First it was floppy disks. Then CD-R’s. Nowadays, almost every computer user has (or should look into purchasing) a flash drive for their own personal use. Quite portable at just roughly 3 inches in size, these compact units are capable of storing hundreds of text and media files that can be loaded onto any computer with a compatible USB port.

Also referred to as thumb drives, memory sticks, or jumpdrives, these devices are priced based on their memory capacity, which typically ranges from 256 megabytes to 4 gigabytes (and even beyond that). Considering that the original floppy disk was capable of storing roughly 1.44 MB of data, the flash drives are no doubt a notable technological upgrade. Flash memory has been recognized for its light-weight, compact design that allows users to carry their files with them wherever they go.

It has been said that in the near future, notebook computers will utilize flash memory, which will make them significantly lighter in terms of weight. Flash drives are very affordable as well; consumers can usually find a unit starting at around $10.

Almost all retailers offer them in their stores, and given the recent advancements in technology there is no reason not to take advantage of this new innovation.