Verdict and Conclusion
Lexar has put out a product that does exactly what it says it can, I like that. The marketing says 45MB/s read and 20MB/s write and that’s what we get.
A bit of extra wiggle room would be nice, and it doesn’t quite manage those numbers in CheckFlash, but it’s close.
The drive looks a bit goofy, it has the smooth lines and colors of an iMac. Is this good? Is it bad? It’s distinctive in any case. Whether the color/style is right for you is up to you, not me.
The build quality is good, the drive doesn’t flex at all and the detents at the end of the slide mean business, this is good.
The price is mid range, Lexar wants $28 if you buy it directly from that. Far too much. Online retail for the drive averages $16, which isn’t a bad price for a 16GB USB3 drive.
A buck more does get you a faster 16GB Adata drive, though that drive lacks the retractable USB connector. Is loosing some speed worth the retractable connector? To me it is, your opinion may vary.
All told there are pros:
- Nicely designed retractable case.
- Fast, it does the 45MB/s read and 20MB/s write it says it will.
- $1/GB is a solid price for USB3 speed.
- Bright colors and a white top panel make it easy to find.
- No junk software included.
There are cons too:
- Adata makes a faster drive for almost the same price.
- If purple isn’t your color, tough, one color per size.
- If you want software with the drive, look elsewhere. (I don’t!)
All told it’s a solid drive, I give it an 8/10 rating. Higher performance (such as matching the S102) would do wonders for that score. As it stands, if it fits your needs this is a drive worth consideration.
SCORE
8/10
