SanDisk 2 GB Cruzer Micro with U3 ( SDCZ6-2048-A10, Retail Package)

Other products by SanDisk

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 0.8 x 0.3 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EWD4TS
• Item model number: SDCZ6-2048-A10
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 27, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

SanDisk's Cruzer Micro makes data transfer fast and simple. Its hi-speed USB 2.0-certified for data transfers at up to 480 Mbps (also compatible with USB 1.1, at a more modest 12 Mbps). Its 2GB capacity lets you store important data, pictures, music, and other files on a device little bigger than a few sticks of gum, then readily transfer them to your laptop or desktop. Making an important presentation? Walk into the room with your laser pointer and a Cruzer Micro.

The Cruzer Micro offers higher storage capacity than floppy disks and other removable media, faster transfer rates, and better file security through CruzerLock. CruzerLock encrypts your individual files, keeping them safe and secure from prying eyes. Simply choose a personal password, select the file that you want to encrypt, and let CruzerLock do the rest. (CruzerLock is Windows-only; local administrator privileges required for Windows 2000 and XP.)

For most users, the Cruzer Micro is plug and play, with no drivers required. (A Windows 98SE driver is available online at sandisk.com.) Many USB flash drives obstruct the port adjacent to it, making it difficult or impossible to use two USB devices at once. The ultra-small, ultra-thin Cruzer Micro won't cramp your style--no matter how tight things may get.

Cruzer Micro now ships with U3 smart technology. Co-invented by SanDisk, U3 technology gives you the ability to carry your files AND your software on a secure USB drive. You can have your wallpaper, preferences, favorites, profiles, and more - everything you need for a familiar computing experience on any PC, wherever you go.

Includes Skype exclusively on all Cruzer Micro USB flash drives. Make voice and video calls from PC to PC anywhere in the world.

The new retractable USB port eliminates the need for caps and protects your USB connector.

Product Description

"The SanDisk Cruzer Micro is an incredibly small USB Flash Drive that connects to a computers USB port. Cruzer™ Micro is an incredibly small USB Flash Drive (UFD) that connects to a computer's USB port. With capacities ranging from 512MB to 4GB, users can easily store their key documents, pictures, music and video clips on a Cruzer™ Micro and transfer them to another computer with a USB port. Cruzer™ Micro is small, portable, and the compact size fits on any keychain. The New retractable USB port eliminates the need for caps and protects your port. Cruzer™ Micro provides the latest in UFD technology, a U3 smart capable flash drive. With U3, your programs are available at any time on any PC and is loaded with the following U3 programs; CruzerSync syncronization tools, Signupshield password manager, Skype software and AVAST virus scan."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't panic! This is a great value!, March 22, 2007

By	Ander (Vancouver) - See all my reviews

Stop panicking! If you don't want ANY removable media to run---not just flash drives, but CDs, DVDs, floppies, anything---just hold Shift after you've inserted it. The complainers here obviously didn't know about this standard Windows shortcut.

Yes, I question SanDisk's decision to include auto-running "portable desktop" functionality by default. Obviously, though, they thought they were helping people, offering them something of value at no extra charge.

If you don't EVER want the Cruzer's auto-run functionality, just download SanDisk's U3 Launchpad Removal Tool from their website and run it. Voila---you have a blank USB drive to use however you wish. (You can Google "U3 Launchpad Removal Tool" to quickly find the tool's webpage.)

If you're really geeky, you can even use a repartitioning tool to reclaim the Cruzer's tiny (~5MB) system partition (which SanDisk adds to make Windows think it's CD and enable AutoPlay).

I think the Cruzer's an outstanding value. When I was in L.A. this week, I couldn't pass up this name-brand, 2-GB flash drive, on sale at Staples for $25! I suspect the price has been driven down so low because so many people have complained about the built-in (and, as I've pointed out, optional) software. If so, the rest of us win. It's a terrific deal.

By the way, AutoPlay is one of the first things I turn off after installing XP. If you're tired of holding Shift each time you insert removable media, get Microsoft's free TweakUI utility from their website---which, among many other things, lets you activate/deactivate AutoPlay on all of your removable drives. Why does it take extra software to do something so basic? No doubt Microsoft worried that people would turn off AutoPlay, then forget how to open a file window to run whatever they wanted to. But we're not that helpless, are we? (All together: "No!")

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very fast drive. U3 software is terrible, but removable!, October 9, 2006

By	Navarro L. Parker "Motion Graphics Dude" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just FYI, on Mac OS X, it formats down to 1.78GB. (which is standard loss for any formatted drive).

First the good. This drive is very fast! I was able to copy a 500MB file to it in less than a minute! It's the fastest USB drive I've used. It has a small protective case, solid feel, a bright amber status light when plugged in, and a retractable USB plug. And it's reasonably priced.

Now the bad. If you have horizontal USB ports (like iBooks/Powerbooks/Mac Books), the drive is too wide to use next to an occupied port. You must unplug any USB devices next to it to make room. The supplied "U3" is useless for Macs. The drive always shows up as two separate drives on your desktop (which is annoying). Contrary to other reviews, SanDisk's tech support replied to an email within 24 hours and gave me instructions on how to eliminate the U3 partition. Unfortunately, the instructions are for Windows XP only (which isn't that big of a deal since I have an Intel iMac with Boot Camp). But users with older Macs will have to find a friend with a PC.

In a nutshell, this is a fast USB drive from a trusted brand name in memory devices. But ditch the U3 as soon as you buy it, it's pure (useless) marketing hype.

96 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Deceived !!, May 8, 2006

By	Tech Savvy - See all my reviews

The Ultra3 software that auto launches from this USB drive does indeed install software on every pc you plug it into. It does not ask before installing. It automatically launches when you plug it in and creates a c:\documents and settings\user\application data\u3 subdirectory. This directory does not disappear when the device is ejected. This was confirmed by SanDisk Tech Support after they told me it left no trace initially. For me this is unacceptable as I use it on PCs that are not my own. When the drive is plugged in it creates a CD drive and a removable drive. The CD drive is where U3 software auto launches from. To stop it from auto launching you have to get rid of the CD partition. That tool is not provided by SanDisk but if you look around on th internet you can find it. The RAM is this drive is also very slow.