Resolved USB thumb drive price range

Hi all,
I am looking for about a 16gb USB thumb drive and am puzzled at the range of prices. For example on one web page in OfficeMax the prices for 16gb range from $27.99 to $270.99. I only see two things that are distinctive on the more expensive ones:
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
- Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost

I do care about the ReadyBoost but do not care about encryption. Does the 'ReadyBoost ready' really mean anything? I notice that only a very few, and the most expensive ones, mention transfer speed. I would have thought that would be how all would be measured. I want to save money but do not want to end up with a drive that would not be able to do ReadyBoost justice.

Thanks very much,
Jim Lee

 

Forgot to add one more USB flash drive question.

What are the requirements for using USB 3.0? I understand that Windows does not supply drivers for this but I noticed that all the USB 3.0 adapters that I see seem to require PCI Express interfaces, which I do not have. The PCMCIA USB3.0 adapters do not mention any requirements and of course the PCI-Express is not involved.

Thanks again very much,
Jim Lee

 

I've seen a few PCI to USB 3.0 adapters. They're rather expensive and, I don't know how fast they are.

Newegg:

Koutech 2-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCI Card Model IO-PU230 - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815201041

StarTech 2 Port PCI SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Card Adapter Model PCIUSB3S2 - $51.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158275


Provantage:

StarTech.com 2 Port PCI USB 3.0 Card Adapter - USB 3.0 SUPERSPEED - $49.44
http://www.provantage.com/startech-pciusb3s2~7STR9249.htm

Addonics 2 Port USB 3.0 PCIE Controller - USB 3.0 SUPERSPEED - $43.38
http://www.provantage.com/addonics-ad2u3pci~7ADDO1H9.htm

 

I am going to wait on usb 3.0 until I can get a newer pc.

Thanks,
Jim Lee

 

You're welcome.