Memorex Mini TravelDrive ™ U3 (512 MB) (32509359)

The Memorex USB 2.0 Mini Travel Drive is perfect for the office worker or student who needs to transfer data from one computer to the next. But this USB flash drive is much more than that...

The first time you connect the device to your computer, the drive comes with a short animated video introduction which quickly explains how to use your new mini travel drive. After connecting, a small U3 icon appears in your taskbar. By clicking the icon you effectively open the U3 Launchpad. From here you can:

1. Explore the contents of your mini drive.

2. Manage U3 program settings.

This includes the Migo software (more about this feature shortly), the Mozilla Thunderbird full e-mail service and the McAfee anti-virus software.

3. U3 status and settings.

You can verify drive capacity, launchpad and security settings.

4. Add programs...self explanatory!

5. Help and Support.

This includes a complete Launchpad help feature and Memorex on-line support.

6. About U3 Lauchpad drive.

Information here is limited to the device serial number and other legal and copyright notices.

More about the U3 Travel Drive:

You can activate the security feature from the U3 Launchpad "status and settings." This prevents others from accessing your mini drive if you forget it at work or if it's lost or stolen. This is an important feature for those of you who keep sensitive or confidential information on your mini drive. Some students will love this feature as it will prevent others from stealing all their hard work and important projects.

After activating the security feature, you must always log in, the Migo "synchronize" feature software will open next, giving you the option to synchronize your home computer "settings" with any other PC you are using without ever leaving any data on the guest PC. Very nice and it's just one of those great features I wouldn't go without anymore, settings include: "desktop files", "internet explorer favorites", "cookies", "history" and "home page." With the synchronization process complete, you will feel right at home with whatever computer you're using. There are more options available including "audio files" and "sub-directories" but with only 512 MB, I don't recommend including too many options. For myself, the "home page," "internet explorer favorites" and "cookies" was more than enough personal information to carry around from one computer to the next. If you choose, you can simply close the "synchronization" window and continue to use the Mini travel drive as you would any other 2.0 USB flash drive.

Finally, to safely remove the device, you MUST use the EJECT button found in the U3 Launchpad or you risk loosing data. If you don't use the eject button, an error will appear notifying you of the risk. I've never lost any data and my computer never crashed or shutdown because I was in a hurry. However, using the U3 Launchpad EJECT button only takes about 5 seconds to complete the process, and if it's not safe to eject, it will remind you to close (and save) whatever you happen to be working on before ejecting the device. So, it's also a neat little safety feature and not really a problem after all.

I'm not one to complain about download time or that can be bothered with the little details of specific download speed times. But for those who really need to know, this flash drive works fast. Files and pictures are not an issue. Where I've noticed a slight difference in efficiency is with the transfer of audio files. The Memorex mini travel drive transferred more than 50 MP3 audio files in about 12 minutes. The only comparison I have in this department is with the Verbatim 512MB Store 'n' Go USB Flash Drives I bought my son and daughter last year for $50 each. Audio file wise, the Store 'n' Go outperformed the Memorex travel drive. But the Store 'n' Go does not contain the Migo synchronization software, nor the McFee Anti-Virus software or U3 Lauchpad features which I will never go without...anymore! Add the $25 price tag I paid for my Travel Drive and I got myself a great little 2.0 USB flash drive!

UPDATE: (2006-11-13)

Just thought some of you would want to know that I forgot my Mini travel in my pant pocket and washed everything and this actually happened twice in the same week. Amazingly, the drive still works!! Even though the plastic cover doesn't snap into place, it's still good enough to waterproof it... lol

Vanwarp