Apr 23 2003

Fuji USB Key Drive

Ever been caught out with the need to copy files but you didn’t have a Zip disc, uploading to your iDisk was too slow, or the files weren’t big enough to waste a whole CD-R on? Well, Fuji comes to the rescue with their portable, self-powered key drives.

The Fuji USB Key Drive is a small self-powered drive that connects to your computer directly through a USB port. It’s 3.86 inches long by 0.99 inches wide with a height of 0.72 inches. In other words it’s about the size of a short fat highlighter pen. I got the 256 MB version, but it comes in 32, 64, 128, and 512MB versions also. The box had a splash that said “Higher capacity to come,” so I expect we’ll be seeing a Gig version of one of these little bad boys in the future.

It’s both Mac and PC compatible, so you can transfer files between the two platforms in those rare times you unfortunately have to deal with Windoze. It’s USB 1 and 2 compliant so you can use it with both. Its transfer rate is 1MB per second, which may be a little slow for those used to Firewire devices, but it was fast enough for me. A 190.4MB file took four minutes forty-five seconds to load. So, it ain’t lightning fast, but what do you want, it’s only about as big as your thumb!

It was easy to get started. I just plugged it in to my USB port, and it showed up on the desktop. No drivers are needed, but if you’re an 8.6 ludditte, you’ll have to go to the Apple site and download the 8.6 USB Mass Storage device driver. It’s plug and play, but it comes pre-formatted for Windoze, so you’ll have to make a quick trip to Disk Utility and reformat it. Otherwise it couldn’t be easier.

The Fuji USB Key drive is an amazing little device. It has a clip on its cap so that you can keep it in your shirt pocket like a pen. I would have liked to have seen a little ring on the end so that you could attach it to your key ring so that it wouldn’t get lost (that is if you don’t lose your keys). Otherwise it’s an amazing affordable little storage solution.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Prices:

32MB $39.95

  
64MB $52.99

  
128MB$73.99

  
256MB$173.99

512MB$259.99

…and now for something completely different.

• August 6, 2007 -- ArtRage 2.5 inexpensive paint and drawing software released
• November 26, 2004 -- Leftovers
• December 21, 2006 -- RadTech goes crazy with the ScreenSavrz colors
• January 31, 2003 -- What’s Your Browser?

By admin • Reviews • 0