When it comes to what memory cards can offer consumers, the advantages are much greater than the disadvantages. These small devices are strong, durable, and secure, making them the number one choice for data storage. Even so, there are a few considerations when it comes time to buy an SDHC memory card, micro m2 memory card, or some other variation. Every type of storage device is made to provide a certain number of cycles, which are save and erase sessions. Over time as the cycles are used, the viability of the device begins to deteriorate. In most cases, a good quality memory stick will provide you with hundreds of thousands of save/erase cycles. However, the purpose for which the device is being used will have an effect on these numbers. As an example, if the memory card were being used for running a computer’s operating system or even software applications, you would see a decrease in the number of cycles.

Another drawback to USB memory is that the majority on the market today are not designed with a mechanism for write-protect. Without this option, the memory card is not a good solution when it comes to recovery or repair of a computer infected with a virus. The reason is that if the computer were contaminated, the same virus could be passed on to the card. Then, each time the card was used in a new computer, the virus would be passed along. Finally, while the compact size is a huge benefit in most cases, the small size also makes misplacement a problem. An easy solution would be to keep your memory stick on a lanyard or keychain for safekeeping.