LaCie iamaKey 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 130870

by LaCie

• Sturdy metal key design; fits on a keyring
• Ultra mobile and lightweight with generous 8GB storage capacity
• Gold SIP technology; water and scratch resistant
• Hot-pluggable; cross platform technology
• Fast transfer rates; up to 10 MB in write mode and 30 MB in read mode

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 0.1 x 2.2 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001V7XPSA
• Item model number: 130870
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (217 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 12, 2009

Product Description

Capacity: 8 GB

With the new LaCie iamaKey, inventive storage meets data protection. The key-shaped design is functional and memorable, and the protection that the LaCie iamaKey offers makes it extremely reliable. Best of all, you can fit an enormous amount of data in a small flash drive. With its eye-catching design, the iamaKey certainly stands out, but its connector (Gold SIP) is both water- and scratch-resistant, making it one of the most durable and thinnest USB keys on the market. Protective edges on the connectors ensure that you will always insert the LaCie iamaKey properly, keeping it usable and safe. With the universal Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, iamaKey can be used with both PC and Macs. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 not only offers universal compatibility and cross-platform convenience, but features a hot-pluggable connection and high-speed transfer rates, and is Windows ReadyBoost compatible. Best of all, the iamaKey is backward-compatible with USB 1.1, so you can use it on any computer. A product of the 5.5 Designers firm, the LaCie iamaKey fits in your pocket, and on your keychain, letting you take your data with you wherever you go. Another new collectible product produced in conjunction with 5.5 Designers, the iamaKey is a usable, tough USB flash drive, but with a well-developed sense of fun. Minimum System Requirements: Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista, Mac OS X v10.3.5 or higher, Linux-based system. Box Contents: LaCie iamakey and cap.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 153 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Cool but... Dead in 6 months - LaCie won't honor warranty December 9, 2009

By NJP (Ohio)

Size Name:8 GB|Amazon Verified Purchase

While this drive is very cool (albeit slow as everyone else has pointed out), it's completely worthless when it dies within 6 months (purchased June 18). I've seen several other posts here of the same issue: just decides one day to never mount again. And even though there is a 2-year warranty, LaCie doesn't want to honor it because I can't provide a serial number.

For what it's worth, there is NO serial number on the key itself. Apparently the S/N was on the disposable packaging, which as you may guess, was thrown away back in June.

So, for a product that has a 2 year warranty, and has only been on the market for 6-9 months (so there's NO WAY ANY OF THEM could be out of warranty), and that I have a receipt for, LaCie still won't honor their warranty (at least so far). I'll edit this review if in fact they do decide to honor the warranty, but this loophole/runaround is inexcusable and I'd avoid this purchase again because of it.

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UPDATE - FEB 2010
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Finally after about 3 weeks of arguing, LaCie agreed to let me send it back so they could "look" at it. On January 5th I received a new, in package, 8GB key.

While I'm happy I finally got resolution, I'm not happy with the experience, and I can say that even today (Feb 20th) I still haven't used the key. I simply feel less than overwhelemed with it now. But you can bet that I didn't throw the packaging away this time! Just in case.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great low key (pun intended) flash drive! December 24, 2009

By Mark

Size Name:8 GB|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pros
Looks great, feels great. Very inconspicuous, everyone I've shown it to immediately asks where I got it from. I would definitely buy it again.

Cons
Plastic tip that protects the contacts falls off easily, but the contacts seem to be holding up just fine.
Transfers are a little slow.

Edit - 01/06/2010

I would NOT buy this product again. My brother and I have both purchased this and carried it on our keychains. Today I find out that NEITHER flash drive will mount/be recognized by any of our computers, I've tested it on 7-8 different computers and none of them recognize it. Apparently to use the warranty you need the serial number, which is located on.....dun dun dun........THE PACKAGING OF THE PRODUCT.............NOT THE PRODUCT (flash drive) ITSELF.........so unless you were smart enough to save the packaging, the warranty is useless.

The gold connectors are slightly scratched since the plastic tips were lost (after a couple days) but they don't look any different from when the keys used to work.

Waste of money, fortunately I have backups on other drives but not worth the headache of rebuying this flash drive.

Update - 07/08/11

I couldn't help myself and repurchased this product about six months ago, since then it has held up fine. I lost the tip within the first month (again), and made sure to take photos of the packaging and document the serial number prior to discarding the packaging. Like others have said, it is definitely a conversation starter, and gets lots of questions/compliments. My girlfriend recently "borrowed" the IamaKey indefinitely, and she definitely enjoys it.

I changed my rating to 3/5 since the new version seems to be working better, and if anything happens I at least have the warranty/serial number now.

I went ahead and ordered the v2 of this product, and will post a review about that one as well.

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute but slow April 22, 2009

By Michael Smith

Size Name:8 GB|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pros: As advertised, imakey is the size of a (large) key and fits very well on a keychain. Very high "cute" and convenience factor.

Cons: It is quite slow relative to other flash drives. For example, to write and read a 122MB file took 52.6 and 11.5 seconds on the imakey compared to 37.0 and 7.7 seconds on a Lexar Firefly jumpdrive.