Super Talent ST1 and ST2 USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

Super Talent Express 3.0 Flash Drives

The Super Talent Express 3.0 lineup features 10 different USB 3.0 Flash drives and that is more than any company that we are aware of. Super Talent has a USB 3.0 drive for everyone, with models ranging from basic USB drives, like the ST1 and ST2, up to innovative drives like the RAIDDrive and RC8 that have become the new standard for portable solid state drives. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 drives offer the consumer more bandwidth than that of the previous USB 2.0 standard to ensure faster data transfer rates. We all want faster speeds and USB 3.0 is the way to go.

The two drives we have to review today are the Super Talent Express 3.0 ST1 4GB and the Express 3.0 ST2 8GB. These two are the smallest capacity drives of their respective lineups. The ST1 ranges from 4GB-16GB, and the ST2 ranges from 8GB-32GB. The ST1 uses Super Talents ToggleMode DDR (double data rate) flash which claims 90MB/s read and 16MB/s write speeds. The ST2, however, uses a dual channel MLC flash, claiming 67MB/s read and 24MB/s write speeds.

Super Talent USB 3.0 Express ST1 Features:

• Capacity: 4GB 16GB
• Interface: USB 3.0
• OS Support: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX
• NAND Flash: DDR ONFi TLC
• Dimensions:

• ST1: 67.4 x 20.3 x 10.4 mm
• ST1-2: 58(70) x 19.4 x 13mm, ()=OPEN
• ST1-3: 19 x 61 x 11.6 mm

Data Integrity: 10 years

Seq. Read: 90 MB/s

Seq. Write: 16 MB/s

Error Correction: Built in ECC and bad block management

Humidity: 5% to ~98% RH

Operating Shock: 1500G

Operating Vibration: 16G

Operating Temp.: 0C to 70C

Warranty: 1 year

Super Talent USB 3.0 Express ST2 Features:

• Capacity: 8GB 32GB
• Interface: USB 3.0
• OS Support: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX
• NAND Flash: MLC
• Dimensions:
• 70.0 mm x 18.0 mm x 8.0 mm
• Data Integrity: 10 years
  
• Seq. Read: 67 MB/s
• Seq. Write: 24 MB/s
• Error Correction: Built in ECC and bad block management
• Humidity: 5% to ~98% RH
• Operating Shock: 1500G
• Operating Vibration: 16G
• Operating Temp.: 0C to 70C
• Warranty: 5 year

Taking a look at the packaging, we can see that both drives come in nearly identical packages. Aside from the orange bubble that lists the drives capacity, these look the exact same.

The back of both packages was identical, aside from the barcode sticker, and simply lists some features of the drives.

Once sliding or removing the cap from the drive, we can clearly see the signature blue connectors that let us know these are USB 3.0 drives. The ST1 is made of black and blue plastic, but is available in three different body styles all with the same inner parts for the same price (weve got the regular ST1). The ST2 has an aluminum shell, over top of some clear blue plastic bits that light up with the activity LED, giving this drive a sleek and professional look.

The cap of the ST2 fits securely on the back of the drive, but covers the lanyard hole which might cause problems if you choose to use one. The ST1 simply slides backward to reveal its connector, and does not cover its lanyard hole. Note that a lanyard is not provided with either drive, although the proper holes are there. Both drives have activity LEDs in the rear, however, the ST2s LED shines through the cap as well, if placed on the back of the drive.

The bottoms of both drives are nearly identical to the top, minus the drive names. Here you can see the lanyard hole for the ST1.