Both Lexar and SanDisk introduced USB flash drives at CES that are compatible with Microsoft Windows ReadyBoost, a useful feature in all versions of the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system that allows Vista to take advantage of additional memory on a USB flash drive to improve performance.
Windows ReadyBoost works by using external memory--on a flash drive or flash memory card--to cache oft-used data (a predictive algorithmic process dubbed Windows SuperFetch). Upon inserting a drive, Vista prompts users for how much space should be allotted to ReadyBoost.
Lexar upgraded its JumpDrive Mercury to include the company's PowerToGo software, powered by Ceedo (and formerly an extra-cost option), as well as Lexar's Secure II software for file encryption.
The 1GB and 2GB drives are also enhanced for speed, carrying speed ratings so the drive can provide higher performance and meet the specs for supporting ReadyBoost. Unique to the drive is Lexar's capacity meter, which gauges how much space is occupied on your drive.
SanDisk is being even more aggressive with its Windows ReadyBoost support. Some USB flash drives, 1GB and greater that ship after mid-February will be compatible with Windows ReadyBoost. The company says some of its flash memory cards due later this year will also support ReadyBoost.
In order to help consumers figure out which flash drives and cards qualify for Windows ReadyBoost, SanDisk most existing drives and cards are not ReadyBoost-compatible. SanDisk says it will add an "Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost" message its packaging.
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