it’s much more likely to stay put.

The SuperTalent Exelerator plugs right into an unused USB header on your motherboard to do its thing.

The Exelerator is offered with either vertical or horizontal connectors so that buyers can pick a format that fits their case interiors best. These devices come in 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB sizes (and remember, Microsoft recommends from 1.0 to 2.5 times physical RAM in a ReadyBoost cache, subject to the maximum 4 GB size of a ReadyBoost cache in Windows Vista). For most Vista users, a ReadyBoost cache of 2 GB or 4 GB should be just right for their needs.

The Exelerator models all use 166X Flash memory, with read speeds of up to 25 MB/s. Vista recognizes these devices just like other USB-attached Flash memory drives, and accepts their use for ReadyBoost cache. At prices from $25-$30 for the 2 GB models, and $50-60 for the 4 GB models, these devices make very nice add-ons for students and other computer users who’ve already upgraded their desktops to Vista.

Continue reading in Part 2 (23 Back to School Must Haves) of our 3 part series.

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