LaCie FastKey user reviews (USB flash drive - 120 GB)

Pros Large memory space.

Cons Removable cap. It might get lost.

Pros Size, speed, capacity, low heat.

Cons Retraction would be nice, but not necessary for the responsible amongst us. I have not yet found any bundles offered by LaCie as of yet; like SuperTalent and Ceedo.

Summary How can anyone give a poor rating to a 128G portable USB 3.0 attached device? I have not yet performed a speed test, but when I compare it to my SuperTalent device, my subjective review is that they are within a blink of being the same speed. I will own several, and will use them for various virtualization platforms. Not a lot can be said about the technical specifications.

Pros Big and fast

Cons Lots of money for something whose cap is guaranteed to be lost

Summary In the hopes that someone somewhere is listening, let me point out that a USB storage device needs to satisfy these criteria:

1. Attaches securely to a keychain or lanyard
2. Protects the USB port in a way that won't get lost
3. However it chooses to protect the port must lock in both the open and closed positions

Apparently, these three conditions together pose an insurmountable engineering challenge since there isn't a single device on the market that manages to get all three of them completely right. The Sandisk Cruzer has a locking retractor, but the halves separate in a pocket just enough for it to come loose from a keychain. I was given an Ativa which has a retracting design and a secure keychain attachment. Trouble is the retracter locks in the open position but not in the closed position so of course it is never closed. And I have a whole drawer full of devices from a variety of manufacturers that no longer have caps.

$400+ is an awful lot of cash to drop on something with a cap that is going to get lost and expose the electronics to stray static discharge. Way to drop the ball, La Cie.