Why are memory sticks so big?

Caporegime
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12 Mar 2004
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I just opened up a 512mb memory stick pro duo and found that the chip is less than half the size of the container and would function perfectly well by itself, whats up with that, why have a big container around it when things are supposed to be getting smaller?
 
You can get really tiny ones. However, at some point they become so small that they're too easy to lose and they're too hard to hold in one's hand. I like the 3 inch long flash dive I have.
 
Most memory formats are intended to last for several years, and as such they make them to a size that works with the then current technology.

As time goes by the size of the actual memory modules shrinks as the capacity increases, which means that less of the PCB is used by the memory, but to keep them compatible they don't change the PCB size unless there is some other change (from DDR to DDR2 etc).

You can get 3 formats of SD flash memory now, but both the smaller versions (mini and micro) normally come with an adaptor to let them work in a normal SD slot.
There is also the requirement for some memory types (flash memory etc) to have protection.
 
maybe its just me being stupid but the standard ocuk flash drive readers( I seem to remember they are made by crucial) seem to be a little flaky

I have one which cannot be seen by two seperate fully working XP SP2 systems , admittedly for £10 you dont expect much but they just seem to be designed wrong - by crucial - to put in such a tiny "card" into the drive which also has no actual eject
 
Energize said:
I just opened up a 512mb memory stick pro duo and found that the chip is less than half the size of the container and would function perfectly well by itself, whats up with that, why have a big container around it when things are supposed to be getting smaller?
thats why sony have just released a new memory stick M2 which is half the size of a duo
 
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