[.ca] SanDisk Cruzer Mini USB Flash Drive 1GB

A great little USB flash drive:
You just about have to have a USB flash drive these days. Even if you don't need to transfer files back and forth from one PC to another, you can always use something cheap, easy, and dependable to back up your most precious files. Now, there are all sorts of drives out there these days, in all shapes, sizes, and designs. You've also got the old USB 1.1 vs. USB 2.0 issue to consider. You don't want to get dazzled by looks -- this is a piece of computer hardware, not a fashion statement. You want something dependable, made by a company you know and trust. SanDisk, as far as I'm concerned, sets the standard for flash drive technology. This little ergonomically-designed baby leaves plenty of room beside it on those tight, dual-stack USB ports, but it's big enough to keep track of fairly well (unless you forget and leave it plugged into a computer somewhere). It comes with a neck strap, which makes for an easy to way to transport it from here to there without losing track of it (even though I tend to just carry mine around in my pocket). The cap doesn't fit all that tightly, so you might have to drag it out separately from the drive sometimes if you keep it in a pocket or a purse, but I don't have any major complaints about it. This listing doesn't mention anything about extra caps, but mine came with two replacement caps (yellow and grey). It's wonderful to have an extra -- when a cap does come off somewhere between here and there, you can have a heck of a time finding it (especially the clear caps). Not surprisingly, the Cruzer mini drive is made for Hi-Speed USB 2.0, which guarantees you the fastest file transfer speed available. You can still use it in an old USB 1.1 port, as well, but the transfer speed will be much slower (although still fast, in relative terms -- especially in comparison with a rewritable CD or zip drive). These flash drives have come so far down in price now that these 1GB models are becoming obsolete. If all you want out of a USB flash drive is the ability to transfer word, spreadsheet, and presentation files from one computer to another, though, the 1GB capacity will probably be more than enough to meet your needs. If you're talking about transferring pictures, video files, and the like -- or if you intend to you such a drive for backup purposes for files/folders of any size -- then you should definitely choose a drive with more capacity. Comparing the price of these flash drives today with prices a couple of years ago, it's like they're giving these things away. I don't think it's possible to be unhappy with this product. These things are ridiculously easy to use (plug it in, pause for the computer to automatically recognize it, and then move or copy files back and forth between it and the hard drive), convenient as all get out to carry around, and so useful that you'll wonder how you ever possibly got by without one. I was thrilled when I finally got one of these at work last year. I had a Memorex Travel Drive already, which I used at home (and I'm still quite happy with it), but I much prefer the SanDisk Cruzer Mini.