Pros
simple, does very well what it proclaims to do (measuring hence benchmarking) hence 4.5 stars with no real reservation on the output delivered. I am not a specialist at all. I just used the app to test SD cards.
Results can easily be saved.
I downloaded from publisher site & got no bloatware at all (this was mentioned by several other users). Also, I got latest version I suppose.
I supported spontaneously development through paypal. It is important.
Not directly related but in same vein, I would like to get an app (or a guide) which sow hardware limitations for such testing (so, I know the theoretical characteristics of a sd card written on it but results could be biased due to slow hardware used to test as I use 10 years old PC to test... I suppose it would require a published figure for a well-known & easily available sd card from easy to find manufacturer to be used as a reference base? In other words, how can we measure influence of the port speed used to test a SD card?
Cons
not obvious how to install / launch after unzip (simple though) due to apparent options not immediately clear (a readme text file would help)
not obvious at first sight how to use once launched but it can be figured out easily. I suppose the developer may not understand / accept at once why I made such remark because all is obvious to him, which is exactly the point I want to pass here.
So a very good app written by a smart technician who could go an extra mile putting himself/herself in the user's shoes - so some clear potential for (simple) progress on that side to make it a bit more user friendly for users often in a hurry. Surely less sexy to develop but somewhat valuable.
Pros
Gives presumably accurate info on how many hours a disk has been used.
Cons
I can't find any benchmarking actions in any menu, with any button, anywhere in this program.
Summary
Not sure why this is listed as benchmarking software, that function must've been removed because it's nowhere in the software anymore.
Pros
Can test any attached disk partition
Choice of number of tests to run for final test figure
Choice of size of file to test
Cons
Not initially obvious what to do to get the thing started, clicked 'All' eventually.
You have to have your wits about you to avoid installing the CandyLabs rubbish. However you are given the choice and always read what's on the panel. That way you get only what you want, namely CrystalMarkDisk.
Moral:- 'Read Before Clicking'
Pros
Although CNET has been known to include Spyware, the Open Candy spyware was included by the publisher.
Cons
The publisher includes Open Candy spyware. If you download from the publishers site you get the same spyware as the CNET Version
Summary
Stay Away from this software publisher!!!!
Read reply (1)
Reply by benopolis on November 16, 2013
OpenCandy is not spyware. It shows you an ad for some other legitimate software during CrystalDiskMark installation, and you have the option of installing or not installing the other software. That is all it does; it is not even installed on your system. You are unhelpfully spreading fear and confusion, not to mention lies. CNET should delete your review.
Pros
No idea, I uninstalled as soon as I saw what it did.
Cons
This software installs AVG spyware without asking or disclosing and also hijacks Chrome's (and tries with IE) start page.
Summary
Stay away.
Pros
It's a good program by itself.
Cons
Installs a malware called OpenCandy, which is often described as virus in many sources on the Internet. There's no way to choose to avoid it, as the EULA's for the main program and the virus are bundled in one and if you agree to accept the terms of one, you accept the virus installation automatically. Do not download it, download the portable version of CrystalDiskMark instead. It's free of infections and works fine.
Pros
Great application, small and to the point. Just like a tool should be.
Cons
Installer bundles the following when you install:
- Extensions that auto install and re-enable when removed
- Unwanted toolbars
- Popup generating adware requiring manual removal
- Search engine and homepage hijacker (Conduit)
Summary
I will never recommend use of these applications unless you can obtain an older version which is not bundled with such terribly invasive adware. Frankly, I never really trusted CNET downloads but this will cause me to recommend against using CNET when possible, and just downloading from the author's site or from another archive/mirror.
I will be checking all my other essential tools and making sure I have copies that don't have all this trash attached. I recommend anyone who uses small applications like this to keep a trusted copy backed up somewhere.
Pros
The application itself works fine and is simple. I used it to verify the read and write speeds of SDHC and SDXC cards. But beware...
Cons
A "entrusted search" toolbar is installed in the background and without permission; there is no opt-out step. It will take over your default search page as well, and did this in IE9 despite my having checked the option to prevent those very changes. After uninstalling the toolbar, the piece of crap is still in the list of search providers and will not allow a removal. Searching for a solution led me to the entrusted ourtoolbar website where they instruct you to reinstall the toolbar, reboot, and retry uninstallation. Unacceptable.
Summary
If I'd know the hassle the entrusted toolbar was going to cause, I would've downloaded one of the other disk benchmark apps. I would rather pay for software than have to put up with this crap. Would give it negative stars if I could.
Pros
I've used Crystal apps for many years... Unfortunately, it has been a long time and I forgot that the author provides clean and free versions of the apps as well as AD-INFECTED releases of his apps.. If you head to his site and view Downloads, you will see that he clearly indicates which ones have OpenCandy, the ADWare with this installer, and which ones don't...
Do not install using this installer - it will install OpenCandy, which will in turn hijack your browsers and install additional adware applications on your system... New install of Windows 8 - infected within 30 mins of boot because I wanted to test my SSD... I've now spent 30+ mins removing everything OpenCandy installed and am still scanning with Panda, MalwareByes and Avast to ensure that I've got it all - UGH!
So, again, head to the author's site and get one of his packages that doesn't have "OpenCandy" next to it - just don't use this unless you really like adware installed on your machine :P
Cons
COMES WITH OpenCandy ADWare!!!
Will hijack every browser on your machine and install adware on your system (located in 5 folders on my machine - intentionally placing in multiple places to reduce removal, if you ask me...)
Summary
Crystal* tools are great.. Generally do exactly what they say and do it well.. Unfortunately, author does release some installer packages (like the one linked here) that have OpenCandy AdWare with them... If you go to the author's site, you can download an alternative package that doesn't have OpenCandy and then you get a great utility without the mess..
Pros
You'll know how your spending the next half hour.. deleting adware.
Cons
It installs a bunch of adware, including iminent and more
Summary
Don't install this!!!
Please Wait
