Sony Micro Vault Tiny 2 GB USB Flash Drive (USM2GH/T2)

Other products by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches ; 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F9LRZI
• Item model number: USM2GH/T2
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 11, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Take your data with you
Presenting Sony's smallest USB flash drive memory storage device, the Micro Vault Tiny. As a leader in data media and portable computing, Sony understands the need for taking your data with you. That's why we've developed and extended new concepts, new applications and new approaches to mobile storage. The Micro Vault Tiny is available in storage capacities of 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB and comes with a versatile, clip on carry case. This USB flash drive was designed with your everyday needs in mind.

Virtual Expander Software:
This preloaded automatic file compression/decompression software allows for up to three times the storage capacity.

About Sony Media & Application Solutions:
From the very beginning, Sony has been a leader both in recording hardware and recording media. That's not by accident; it's by design. Sony has always developed new recorders and media side-by-side - designed together to integrate perfectly. It's a hardware/media synergy that has helped make Sony the world's #1 recording company. In fact, this synergy stands behind the latest Sony breakthroughs in optical and tape memory and flash memory. You can see it in Sony Blu-ray Disc and HDV media, which support full HD 1080 high definition recording. You can see it in DVD media that offers the accuracy, compatibility and reliability of Sony AccuCORE technology. The Sony name also stands for camcorder media from the industry leader in camcorders, data media from a major name in PCs, and and audio media from one of the world's premier audio companies. Our Global Environmental Management System (GEMS) includes initiatives more stringent than governments require. Post-consumer recycled packaging and a switch to eco-friendly plastics are just a few of the ways Sony is helping to provide a more sustainable environment for the generations to come. So whether it's optical or tape media or flash memory, expect industry leading products from just one company. Sony.

Product Description
Micro Vault Virtual Expander is Sony's unique file compression software. It is pre-installed on the device for ease of use. Micro Vault Virtual Expander will compress your data to virtually store about 3 times as much data. Translucent colors Micro Vault Tiny It is easy, the device can be recognized automatically when you connect it to a USB port Power will be supplied through USB port, so you do not need an AC adaptor Interface - Hi-Speed USB 2.0 compatible Port type - Type A USB port Power Supply - USB bus power (no external power supply) Compatible OS - Windows XP Professional, Home Edition, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Me, Mac OS 9.0 and higher External Dimensions - 14.5x 2.7 x 30.0 mm Weight - Approximately 1.5 grams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Too Thin, January 11, 2007

By	Etush "Etush" (Mexico City) - See all my reviews

The design and colors are great, also the size, I just have a problem with my laptop because the Micro Vault is so thin that doesn't touch the contacts in the USB port. My laptop only recognize the device in 1 of 3 usb ports. I tried in other laptops and still have the same problem.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty much good for archiving only..., October 9, 2006

By	M. Miller "Matt" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Saw this for sale recently and picked it up despite already having a couple 1GB SanDisk micros as well as a 2GB one. I pretty much just got it since it was TINY. I figured it'd be slower than my others.

I was right. I can't give specific numbers as far as speed, but it's VERY noticeable. On my others, I can take a folder full of images and copy them and, BAM, it's all on the flash drive - almost no wait time at all. The same folder which took no time at all on my other drives takes a couple seconds on the Sony 2GB Micro Vault. I can only imagine what it'll be like if I were to try and copy a gig or so of data at once.

Okay, that was to be expected, maybe a little slower than I had hoped, but it's tolerable as long as you're not copying to and from ALL the time.

So, my recommendation is to use this one pretty much for archiving only. I use my sandisk 2GB drive to keep all my documents, portable applications, videos, and stuff that I'm transferring from one computer to another. This one, I'm just going to keep application setup files that I may need from time to time and that don't need to be copied, deleted, or moved around too often. Basically stuff that will STAY there.

So in other words, if you're need something to copy large files to and from frequently, I'd opt for something else. The small package is appealing, but it's not nice in terms of speed. If you just need something to store lot of stuff that won't be moved around a lot (my mom uses her to keep her photos on and to show to family), this is not only good enough, but it's small enough to impress everyone ;)

As for the virtual expander, it seems a bit pointless. The flash demo shows it compressing .doc and .xls files. Like my Word and Excel files need to be compressed! I've got 2GB worth of storage here, I don't think I'm worried about space with some Word files! But I digress. As mentioned in another review (it may have been for the 1GB version), most files these days that people will want to carry around frequently (.mp3, .mpg, .avi, .jpg, etc) are already compressed so much that this thing won't do much, if anything at all. I suppose it may come in handy if you REALLY need to get something on there and can't afford to delete anything else that's already there. But at that point, the 4GB ones will probably be cheaper and you'll have one of those anyway :P

My only other complaint is that the little case it comes with is kinda stupid looking and doesn't protect the whole card. But it does seem to hold it pretty well without risk of it slipping out. The color is quite annoying, too. The 1GB blue looks MUCH nicer. I don't know why they have to make these bright colors all the time. A black or clear one would have been just as nice :P

All in all, if you're not concerned with speed or just want one that's REALLY FREAKING SMALL, go for it.

Transfer Speed = 3/5
Size / Portability = 5/5
Accessories = 2/5
Pre-installed software = 3/5
Overall = 3/5

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Size. Finally., April 27, 2007

By	Erik E. Swanson "Erik Swanson" (Portsmouth, NH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had this dream, of having a USB flash drive I could carry on my keychain. I've tried, oh, I've tried. They always come with flimsy thread to hold it on your keyring, and sharp edges that hurt.

I've been staring longingly at this item for six months. Finally, Staples had a sale and I bought it for $20.

The rubber holder is smaller and much softer than a key. It has a plastic ring that fits on your keychain, so you can toss the floss. The stick iself is ridiculously tiny. It's smaller than a memory stick pro duo. SMALLER.

The software is stupid, but who cares? I didn't buy it for software. I bought it because it fits in my pocket.