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SanDisk Dual USB Drive Type-C Review: No-Hassle File Transfers for Apple's New MacBook

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Known for providing a variety of storage solutions for desktop and mobile devices, SanDisk continues its trend of easy-to-use storage devices supporting multiple connector standards with its new Dual USB Drive Type-C. Taking aim at the growing use of USB-C in the tech industry, the Dual USB Drive includes connectors for both USB-A 3.0 and USB-C that allow users to transfer files between a traditional USB-supporting computer and a machine like Apple's new 12-inch Retina MacBook that uses the new USB-C standard.

While similar to the company's iXpand Flash Drive line -- which pairs a USB connector with a Lightning connector for a more mobile-friendly storage solution -- the Dual USB Drive is definitely lighter and slimmer than the iXpand line. The new drive is actually part of the line of SanDisk's "Dual" USB Drives, the other two of which focus on a more Android compatible transfer process. Only coming in a 32GB option, the Dual USB Drive Type-C has plenty of storage for all kinds of files, from music and photos to documents and slideshows.

IMG_9042.jpg

I've spent the past week or so testing the Dual drive, but as with any other basic flash drive, it either works hassle-free or it doesn't. Thankfully, SanDisk's new USB-C supported solution is a breeze when it comes to data storage and transfer. The drive took essentially the entire contents of my new 12-inch MacBook and in a few seconds had successfully pasted copies of the files into its 32GB storage.


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Article Link: SanDisk Dual USB Drive Type-C Review: No-Hassle File Transfers for Apple's New MacBook
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/review/sandisk-dual-usb-type-c-flash-drive/
Glad to see more USB-C things creeping out of the woodwork. Hopefully soon we'll have enough in the market to get prices down a bit, and adoption rates up.
 
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"I've spent the past week or so testing the Dual drive, but as with any other basic flash drive, it either works hassle-free or it doesn't."

not a great selling point as i've really had no problems with sticks unless they simply die outright. are problems that common for many others?
 
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The svelte drive comes designed with a rotating cover that hides whichever connector is not currently in use, which will constantly leave one end of the drive open and vulnerable. It may not be a deal-breaker, but it's worth noting for those liking to keep their USB drives dust-free.
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Spot on review. The price is just ridiculous and exposing the unused interface just seems lame. I would much prefer that SanDisk release USB-C flash memory instead, and include USB-C to USB adapter.
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
Ugh. So many standards. Can we pick one and stick with it, please?

USB 3, Thunderbolt, USB C, Lightning... they all do the same freaking thing (data and power transfer)! Pick one and stick with it!
Click to expand...

Hopefully USB-C catches on quick, because the clock is ticking on when Apple will release the next generation rMBP. We all know Apple is going to push USB-C as much as possible, and the next redesigned rMBP is definitely only going to have 2 or 3 USB-C ports.
 
It's definitely a bit costly (especially since Costco has a deal right now for TWO 32GB USB 3.0 memory sticks (Lexar brand) for $19.95, but I want at least one stick that doesn't require me to dig out a dongle from my bag to use. So I bit the bullet and purchased one from Amazon. Supposedly free next-day shipping for us Prime members so I should have it tomorrow.
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
Ugh. So many standards. Can we pick one and stick with it, please?

USB 3, Thunderbolt, USB C, Lightning... they all do the same freaking thing (data and power transfer)! Pick one and stick with it!
Click to expand...

Thunderbolt and USB 3 are both part of the make up of USB Type-C, which does more than just power and data but also video. Consider Type-C to be what everything is converging into rather than looking at it like another standalone format. This time, things are really going the way they were meant to.
 
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ArtOfWarfare said:
Ugh. So many standards. Can we pick one and stick with it, please?

USB 3, Thunderbolt, USB C, Lightning... they all do the same freaking thing (data and power transfer)! Pick one and stick with it!
Click to expand...
USB-C is pretty much set to be the future now. All the speed/functionality of USB 3, Thunderbolt 3 will be using the same plug type (So that thunderbolt ports can double as USB-C ports) and lightning...well I doubt Apple will change that any time soon.
 
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MacRumors said:
Only coming in a 32GB option, the Dual USB Drive Type-C has plenty of storage for all kinds of files, from music and photos to documents and slideshows.
Click to expand...

I like these reviews, but it's this kind of statement early in an article that makes it read more like an ad than a review.


Truth: It will be too small for many people, and too big for others.

Ad: "We intelligently and altruistically picked only one size that will be perfect for you, no matter what you do!"
 
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It is probably important to understand this is simply one engineering solution to a widespread "problem". Others will come up with other solutions. Sandisk is very widely distributed and has near first to market status. That alone will make the product a viable business case.

You have a better idea, send it to Sandisk for production and distribution. The marginal effort is about a minimal as any company in the business.
 
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If it costs any more than regular USB drives, no thanks. I'll consider a standard "accepted" once everything for it is dirt-cheap. Already learned from all this FireWire nonsense not to go for anything else.
 
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This is a neat solution. It's just hit me that I'll need something like this for work if I take any files home. The office is not going to upgrade any machines for a long time, so it will be quite a while before any USB-C ports appear there. More than likely I will have a new home machine in the next 12 months, and that may well only have USB-C ports!
 
teslo said:
"I've spent the past week or so testing the Dual drive, but as with any other basic flash drive, it either works hassle-free or it doesn't."

not a great selling point as i've really had no problems with sticks unless they simply die outright. are problems that common for many others?
Click to expand...
Lot of flash drives for me in the past (not old ones, either) have just stopped working outright, not allowing me to install new files even though it was saying the drive was completely empty. I was alluding to problems similar to that.
 
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JustThinkin' said:
I like these reviews, but it's this kind of statement early in an article that makes it read more like an ad than a review.


Truth: It will be too small for many people, and too big for others.

Ad: "We intelligently and altruistically picked only one size that will be perfect for you, no matter what you do!"
Click to expand...
To be entirely honest, I had to scrape together every syllable to come up with a robust, interesting review about a product with so simple a use and barely any negatives. I didn't enjoy writing that sentence, either, but filler must be had. Thanks for reading!
 
planetmik said:
Is the drive lifting up the bottom of the MacBook when plugged in?
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Just tested this again to be sure, and it seems that there's a nub on the bottom of the drive that matches the slight height of the MacBook's own. Although the drive can be placed technically either way (thanks to USB-C's versatility), my Mac didn't raise at all with the drive in either placement, so not something you have to worry about.

(Just seeing the pic now and it does look like it's lifting it slightly, wish I woulda noticed that. Must be the angle and light shadows.)
 
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