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It's an SSD trapped inside a little USB 3.0 body.

On June 15, Super Talent began shipping a device that looks like a standard USB stick on the outside, but is really an SSD on the inside thanks to a SandForce SF-1222 controller and four NAND devices (eight channels). Called the USB 3.0 Express RC8, this new external storage device includes an advanced multi-channel SSD architecture, virtual caching system and an advanced wear leveling algorithm – all crammed in a USB-stick form factor.

"Featuring an 8 channel architecture and virtual caching system, the USB 3.0 Express RC8 was built for speed," the company said. "True SSD performance comes from reading and writing to multiple flash channels simultaneously. The new RC8 has 8 such channels of flash, just like a full sized SSD. A full-sized SSD also includes a data cache to elevate “real world” performance and the RC8 is no different.  Now true SSD performance can be integrated into a portable device that is both small and convenient."

The flash drive measures 93.5 x 25 x 8 mm and is enclosed in sleek aluminum accented by a translucent blue plastic trim. It also requires no separate cable and is fully backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports, at USB 2.0 speeds. The SandForce SSD processor includes DuraClass and DuraWrite technology which enhances both flash durability and data integrity. The specs claim that the drive reaches read speeds up to 270 MB/s and write speeds up to 240 MB/s.

“Super Talent’s new RC8 blurs the line between flash drives and SSDs," said Super Talent’s Director of Product Marketing, Peter Carcione. "Now SSD reliability, performance and capacities can be had in a portable USB 3.0 flash drive."

Super Talent is now offering the USB 3.0 Express RC8 in 25 GB, 50 GB and 100 GB capacities. Prices aren't available as of this writing, but the 50 GB version is believed to retail for around $110 USD.