I'm Not Blue About My New Store'N'Go Flash Drive from Verbatim!
Written: Feb 03 '08
Product Rating:
Pros: Well, it works. Easy to use, does what it promises, hard to damage.
Cons: Easy to lose or destroy, Often requires proper shutdown
The Bottom Line: Well, the Store 'N' Go does exactly what it promises; it makes large amounts of computer data portable between computers with no software necessary to utilize it!
wlswarts's Full Review: Verbatim Store 'n' Go (1 GB) USB Flash Drive (9522...
Lacking a write-off involving small items, I have a little bit of trepidation reviewing something as simple as a flash drive for Epinions. However, with my recent use of public computers to e-mail, I find myself transporting data around quite a bit. Given that I was so happy with the Verbatim Stor'N'Go I had that was red (reviewed at: http://www.epinions.com/content_413799911044 ), I decided to pick up a few more to help me make an easier visual swap of what files I was keeping where. The Blue Stor'N'Go I picked up handles some of my larger visual files while my red still transports the word processing files. Sure, one could easily hold all of the information, but once one starts hauling around long lists of files, it is sometimes easier to have them separated.
That's where my new blue Store'N'Go comes in. Functionally, it is identical to the red one, the only difference is that it has a blue plastic shell protecting the storage devices instead of a red one.
For those unfamiliar with flash drives, these are convenient little pieces of computer hardware that essentially act as a portable hard drive. They are a male USB port connected plugged into a very small board and it holds any sort of computer information that can be held on a standard hard drive. Because virtually every computer these days has a USB port (the "U" stands for "Universal!") this becomes a remarkably efficient and easy way to transfer information from one computer to another and to walk around with files. Far more durable than floppy discs and easier to transfer information to than a CD-R, the flash drive is a remarkable piece of technology that makes files portable between computers in a way that is often as easy as clicking a flash drive into a USB port!
The Verbatim Store 'N' Go is a two inch long by 3/4" wide by 1/2" thick piece of plastic that has a transparent shell that reveals the tiny flash board inside it. One end has a USB interface which plugs into any USB port - it is a standard type of port on computers, the flat-looking interface that is rectangular shaped. The other end is a convenient plastic loop that connects to a one and a half foot long strap (like a shoestring) that allows one to carry their Store 'N' Go around their neck!
Whenever you plug the Store 'N' Go into a computer that has Plug and Play capability (Windows 2000 or above) the computer will register the drive and usually open a window to show the contents of the drive. In Windows, files may be dragged onto the drive or dragged off the drive to copy files to or from the drive. It is seriously that easy. Unlike having to spend minutes loading large files with multiple floppy discs or having the inconvenience of having to find a CD burner for a CD-R/CD-RW, the Store 'N' Go is literally as easy as plugging in and dragging (or copying) files to it!
I move music files in seconds, save word processed files as fast as to the hard drive and have even stored video files near a whole gigabyte on the Store 'N' Go to tranfer from downloads to my home computer. The only wrinkle I've found using the Store 'N' Go so far is that my mother's archaic HP Pavilion laptop that is running on Windows 98 does not acknowledge it.
The Store 'N' Go has a 1 GB capacity which means most people can replicate their entire data collection from their primary terminal and save it on here! This makes for a great back-up option in case of fire or disaster or fleeing the Apocalypse! The only important functional detail to remember is that if you are plugging it into a PC or other Windows-based system, it must be properly removed from the system using the "Eject" option from the tool bar. Otherwise, some of the files may not open properly. I discovered this the hard way. It is important, then, to not simply jam it in and pull it out. No, it requires a bit more sensitivity than that. You can jam it into a USB port, of course, but the computer has to be prepared for it to be withdrawn, else it will sometimes prevent the files from functioning properly.
The back of the Store'N'Go has a blue light as well. Whenever the drive is being accessed, the back portion of the flash drive blinks, providing a very clear indicator of when the drive is active and when it is not. This is very convenient and helps one know well just how long files are taking to upload from the unit. And it is quick!
In addition to Windows-based systems, the Verbatim plugs into USB ports on my MacBook Pro (reviewed at: http://www.epinions.com/content_405620821636 ) and other Apple computers. This means it can be a wonderful interface between any of the music-storing Apple products that have a USB port and a computer!
The Store 'N' Go is very convenient, though because of its small size, it may easily be lost. The strap comes in handy in that regard and I've found that I tend to be quite glad that the unit comes with the strap. Having been schleping the tiny drive between my home and the library to upload Epinion reviews (my phone line is currently down) for the last week, I've found that the Store 'N' Go is handy and durable. I've sat on it, dropped it and nervously spun it around on its strap. Nothing. I did, however, watch a friend take their boot to one (it was blue, like this one) and these things are not indestructible!
It is worth noting, as well, that the Store 'N' Go comes with a little cap that easily pops off to protect the USB plug when it is not in a computer. The cap has a small bump to keep it on and that works nicely, so it does not fall off and yet is easy enough to remove when one is ready to use it.
But for all my ability to write, it's hard to find anything more to say about this. It has one purpose: store information. It does that. I've not encountered any sort of magnetic field that has wiped clear that memory and truth be told, I'm not even sure it's possible. With 1 Gigabyte of storage space, this packs a great amount of storage into a very discrete package. Anyone on the go who works with multiple computers will want to get one of these.
And seriously, they are inexpensive enough that if you keep an extra one by your bed with your essential computer back-ups, it's convenient enough to grab when you're scooping up the cats and fleeing fire, flood, tornadoes . . .or the Apocalypse.
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