SanDisk Ultra II Secure Digital Plus card 512MB

(Note that I am using a one Gigabyte version of this product.)

The combined USB and SD capability of this single shapeshifting card is a nice way of compacting more capability into less space. Given the popularity of SD over other flash formats, this card is an ideal one card for all devices. In my own case, it fits about everything I use--my PDA, my digital camera, all three computers, the printer's flash card slot, and even the big screen HDTV. Its compatability with USB 2.0 also allows for fast transfer on my own computers, as well as ensuring compatability with the ones at work. It also will fit the Palm Treo 700w, which I've been looking at as my next mobile phone.

Gen-Xers who grew up on Transformers will appreciate the niftiness of this card. (I've plugged mine into a convertable tablet PC.) Its two configurations both feel sturdy; the hinges feel strong and able to handle frequent changes in configuration.

As a replacement for a USB keychain drive, it has a few potential drawbacks. In and of itself, in spite of its relative sturdiness, it is best transported in a case rather than jostled loose, and is not designed to fit on a keychain directly. It came packaged with a free keychain case in addition to a regular plastic one, but the case feels loose and likely to slip open frequently. I would recommend instead storing it in the SD slot of a phone, PDA, or other frequently carried device, which takes advantage of its versatility and reduces keychain clutter at the same time.

Its small size--more compact than nearly every keychain USB drive--is likely to turn heads, helping to secure Geek reputation as you use it at work. Its higher capacity (512 MB or One GB) also makes it useful for transferring large files or keeping a few albums worth of music on your PDA or phone and still being able to copy your workplace documents and spreadsheets.

One final nit to pick: like most of SanDisk's flash cards, or for that matter most brands, its packaging is worthy of Consumer Reports' "oyster award" for tough to open packaging. I bought mine as a business traveller, and I was thankful that my portable grooming kit included scissors. Such packaging has to be destroyed to open, making any returns problematic. Still, flash RAM tends to be very reliable compared to most tech gear, so that shouldn't be an issue.

A great SD card with a clever fold-down tab that exposes a USB-ready slot. Means you don't need a card reader - which can save you over half the price of the card in some cases. Will work with USB 1.1; better with USB 2.0 port. Won't work with my keyboard USB 1.1 port because the port is insufficiently powered, but works fine with USB 1.1 port on my five-year-old notebook. Will work fine with most ports that are directly connected to a computer or have an independent power source.