M-Systems DiskonKey 8MB

CNET editors' review

CNET Editors' ChoiceJun 01

• CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Jon L. Jacobi
• Reviewed on: 06/17/2001

M-Systems' DiskonKey isn't the only flash memory drive that connects to your system via the USB port, but it's easily the best. Unlike products such as Agate Technologies' Q USB and JMTek's USBdrive, the DiskonKey can be used without first installing drivers--though only if you use a fully USB-aware OS, such as Windows Me or 2000, Mac OS 9 or higher, and Linux 2.4.0 or later. You can download drivers from the DiskonKey Web site for Windows 98 and 98 SE.M-Systems' DiskonKey isn't the only flash memory drive that connects to your system via the USB port, but it's easily the best. Unlike products such as Agate Technologies' Q USB and JMTek's USBdrive, the DiskonKey can be used without first installing drivers--though only if you use a fully USB-aware OS, such as Windows Me or 2000, Mac OS 9 or higher, and Linux 2.4.0 or later. You can download drivers from the DiskonKey Web site for Windows 98 and 98 SE.

Real, live plug 'n' play
Installing and using the DiskonKey is easy; plug it into an available USB port, then wait ten seconds for the OS to find it. You're soon ready to cut, paste, and copy files--just as you would with any other drive. But unlike hard disks and removable media drives, DiskonKey has no moving parts or fragile media, so it's more rugged and reliable. It's also very secure, doubling as a key ring (hence the name), so it's easier to keep with you.

The DiskonKey is designed for convenience. It's compact--a little longer and wider than your forefinger (82 by 15 by 23mm)--and sports a clever two-piece design that operates just like a pen with a snap-on cap. The protective cap has a removable key ring held in place by a folded plastic arm, which, in turn, does double duty as a pocket clip (geek nirvana!). The drive itself snaps in and out of the protective top cap and has a power/access LED that blinks in different patterns when it's working, inactive, or in sleep mode.

The product currently comes in three flavors: 8MB ($49.99; reviewed here), 16MB ($69.99), and 32MB ($99.99). Measured per megabyte, the DiskonKey is pricey, and you can find less expensive forms of storage. However, it also costs about the same as other USB flash memory drives. In our informal tests, we measured throughput at somewhere around 170K per second. Continue reading

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