Customer Reviews

PNY 2 GB Attache USB Hard Drive

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Maybe I'm nostalgic about things when it comes to computers. I remember my first USB key drive. A 128MB Sandisk model that I acquired with a rebate check from Discover. I actually still have that USB key drive because it survived a washing and drying.

At 2GB (actually less when you count the formatting but those of us in the computer world are familiar with the numbers game) this drive is probably more space than the average person will ever need.

PC Magazine has a great article on what you could do with a 512MB USB key called "The Ultimate USB Key" that I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for USB key solutions.

Pros:
Storage: 2 GB* (1.90 GB actually) of storage
Accessories:
* Lanyard (I can't tell you how important these are as one of my original 1GB USB keys is forever lost because it didn't have a lanyard where as my 128MB is still viable because it does.
* USB extension cable (great for the back of my laptop dock)

Cons:
The casing: The plastic is rather flimsy
The cap: I'm so sure this thing will eventually loosen up to the point that I'll lose it without even knowing.
[...]

I have no complaints about this flash drive. It does what it should, is easy to use, has enough storage to backup all my digital pics from my hard drive (so far!), and is not expensive.

I was concerned about not buying the more expensive name brand versions of the USB Flash drive, but this little drive has been more than adequate for what I use it for. I no longer have to lug my laptop back and forth from work to home. It comes on a shoestring like "necklace" that makes it very easy to carry around without losing it. If you are comparison shopping, I would consider this as a great option.

Before buying this flash drive, I had found a 2GB PQI drive at Fry's for a great price. However, its speed was extremely poor. I decided to replace that slow drive with this PNY drive. I was not disappointed. This PNY drive is 4-5 times faster than the PQI drive; there is even more difference when copying large numbers of small files.

The only gripe I have about it is that whenever I plug it in, Windows insists on scanning the entire contents of the drive before letting me do anything with it. I just want it to show me Windows Explorer. I don't need a list of other applications that might apply.

Overall, however, I love having the large amount of storage at such a low price. Flash drives have changed the way I use computers. Important information now "lives" on the flash drive. The computer is becoming simply a container in which to plug in, and buck up, a flash drive!

Note: In spite of the words "Hard Drive" in the title for this item, it is in fact a "Flash" drive, and has no moving parts or spinning platters.

This is a fine drive as long as you don't run into problems with it, or need to updated a driver.

The driver wasn't recognized on one of my computers, so I went looking for another one. First, it's next to impossible to find anything on their site. Then their troubleshooting procedure is ridiculously complicated. I finally gave up. I'll use one of my other sticks and never buy one of these again.

If you get one, and you don't have an IT staff around to help you, pray you don't need a new driver.

M|S

Lot of storage space for little money, unless you want to wait a few years. This kind of product ages quickly, I have two Gigs now for the price that bought me 256 Mb three years ago. Performance is flawless, both on the Mac and the pc.

I was looking for just a plain file download device without unwanted "extras" [using a U3-enabled device will cause Windows to reboot - not a good experience on a public computer]. This may not be the swiftest solid state memory, but it's far faster than the download speed of a broadband internet connection. The price is right and construction is solid.
[NOTE: preformatted for FAT; easily reformatted to FAT-32 (but not NTFS); presumably reformattable to Apple OS too]

It was plug and play with Windows XP, but I had to download the drivers for an old Win 98 machine. You can find them at the PNY Europe website.
It transfers files a lot more quickly than by burning a CD.

It works as described. However, my package did not include the USB cable (see my picture of it) as mentioned by one reviewer; just the flash drive and lanyard. So, the uploaded image of the package with USB cable was misleading in my case. The Amazon's Product Description does not refer to the USB cable either. I can only assume that maybe the manufacturer stopped by now attaching it with the drive. Therefore, if you want a flash drive you will get it. If you get lucky, you may also get the USB cable...
One more thing and I wish I thought of it earlier. As of this writing I paid for this drive $24.98. Not bad at all but for just $36.37 I could have gotten a nice 4G flash drive by Kingston, DTI/4GB, USB Flash Drive. I missed a greater deal per GB.

I bought 2 of these, gave them to family members at Christmas. before I gave, I played with both of them.(See How I Am?) I put some personal stuff on them to add to the gift. One Critic said they are not fast enough to use as Vista Ready-Boost, but they are very fast at ordinary work. You can download executable stuff like Anti-Virus programs directly to the Flash Drive, then carry the Drive to another computer that may be having problems, then apply the A-V program to the sick computer without putting it online! ONE Con: The sleeve and the cap of this stick does not fit tight enough!