In general, how does a USB flash drive compare to a microSD card for boot and storage drive use?

[storm cosmos]

In the interest of transparency, I'm actually using this information for a non-HOAS related project (I already have a HOAS server running using an m.2 drive), but I know people here are likely to have useful knowledge on this matter and hopefully won't mind.

I know both are flash memory, and I know that microSD has the benefit of being internal (so not affecting clearance needs and very low risk of getting accidentally unplugged), but I don't know if there is anything particular about the MicroSD or USB specifications that make either a more robust solution against things like sudden power loss.

Specifically, I'm planning on installing Windows 11 ARM64 and using a RPi 4 8GB to create a custom "streaming stick" as an alternative to smart TV functionality. I already have most of the software functionality worked out.

United States, but I don't think that's relevant to the question.

[eager sapphire]

Short answer: terribly

Long answer: They're not designed for that and they really suck

Longer answer can be found in the post history of this server

[full crown]

Not that I support Walmart, but their Onn steaming sticks are like 20 bucks with a remote, might be a better option(unless you're just looking to tinker, then just disregard my statement 🙂 )

[storm cosmos]

The goal is to get away from proprietary systems. I made my own GUI, and have been working on configuring an air mouse remote to do everything I want it to. There's still a bit more work to do yet, but I'm happy with the way it's all going.

[storm cosmos]

Would you say it's worth it to instead get a cheap external SSD that connects via USB instead of using a microSD or flash drive? The case I have for the RPi isn't compatible with an m.2 hat.

Keeping in mind that this is for a streaming stick, not for HOAS. I don't want the storage to suddenly die, as that would be a PITA, but I don't really need 24/7 uptime for it.

[gray herald]

ssds in a usb enclosure are generally fine, as long as you have sufficient 5V power available; main concerns usually end up being cables getting loose/bumped.

for a streaming stick, you probably won't have much disk writing at all tho - other than updates and configuration, you could probably engineer it to be nearly read-only on the filesystem? If so, I'd consider an SD card from a reputable brand to be a decent choice.

[storm cosmos]

I already have one of these sitting around unused. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TQS634Y/140-3315008-9479356

If an SSD is really that much more recommended though, I could get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D14RH4BK

[gray herald]

might as well try the sd card (it's not a brand/model i'm familiar with; probably not a particularly high endurance card) and see how it goes. But the key thing for this type of application is that you want the software to work as an appliance - you should install it in such a way that you can quickly and easily rebuild it from an image or from scratch if/when something goes wrong, without worrying about having lost any data.

[storm cosmos]

Makes sense. I can make an image after setting it up and store that on my NAS for safe keeping.

Thanks. I guess I'll just go with the MicroSD card then.

[median carbon]

Not sure if there is a way to do this on Windows, but on my Linux installs on Raspberry Pinusing SD Cards, I always make sure that logs and other write heavy, ephemeral operations are on a RAM disk to reduce writes to the card. That helps reduce disk failures.