Review: 4GB iBall Cutility USB Flash Drive
iBall has introduced 4GB Cutility series of USB flash drives in market and is aggressively marketing it. I had got this drive for my personal use as I required a flash drive that could hold data comparable to a DVD.
So what is in the box?
- 4GB iBall Cutility USB Flash drive
- Driver CD with disk partition & password protection software
- Mini storage case
- Hand strap
Specifications 4GB iBall Cutility USB Flash Drive:
| Description | Specification |
| Dimensions | 43 x 17 x 4.6mm (L x W x H) |
| Interface | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1) |
| Data Read Speed | 14 MB/Sec (max) |
| Data Write Speed | 8 MB/Sec (max) |
| Data Retention | 10 years |
| LED Indication | Flashing - Reading or writing data |
| Weight | 3 gms approx |
Build Quality and Looks:
iBall Cutility series USB flash drives features fibre body, the quality of plastic looks cheap. If you happen to handle it little roughly you may end up damaging your flash drive; don’t get carried away by the advertisements they show on TV. The Cutility series flash drive is extremely compact and is extremely comfortable to carry in your pockets. I need not speak more about the size as the dimensions speak for themselves and take a look at the photograph below to have a look at the relative size of the drive. (click to enlarge)
Ease of Use:
The moment the drive is plugged into computer the OS detects it immediately, you need not do anything as the drive gets recognized as USB mass storage device in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista hence the drive is ready to use no need to install any special drivers except in the case of Windows 98. The drive comes bundled with a mini storage case and hand strap that can protect your flash drive from the environment which again is a well thought initiative from iBall.
Performance:
| Benchmark Parameter | Value |
| Transfer Rate | 14.7 MB/s |
| Access Time | 0.7 ms |
| Write Speed | 7.5 MB/s |
| Burst Rate | 14.7 MB/s |
The performance of the drive is quite satisfactory and is fast enough for day today use.
[eminimall products="flash drive"]
Price:
The drive retails for around INR 1,700 in Chennai and comes with 3 years warranty.
Pros:
- The drive is extremely portable and easy to carry
- Acceptable transfer rate and write speed which is quite fast for day today use.
- Comes with mini storage case and hand strap
- The drive is inexpensive and is worth buying for the price it retails in the market.
Cons:
- The build quality of drive is poor. You may need to handle it very carefully else you may end up damaging the drive. The Transcend USB flash drives offer better build quality when compared to this drive.
Conclusion / Verdict:
This drive is definitely worth buying if you can handle it with a little care; Transcend USB flash drives offer better build quality and similar performance for the same price. The biggest positive point about the drive is it’s size. I am quite satisfied with drive and its performance but I would suggest my readers to opt for Transcend drive as it offers better features when compared to this drive.
Check out the review of 2GB version at LifeRocks!2.0
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Nice review there..! I’ll suggest you to install U3 (http://www.u3.com) on that and you’ll fall in love with it!
[...] documents handy all the time. iBall has launched 4 GB cutility series of USB Flash drives and Shivaranjan has reviewed the USB drive and found it extremely good. He has provided the screen shots of the USB [...]
I too purchased a 2GB iBall drive recently. I havent used it yet. Nice review.
ReviewSaurus-
Thanks for the ping back.
Nirmal-
For how much did you get the 2GB flash drive.
I really couldnt get around to deciding what would be the best Flash Drive to buy.. What are your opinions on Kingston and imation?
Its a nice review.
The price tag is still high compared to a re-writtable DVD. Unless I get some features like playing music etc., (in my opinion) pen-drive is not that much worth to buy.
I can’t wait for them to make an 80 gig flash drive. That would be make very happy lol.
I got it through eBay and it cost me 775 for the 2GB one. I’m going to do a review of it.
[...] You can also check out the review of iBall 4GB drive at Shivaranjan’s Blog [...]
Nice review.
Srinivasa Ramanujam : I still think there is so much less hazzle with and UMS than an re-writtable DVD.
I am also in chennai and I want to by 4 gb iball flash drive.
Kindly tell me the address
How is the security featyre of the iball pen drive?
Is the Password protection secure?
I have used one of TechCom. it is good as the drive cannot be accessed w/o a password.It initially shows a 3 1/2 “floppy drive + a unreadale Drive which can be read after giving correct password.
How is the the same in iball drive?
Thanks