SanDisk Cruzer® Micro (512 MB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ6-512-A10)

There are many names by which to call these devices but a flash drive seems to be the most popular. The other day, while picking up photos in CVS, a woman ahead of me mentioned to the clerk that her "jump drive" wasn't working correctly. The clerk hesitated for a moment and then assisted her. It was the use of the phrase "jump drive" and what the woman was doing (bringing digital photos to CVS to get a paper copy) that inspired me to write this review. This is exactly what most people, I imagine, want from their flash drives—temporary portable storage. It's why I have one.

There are many people who need portable storage of reasonably large files (500KB and greater) and the historical method of copying a file to a floppy disk is now quite inadequate. Newer computers don't even have a floppy drive installed. A standard high density (HD) floppy has a capacity of 1.44MB but many types of files (text documents with fancy formats or images, photos, small databases) easily exceed the capacity of a floppy disk. This is how I transferred files from one machine to another for years. I even have a 9" floppy drive although I no longer have the computer. Hence, the first reason for the increase in use of flash drives.

Sending large files as an attachment in an email message or, in the case of the woman at CVS, uploading her photos at the CVS website might not be possible. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) don't allow very large photo files or databases as an attachment in emails and some company networks don't allow them either. Thus, the second reason for the increase in flash drives.

This particular model (the Micro Cruzer 512MB) has one feature that is quite handy. The USB connection slides in and out of the casing (much like the razor blades that slide in and out of paint scrapers) and eliminates the need for a removable cap that people often lose (much like ball point pens with caps). Ball point pens have points that are retractable and this feature on the flash drive is convenient.

The stated capacity of this model is 512MB but that's a little deceiving. The actual storage capacity is more like 483 MB (about 95%) of the drive because SanDisk installs U3 Technology software on the drive. Essentially, the drive is partitioned into two drives: one with U3 stuff and one for storage.

What is U3 technology? Let's let SanDisk give you the official company line from their website. They state that "U3 is a mobile computing platform that allows you to carry your applications on a USB drive and launch them on any PC. So wherever you go –your office or home, an internet cafe or business center – you can take your favorite software as well as your data files. With U3 technology, a USB drive is more than a storage device – its' a smart drive."

The following link has a very good explanation of the pluses and minuses of U3 technology.

http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1450

If you want this sort of functionality then the SanDisk may be your choice. Storage capacity ranges from 256MB up to 8GB and prices are comparable with other brands. The drive is backward compatible with earlier versions of USB ports. SanDisk also has model lines other than the Micro. I bought this about a year ago for $19.95 but I noticed one recent sale price as low as $8.99. There might even be lower prices. Shop around.

There are some minor problems that I have encountered when using this flash drive. When using it on several computers (20+) running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system it takes one or two minutes before Windows XP recognizes the hardware after it has been inserted into the USB drive. An icon is inserted on the Start Bar to access the U3 technology. When the drive is removed an error message is displayed stating it was removed incorrectly. It implies the drive (and the computer) might be at risk but no harm is done.

When using it on a computer running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system a window appears that allows the user to run the U3 technology or access the personal files. No error messages appear when the drive is removed but another icon "Safely Remove Hardware" icon is displayed on the Start Bar. Clicking this icon allows the drive to be removed safely.

Sometimes when using it on computers at companies with very protected networks I need an administrator to allow the device to be installed and on these company machines (mostly Dell Dimensions) the drive won't work on the USB port in the front of the machine but only on the ports at the back of the machine. I say it's the problem with the port. The administrators say the problem is the flash drive but I have never encountered this problem on my own Dell Dimensions. So far I haven't encountered any problems using the drive on Dell Inspirons (towers or notebooks).

My security software (Norton) is also set to ask whether I want this new device to be scanned when it is inserted into the machine.

This model comes with a lanyard but I wish it came with an alarm. Alas, sometimes I forget it and leave it in the computer.