ADATA's Asus Eee Edition 16 GB SDHC Card

[Chris Gohlke]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1216089779.usr1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>In case you're new here, I love my <a href="http://eeepc.asus.com/global/" target="_blank">Asus Eee PC</a>. Of course, what would make it better? More memory of course! If you are not familiar with ADATA, you really should be. They may not be a recognizable name brand like Sandisk, but they produce memory cards that are an outstanding value for the consumer. Their <a href="http://www.adata-group.com/EN/product_show.php?ProductNo=ASD2CL6WH" target="_blank">16 GB SDHC Eee branded card</a> looks to be no exception. <MORE /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1216169918.usr10.jpg" border="1" /><br /><em>Figure 1: One of these things is not like the other...</em><br /><br />This is the third ADATA card I've owned (I also have the 4 GB and 8 GB models) and my main product criteria was storage size. The internal memory on my Eee is enough space for the OS and the non-media related files I need, but falls short once you want to start carrying around music and movies. I <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/89403/western-digital-passport-vs-buffalo-ministation-fight.html">recently looked at external hard drives</a> as one solution to this issue, but sometimes you just don't want to carry anything extra or have to whip out external peripherals on a plane. This is where a really large SD card really shines.<br /><br />Normally, I'd knock the branding as just a gimmick that ends up just upping the final price of the card, but in this case I'm not going to. Seems that the Eee branded card actually goes for a couple bucks less than the non-Eee branded one at Newegg. So, more power to them for getting a branding agreement that might make some customers more comfortable purchasing this product and introducing them to the brand. However, just because it is branded for the Asus Eee, it does not mean you can't use it in other devices, after all it is a normal SDHC card. It worked fine in every SDHC device I had (unfortunately my Canon S2 IS isn't SDHC compatible). So in addition to the Eee, this card would be a great companion to your digital camera/video camera.<br /><br />The card only comes in white (to match the original Eee), but really, I could care less if it matches or not. If it really bothers you, a black Sharpie will solve your problem. The card was recognized and worked flawlessly when stuffed full of music and movies. <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1216169798.usr10.jpg" border="1" /><br /><em>Figure 2: Where did I put that black Sharpie?</em></p><p>Finally, no review would be complete without a speed test. For those of you that love the crunchy bits, here are my test results from <a href="http://www.sisoftware.net/" target="_blank">SiSoftware's Sandra</a>:</p><ul><li>512bytes Files Test Read Performance : 265.84kB/s Write Performance : 12.48kB/s</li><li>32kB Files Test Read Performance : 8.78MB/s Write Performance : 789.87kB/s</li><li>256kB Files Test Read Performance : 15.60MB/s Write Performance : 4.15MB/s</li><li>2MB Files Test Read Performance : 17.27MB/s Write Performance : 6.77MB/s</li><li>64MB Files Test Read Performance : 18.13MB/s Write Performance : 9.60MB/s</li><li>256MB Files Test Read Performance : 17.07MB/s Write Performance : 12.80MB/s</li></ul><p>These results were consistent with or exceded the results for the 4 and 8 GB ADATA Class 6 cards I already owned. So, in conclusion, this card is quite the bargain. It is the least expensive 16 GB SD card I could find and it comes in at less than half the price of similar offerings from Kingston and SanDisk. You can pick one up at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211300">Newegg for $49.99</a>. <em><br /><br />Chris Gohlke is a Contributing Editor for Digital Media Thoughts. He loves Sci-Fi and loves to get his hands on real-life tech gadgets. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, USA with his wife and three cats.</em></p>

[Jason Dunn]

Year after year, I'm amazed at how inexpensive Flash memory has become - 16 GB SD cards for $50? Sheesh. Flash memory is also reaching the point that hard drives reached a couple of years ago: they're offering more storage space than the average person knows what to do with (the exception here is people with Flash-based video cameras).

[Chris Gohlke]

This is where MP3 players will need to pick up the pace. It seems we are just breaking out of the 30 GB range after years of sitting here. My Zune 30 just seems lacking in size when holding a $50 16 GB card the size of a postage stamp. The Zune 80 is a step in the right direction, but I'm hoping the next refresh will include something like a 160 GB option, ideally in something more like the Touch.

[Jason Dunn]

The Zune 80 is a step in the right direction, but I'm hoping the next refresh will include something like a 160 GB option, ideally in something more like the Touch.

Right now the Zune's thickness makes them unable to use anything bigger than a 120 GB drive:

120GB Hard Drive for iPod/Zune (MK1231GAL): RapidRepair (http://www.rapidrepair.com/shop/3118-hard-drive-disk-mk1231gal.html)

One would hope they'll continue to learn to make the Zune thinner...

And I should add that I'm sure they could make a 96 GB Flash memory Zune, but it might cost $700. :D

[cuteseal]

I picked up a 16gb unbranded one for my eee recently - it's great. I'm wondering whether there's a performance difference or whether it's all just exterior...

[Chris Gohlke]

Would be fun for a head to head test.

[maxnix]

I've owned several Adata cards that worked well. But when I had one case split on me, they denied my claim outright and said it was not their fault.

So I'll never buy Adata again as they don't honor their warranty, and they do not most rudely.

If they were in this country I would pay them a visit and lecture them about the value of one's word.

[ajcend]

I plan to buy this SDHC Flash Memory Card soon. However, my only worry is it's longevity. Many times and many times again I've read on product reviews and other forums (such as the eeeuser.com forums) that this card dies with larger transfers and other problems in transfers. I plan on using this to carry all my files (documents, music, pictures, videos, and portable apps/programs) between my main laptop (Compaq Presario V6000) and Eee PC 701 (with windows XP). As it stands, my main laptop has a 250GB hard drive to which I only use 11% or 26GB (about 7GB are my own files with the exception of a few programs -the rest is the OS and other crap that comes preinstalled). Any way, before I purchase this it would be nice to know how long others have lasted, and if it's performance stands up to time (and more files added on). Thanks a lot!

By the way, I wanted to cheer when it was mentioned that it only comes in white and to take a black sharpie to it! I said the same thing to my friend.

[Jason Dunn]

Many times and many times again I've read on product reviews and other forums (such as the eeeuser.com forums) that this card dies with larger transfers and other problems in transfers.

Hmm - that sounds a bit fishy to me. Flash memory is quite reliable, so I'd be really surprised if this card flaked out like that. :confused:

[Chris Gohlke]

All three of my A-data cards are working fine. The oldest is almost 1 year old. My original 8 GB card died within a few weeks of my receiving it. I had purchased it through NewEgg, but went ahead and contacted both NewEgg and Adata for a replacement. NewEgg RMA'd it and shipped a replacement within an hour of my request. I got a similar offer from Adata's support people within 24 hours, but had already shipped it back to newegg. But this did give me some confidence that Adata would stand behind their product.

[jwb1969]

Any chance any of you guys tried it in a TyTn II aka, the AT&T Tilt? I think the Tilt should recognize it, it does my 8GB Micro SD.


TIA,
James

[Chris Gohlke]

Sorry, no. Don't have one or know anyone locally with one.