IronKey Releases Windows 8 Certified Bootable Flash Drive 66
Lucas123 writes "IronKey has released a thumb drive certified to be used as a bootable Windows 8 device, enabling users to use Windows To Go — an enterprise feature of Windows 8 — to deliver a fully portable desktop. While Imation doesn't promote this feature, users can also boot up this USB on any Intel-based Apple computer. The flash drive has its drawbacks. It's not yet FIPS certified, it can't be provisioned as storage, and it lacks admin management features. The IronKey Workspace drive comes in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. It offers either 128-bit or 256-bit full disk encryption. Users must purchase the Windows 8 software separately. According to Imation's specifications, the IronKey Workspace has a maximum average read speed of 300MB/sec. and an average write speed of 100MB/sec. to 200MB/sec. When I timed the boot-up times, the initial boot-up from the USB drive was slow — 3 minutes and 40 seconds — but the drive was configuring itself. Subsequent boot-ups took a mere 35 seconds. Shutdown is near instantaneous — about 2 seconds. The flash drive is priced from $129 to $389 depending on capacity."
What a non-story (Score:5, Funny)
So they made a USB 3.0 flash drive that has a decent amount of space on it, priced it at a multiple more than the competition, and that's it? It doesn't even come with Windows 8, which is the purpose of buying this product. Great story brought to you by /., now advertising products that many will never, ever need (or want)!
A 'Downgrade' USB Stick? (Score:2, Funny)
Why would you downgrade a computer that presumably has a functioning OS on it by plugging this stick into it and rebooting?
Re:What a non-story (Score:5, Funny)
It doesn't even come with Windows 8, which is the purpose of buying this product.
No, this device is designed to enable users "to use Windows To Go — an enterprise feature of Windows 8 — to deliver a fully portable desktop". Obviously this device has some sort of cable management and advanced transdimentional physics capabilities. Imagine it! You plug this device into your desktop... and it becomes portable!
finally! (Score:3, Funny)
An OS that can boot from a USB key! Amazing! Microsoft truly is a magical ccompany that their OS allows such amazing functionality. Meanwhile if you boot linsux on your computer most of the time it will be bricked. That is the difference between real software engineering skill and amateur hour.
Re:drawbacks for $129-$389? (Score:5, Funny)
Do they really think people are so stupid to spend $129 for a 32gb thumb drive? With drawbacks?
Why not? People buy Windows 8.
GNU/Linus had this for quite a while (Score:0, Funny)
Big fucking deal! GNU/Linux had the capabilities for years now and here is M$ using this new fandagled "Windoze to Go" feature and all of the sudden $lashdot is going gaga over it as well. It just goes to show that $lashdot is a paid shill for M$, much like Oprah Winfrey. Over at techrights.org, astroturfers and paid shills are not tolerated at all.
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Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
Friends do assist M$ addicted friends in committing suicide.