[NTLUG:Discuss] USB Flash drive recommendations?

[Preston Hagar]

On Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:33 AM, Patrick R. Michaud <pmichaud at pobox.com> wrote:
> I'm looking for recommendations for a good USB flash drive.
>  Yes, I know that USB flash drives are now commodity items
>  and one can get them from basically any corner store, but
>  I'm looking for some specific features:
>
>   - I'd like to be able to keep it on my keyring
>   - at least 4GB capacity,  8GB (or more) would be better
>   - I don't want to have a cover that is easily lost
>     (or worse, the cover attach to the keyring such
>     that the usb drive is easily lost).
>   - No bizarre Windows drivers permanently stored as
>     part of the device (e.g., the SanDisk "Cruiser")
>
>  Any recommendations or suggestions from the group?  Thanks!
>
>  Pm
>
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>

I would recommend the SanDisk "Cruiser" Micro Titanium.  I have one
and I haven't seen any Windows drivers permanently stored on it. It
did come with U3, but that is fairly easy to remove (either remove it
using the uninstall in Windows, or fdisk and mkfs in Linux).  Here is
a link to the 4GB model at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Titanium-Flash-Drive/dp/B000N4Z4JK/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b

It has a really sturdy casing, is fairly small, and is easy to attach
to keys. To attach it to my keys, I took the lanyard thing that it
comes with, cut the neck strap off of the hook that it clips onto, and
then put that on my key ring.  My favorite feature is that the USB
connector slides back into the body of the drive when not in use, so
you don't have to worry about loosing caps or accidentally snapping it
off in your pocket.  As I said before, the only thing that came on
mine was U3 (which seems to come on a lot of them now)  You can
download their uninstall utility (Windows only unfortunately)
http://www.u3.com/uninstall/ ,  mine had the uninstall in the U3
software itself (which is what I used to get rid of it), or I am
pretty sure that you can fdisk it, delete the two partitions and make
them just one, and then reformat it.

Anyway, I know you specifically said no SanDisk Cruziers, but I have
two (one 4GB Titanium and one 2GB non-Titanium black one) that I love
and it only takes a few minutes and access to a windows machine to
completely remove all of the stuff that comes on it.

Preston