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Imation 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Review
Product: Imation 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Author: Weiye Zhou
Date Published: 07/26/04
MSRP: $360
Provided By: Imation
Introduction
Why do floppies still exist? I ask myself that question every day. Fortunately, flash drives will replace them eventually, due to their ease of use, speed, compatibility, and convenience. Currently, the smaller sizes (16MB, 32MB, and 64MB) are very affordable and more than enough for transferring documents or presentations. Get rid of your floppy and buy a flash drive! Erase the world of this evil menace know as floppies!
Features and Specifications
- Proprietary swivel design ensures you'll never lose the cap.
- Unique, miniature form factor.
- USB extension cable and neck strap included.
- Ultra-fast USB 2.0 drive (8MB/sec read speed; 7MB/sec write speed).
- 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB capacities.
- Ten-year data retention.
- Up to 100,000 write cycles.
- One year warranty.
- FREE! Imation Disk Manager Software for Windows available for download
- Interface: USB version 2.0 (1.1 compliant).
- OS: Driver required - Windows 98SE; No drivers required - Windows ME, 2000, XP, Mac OS 9.0 or higher, Linux 2.4 or higher.
- Capacity: 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB.
- Data retention: 8 years (or more).
- Speed: read: up to 8MB/sec; write: up to 7MB/sec.
- Power source: USB-powered (no batteries required).
- Size: 55mm x 17mm x 14mm.
Visual Analysis
Upon openening the package, I was amazed at the size of the flash drive. It was no more than 2.375 inches and weighed next to nothing. Accessories included a neck strap and a USB extension cable, in case you don't have a USB port on the front of your case.
Here's the box with the flash drive cradled in the middle.
Everything that's included: the flash drive, neck strap, and USB extension cable.
Locked / Unlocked switch.
Activity indicator.
Sized (in inches)!
Installation
Well, you stick it into a USB port and it works. Not much to it besides that. However, if you have Windows 98SE, your going to have to install drivers off Imation's Website. After sticking the flash drive in a USB port, Windows will automatically detect and install the flash drive. It'll show up as a removable device and you can use it as if it were a hard drive.
Usually a good sign.
A simple look at the properties verifies its indeed 1GB of space.
Performance
I measured the read and write speeds of the flash drive with Sandra 2004. Using the standard file system benchmark, I found the speeds matched up with Imation's claims.
Thumbs up!
Free Software
If you want, you can also download free software avaliable at Imation's Website. It's a very simple program that allows you to format, partition, or attach a password to the flash drive. The other really nice feature is you can designate partitions "public" or "private (password protected)".
Conclusion
This is an excellent product with very nice features. It's also compact, lightweight, easy to use, fast read/write speeds, convenient, and compatible with any computer that has a USB port. Accessories included were a real bonus and very helpful for someone who doesn't have a USB port on the front of their computer. The only complaint I have is the price, but if you have the money, go for it! Overall, it is a great product that everyone should have.
Thank You!
Before we go onto the Pro's and Con's, I'd like to thank Imation for providing us a chance to review this great product.
Pro's
1GB of space!
Compact
Lightweight
Easy to use
Fast read/write speeds
Convenient
Compatibility
Con's
Price
