Buffalo drops 4GB USB drive

Having already joined the ranks of 8GB thumb drives, Buffalo has busted out a separate line of "entry-level" USB drives that top out at a mere 4GB. The RUF2-E series apparently don't have the same "UltraSpeed" transfer times of the higher-end RUF2-R series, and they've further differentiated them with a questionable clear bluish-purple casing. Prices start our reasonably at 2,000 Yen ($17 US) for the 128MB model, but you'll have to fork over a whopping 47,800 Yen (or $415 US) for the pleasure of being able to carry 4GB on a string.

[Via Digital World Tokyo]

[Loubear @ Jun 22nd 2006 1:47PM]

What the...? You can buy a 4gb sd card for about 85 dollars. Add on a cheap usb 2.0 reader, and you have a 4 gb, 100-dollar flash memory drive.

[Neil @ Jun 22nd 2006 1:53PM]

That price is crazy, I'd rather go buy a 4gb iPod Nano for $250 US. I'd get just as much storage and much more functionality.

[TC @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:07PM]

I've got a 4Gb U3 Cruzer Micro for £72 ($120). It looks the same size as this + the usb connector is retractable - There must be a reason this is so pricey, or am I missing something?

[Bobadillo @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:23PM]

No name manufacturer = crazy memory costs for them cause they don't make it themselves/have a cheapo deal like apple

[vroom171 @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:29PM]

Thats absolutely insane.

Everyone would rather purchase an iPod nano rather than that piece of trash.

[Nullmuse @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:13PM]

That article is ridiculous!! $415 for a 4GB drive??!!?? Yes, okay, maybe that company is charging that much for Flash Drives, but any reasonable supplier here in the US will charge between $150 - $300 for a comparable drive.

http://www.cdwg.com/shop/search/Results.aspx?key=4GB+Flash+drive&platform=all

[Dave Z. @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:18PM]

drops adds

[John Russell @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:23PM]

Why not just buy an iPod with a hard drive?
30 gigs in your pocket, and it plays music.

[Josh @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:37PM]

Since when is Buffalo a no-name manufacturer?

[Craig @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:39PM]

I cannot really see the point in such a big USB drive. If you lose it, you lose a lot. If it corrupts for one reason or another, you lose a lot. Then again, with Vista using USB drives as some sort of RAM this could give an amazing speed boost.

[Me @ Jun 22nd 2006 4:02PM]

So I guess you can see the point.


Am I the only one who finds the use of the verb "drops" in a headline describing a product release a bit precious? Considering that the more common usage means the exact opposite?

[diulei @ Jun 22nd 2006 4:14PM]

Yea...for that price I'd get a new DAP and Digicam. And keep my 1GB thumb drive I bought for $30. It's plenty.

[scott @ Jun 22nd 2006 4:55PM]

wait a sec, even my ass-backward CompUSA store (orem, utah) has sandisk 4gb flashdrives (with neato retractable plugs meaning no caps) for $199!!!

hey buffalo, you need to IMPROVE on the tech to be able to charge more...

[Annoyed by Language @ Jun 22nd 2006 5:03PM]

Why did they drop it so soon after introducing it?

[lilchippy @ Jun 22nd 2006 6:49PM]

DUDE!!! monster price!!! not cool!!!
i could get a 60 gig ipod for just 400 dollars!!!! less then that 4 gig usb drive...

[hehehhehe @ Jun 22nd 2006 7:46PM]

As stupid as this thing is (since any tech-savvy buyer will find the kind of better deals you guys are mentioning), some idiots will actually buy this thing, thinking it is the best thing since sliced bread.

[james @ Jun 22nd 2006 9:48PM]

DRRrrrrop! (beasty boys) I don't get this new lingo, "drop"? I'm used to the saying "Apple drops it's colorful iMacs from its line-up".

[jorellh @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:07AM]

Tatunka!

[Galley @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:58AM]

CompUSA is currently selling a 4GB SUB flash drive for $99.99 "out-the-door". WoW!
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=51307690&cm_ven=chth_em&cm_cat=em_062106&cm_pla=cusa_cc&cm_ite=51307890&cm_cmem=[e-mail]

[bob arctor @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:50PM]

My fav place for all things flash is SupermediaStore http://tinyurl.com/8ksft They are offering multiple 4 gig options for between $85 and $120. You can get an 8 gig flash drive for $199 and if you want to go hog wild they will sell you a 16 gig drive for $500. Looks like Buffalo need to work on their pricing a bit.