This is a small benchmark of Transcend JetFlash 500 16GB vs SanDisk Cruzer 16GB USB 2.0 (2009-edition) memory sticks.

vs.

The memory sticks were tested using the dd tool, and the cache was cleared between each run by unmouting and removing the memory sticks.

SanDisk 16GB: 4.6 MB/s write.
SanDisk 16GB: 18.5 MB/s read.

Transcend JetFlash 500 16GB: 18.4 MB/s write
Transcend JetFlash 500 10GB: 34.1 MB/s read

As we can see the Transcend USB stick is 4 times faster writing, and 1.8 times faster reading than the SanDisk Cruzer.