Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Storage

    Unlimited Storage That Fits in Your Pocket

    By
    Marge Brown
    -
    September 18, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Once viewed as sleeper products, pocket-size USB storage devices seem to be gaining momentum. Devices like the new SanDisk Cruzer ($59.99 to $199.99 direct, depending on the amount of memory) provide users with an alternative storage method to limited-capacity floppy disks and larger, less portable alternatives, such as Iomega Zip drives and media. The Cruzer goes one step farther, however, by using removable SecureDigital (SD) media. Compared with fixed-media USB storage devices, the Cruzers removable media provides much more potential for capacity and flexibility for transporting documents, music, images, presentations, and other file types. The Cruzer is simple to install, switch among computers, and transport, making it an indispensable computing peripheral. For security-minded users, a limited encryption application provides some peace of mind in case your Cruzer falls into the wrong hands.

      The brushed silver Cruzer measures 2.6 by 1.8 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.1 ounces. The Cruzer bundle includes an SD card, a travel case, and a 5-inch extension cable to use with hard-to-reach USB ports. All units accept both SD and MultiMediaCard (MMC) media. Various memory configurations are available: 32MB ($59.99), 64MB ($79.99), 128MB ($99.99), and 256MB ($199.99).

      The Cruzer is compliant with USB Mass Storage Class specifications, so if you use Microsoft Windows Me, 2000, or XP, installing and using the device is a breeze. Simply plug the Cruzer into a USB 1.1–compliant port. The first time you plug it into a new PC, the Windows drivers load automatically, and the Cruzer appears in your Windows directory as a new lettered drive, such as Removable Disk (E:), for example. Installation is still pretty easy for those who use Windows 98 or 98 SE. There is just the additional step of installing the drivers from the Cruzer CD-ROM. After installation, you can use the Cruzer as you would any other drive.

      CruzerLock, the bundled security software, is a mixed bag. On the one hand, its free and easy to use. On the other hand, you cant encrypt folders or entire cards unless you choose each one individually. When you encrypt a file using the 40-bit encryption engine, youre asked whether you want to delete the source file. If you dont delete this file, the unencrypted version remains on the card. To work with a file in its original application, you need to decrypt it with the same password you used to encrypt it. This process is laborious and potentially confusing when youre working with a large number of files.

      The popularity of pocket-size USB flash memory storage devices is easy to understand. Theyre fast, portable, and simple to use. The SanDisk Cruzers removable media is a definite advantage over other flash storage units, since you can use multiple cards rather than investing in multiple fixed-media devices.

      Marge Brown
      Marge Brown, a PC Magazine Contributing Editor, has worked in the technology field for twenty years, as Director of Technology at The Travelers Companies, as an independent Managed Health Care technology consultant, and as owner of Brown Consulting Associates, the family's freelance technology writing business.Since 1998, Marge has worked on a full-time basis with her husband, Bruce Brown, also a PC Magazine Contributing Editor, writing reviews for PC Magazine and analytical articles for ExtremeTech.com.Marge is the mother of Rich Brown, freelance writer, Liz Brown, employee of Text100, a technology public relations firm, and Pete Brown, freelance writer and aspiring Web site designer.In her spare time Marge enjoys reading, swimming, boating, and taking walks with Bruce and their two Giant Schnauzers, Katama and Pepper, who are about to launch their own brand of salsa and hot sauce.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×