Pen USB vs SSD Comparison

USB Pen drive architecture

Main characteristics:

• doesn’t have a processor.

• so, it requires a mass storage software driver to manage operations:

  • file system → block device services → mount/read/write/delete virtual sectors.

  • identity/read/write/erase → flash memory.

• uses the CPU to:

  • calculate ECC.

  • bad block management.

  • wear leveling, ...

SSD architecture

Main characteristics:

• has its processor to manage operations:

  • wear leveling, bad blocks.

  • erasing cycle counts, sectors' initial location.

  • error checking code.

• so, it doesn’t require a software driver.

• SATA commands are emulated to guarantee compatibility.

• garbage collection only needs power to start operations.

  • a write blocker doesn’t stop this operation.

• repairing.

  • easy on HDD: you can replace controller cards and heads, ... and use the same platters.

  • easy on HDD: you can replace controller cards, heads, . . . and use the same platters.