Stackable

17. November 2008 by David Peterson.

Here is a silly word that my vendor uses – stackable. What it means is will more than one USB flash memory device fit into the ports available at the same time? In other words can you stack them on top of each other?

This subject always comes up because my customers are looking for new unique designs to give to their prospects. For around $200 to $500 you can have a custom mold built. You would own that mold and no one else would be able to create the exact same unit.  Your cost per unit will probably be a little higher as well do to PMS colors but it would be quite a unique drive.

You could build a unit shaped like an orange or a golf ball. How about unit shaped like a guitar or a flower? Just look to nature for your ideas.  

The problem is all of the USB ports are typically side by side. On the laptop I’m using right now I have three ports in the back, one port on the side right next to a firewire connection, and two more USB ports on a tower that I use for additional monitors. That is 7 ports that are very handy.

However if you try to cram a uniquely shaped device into one of the ports available then you might render the others useless since you only have so much space.

I certainly like the opportunity to give my customers the ability to create custom shapes. I do pass on the ‘stack ability” issues to them right away. I caution them that in the electronic ad specialty business the trick is to get the customers to use the USB flash memory every day so they will be reminded of your company every day.

If you have created such a design that will not fit into the USB port easily or worse into your pocket easily then the USB drive may just end up in the drawer. At around $10/each you really need these units to be used - not sitting idle in a drawer.

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