USB Key Owners Unite!!

[null]

I just went out today and picked up a 512MB Lexar JumpDrive Elite USB Key for $80 (Canadian) It was a steal!!

So far I'm loving it! I don't have to constantly burn cds to truck around files. Most of the time I have files that don't take up a lot of space, but they are too big to fit on a floppy. I feel like I waste a CD-R if I burn like 10mb of files onto it. Now with the key I can just plug in and go. It's awesome!

How many Head-Fiers use USB keys, and for what purpose?

 

[bootman]

I have a 128 meg jumpdrive sport I picked up a while back for $20US.
It has an integrated rubber cap/keychain holder.
I use it all the time at work for transporting files.
This one also comes in sizes up to 1 gig (as cheap as $90US) and
there is a MP3/WMA player that you can get for it as an option.

 

[Stephonovich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by null I feel like I waste a CD-R if I burn like 10mb of files onto it. Now with the key I can just plug in and go. It's awesome!?

I always felt that way as well. People would tell me to burn something for them, and I'd be like "but it's 2MB...". Their response was always "well it won't fit on a floppy, and besides, it costs pennies." I don't care how much or little it costs, it's the principle of the thing. I've got 700MB of space, and I'm not going to waste that.

Anyway, I've got a Sony 256MB MicroVault. Nice little thing, but it was one of the earlier ones, so it's pretty big, compared to modern ones. I'm picking myself up a 512MB or 1GB one pretty soon. I decided I needed to upgrade when I realized I couldn't fit SP2 on my current one.

 

[stymie miasma]

I have played with a couple of these at work and was impressed, and hence, I am now in the market. They all seem to be much of a muchness, but are there any "brands" that you would recommend I avoid?

TIA

 

[lini]

sm: Yes, these thingies really come in masses. But rather than suggesting ones to avaoid, I'd like recommend the Sharkoon Flexi-Drive SE models, as these are especially rugged.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[elrod-tom]

I've been using Compact-Flash memory chips (128 MB and 256 MB) for a couple of years now to transport files back and forth from work. I've got an extra reader at the office, and it works great. My wife uses the USB Key, and she literally couldn't get by without it any more.

 

[mikop]

file transfer with readers I have 2 512MB SD card that goes with my PDA.
my usb key is really old, 128MB, it cost well over 100 bucks, something like $160 if I remmber correctly from many years back when 128 first became available.

 

[Permonic]

PQI Traveling Disk has good price/performance ratio. I own 128 MB and 256 MB. For more, there's always 1GB SD card in the PDA.

 

[zbuddah]

i just got one also a jumpdrive pro 256mb for 40 bucks I didn't have enough to put up for the jumpdrive sport 1 gig at 86 bucks haha but oh well this thing is awesome for college students. Plenty big for my verilog projects, plus its fast as heck on a usb 2.0. I can move 110 mb in <10 seconds.

 

[null]

The only prob with my Key (not sure if others have the same problem) is that the "real" amount of memory is only 493! What gives? It reminds me of when Windows says you have like 127 mb of ram when you really have 128.

 

[mikop]

it's just the difference between marketing and tech definition of MB.
no use worrying about it. its *normal*

 

[N@Z]

Pretec' iDisk mini USB pen drive (with keychain). Mine is 256MB but it starts from 128MB & goes up to 1G.

Runs a little hot though if you leave it plugged it for more than several minutes. I use it mainly for transferring files to & fro home/work

 

[Stephonovich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by null The only prob with my Key (not sure if others have the same problem) is that the "real" amount of memory is only 493! What gives? It reminds me of when Windows says you have like 127 mb of ram when you really have 128.

See SI vs. IEC. Basically, the original definitions were for powers of two. HD manufacturers decided people didn't want or need to know that, so they used powers of ten. 80GB rolls off the tongue much better than 74.5GB.

Finally, there's filesystem overhead to take into account.

As for my future purchase... PQI I-Stick rules all. Tiny, cool looking, and 512MB. (at least this one)

 

[Salt Peanuts]

I own a 256MB Cruzer. I use mine for work, especially for transferring large files to and from work when I need to bring work home, which is way too often. I'll probably be getting a 1GB one soon.

 

[S_Dedalus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bootman I have a 128 meg jumpdrive sport I picked up a while back for $20US. It has an integrated rubber cap/keychain holder. I use it all the time at work for transporting files. This one also comes in sizes up to 1 gig (as cheap as $90US) and there is a MP3/WMA player that you can get for it as an option.

Where can you get a 1 gig drive for $90? I want one