As of September of 2023 the largest USB Flash drive that is commercially available comes from TEAMGROUP! The C231 Flash Drive offers massive storage and massive speed. When it comes to data storage, this drive is a game-changer and the somewhat affordable $190 price tag is not so bad either. TEAMGROUP’s C231 USB3.2 Gen2 Flash Drive may just be a marvel in the world of memory sticks.
TeamGroup C231 At A Glance
- USB3.2 Gen2 Flash Drive
- Lightning Rate of Transfer with R/W Speed Reaching 1,000MB/s
- 2TB Capacity That Punches Above Its Weight
- Easy Push-and-Slide Mechanism for Instant Use
Wait…haven’t there been other 2TB Flash Drives Before?
Yes. Most notably, the Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT was a 2TB USB flash drive that came out in 2017 at a then-whopping price of $1600-$2000 a unit. At that time it was the world’s largest capacity flash drive. Imagine storing 70 hours of 4K footage, on a tiny little USB drive. The drive was smaller than a portable hard drive and could fit in your pocket – but for $2k a lot of people might be hesitant to do that. Not surprisingly, this item was discontinued due to poor sales and low demand (most likely due to the price). And when you compare it to the C231 it’s hard not to look at the 90% discount in price.
Sure, Teamgroup’s model is coming out many years later but when a thumb drive costs north of $1500 it’s hard to put it in the class of a ‘consumer’ device.
TeamGroup’s 2TB Storage: A Behemoth in Your Pocket
At Computex 2023, Teamgroup pulled back the curtains to reveal their latest offering, the 2TB C231 USB flash drive. Poised to claim the throne of the most expansive memory stick in the market upon its release, it surpasses previous giants like Kingston’s 2TB DataTraveler Ultimate GT, which was phased out due to design limitations and a staggering $2,000 price tag.
High-End Performance at a Fraction of the Price
While the memory world was no stranger to the likes of 1TB flash drives, retailing at prices below $70 (such as Buffalo SSD-PUT1.0U3B and SSK), what sets the C231 apart is its unparalleled performance. Mirroring the efficiency of SSDs in a minuscule form, the C231 boasts of lightning-fast read and write speeds, touching the 1000MB/s mark, all thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connector.
Elegance and Utility: Design Details
Beyond its technical prowess, the C231 is a design marvel. The flash drive sports a sleek matte black metal exterior, adding a touch of sophistication to its look. The ingenious push-and-slide mechanism, eradicating the fuss of cap storage, simplifies data transfers. Plus, its design accommodating key rings and other accessories ensures that your data remains ever-accessible, making it a stylish yet handy companion on the move.
Budget-Friendly without Compromising Quality
The projected price tag for the C231 is a mere $190, translating to roughly £150, EUR177, or $AU291. This is a fraction, merely 10%, of what was once the asking price for the largest memory sticks in the market. Moreover, upcoming events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday might see even more lucrative deals, positioning the C231 as a potential top contender in flash drive buying guides everywhere.
Anticipation and Market Precautions
The release date for the C231 remains under wraps, but potential buyers can expect a generous three-year warranty upon purchase. It’s worth noting that while Teamgroup gears up to set new benchmarks, many established brands haven’t ventured into higher capacity drives, leading to a surge in counterfeit 1TB, 2TB, and even 4TB flash drives at enticingly low prices. Marketplaces such as Ebay, Alibaba, and Amazon have seen a spike in these dubious products. Hence, caution and informed choices are of the essence. Regardless of the storage size, backing up data, either cloud-based or via software, remains a smart move.
Wrapping Up: The Future of Flash Drives
With its groundbreaking 2TB storage, SSD-matching performance, and a user-friendly design, the C231 by Teamgroup promises to reshape the flash drive landscape. It serves as a beacon for those regularly juggling vast amounts of data. But, a word to the wise: always ensure the authenticity of your purchase, and prioritize regular backups to safeguard your invaluable data.
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.
