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How annoying is it when you need to transfer files that wont fit on a floppy
but are relatively small and you have to waste a CD-R on them. I find this very
annoying, thats why I am a great fan of this product, it allows you to transfer
files quickly and easily, and is small too. I was provided with the Dioneer
USB Memory Drive to review by the kind people at Merconnet, it is a 16Mb storage
device that you can just plug straight into your USB port and start using. It
appears as a removeable disc. Lets take a closer look...
There she is, boxed and ready
Details
| Supported OS |
Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP, MacOS 8.6 or higher,
Linux 2.4.x |
| Power Supply |
USB powered (4.5 to 5.5v) note: does not require a powered
hub |
| Capacities |
16/32/64/128/256MB |
| Illumination |
Green: Connected(link) Red: Activity |
| Data Transfer Speed |
Max 12Mbit/s (depending on computer) |
| Data Retention Time |
10 years |
| Dimensions(LxWxH) |
63x21x11.6mm |
| Weight |
15g |
| Accessories |
Windows98 Drivers, Extention Cable, Strap |
Contents of the box
Manuals and driver CD (for Win98/SE)
The Strap
USB Extension cable
Usage
Using the drive is very simple, under Windows XP you can just plug it in and
it will install itself and be ready for use within a few seconds. The same goes
when using it on an Apple Mac, I tested it on a G4 and it worked fine, reading
all the data I put there with my Windows system. Not sure what version of the
OS the G4 was running but apparently the drive can be used on OS 8.6 or higher.
When using it in Windows 98/SE it is also very simple but you need to insert
the driver cd when it asks, once you have installed the drivers once it can
be used just as if it were XP. I am also told that it works under Linux 2.4.x
but I have been unable to test this. Also provided is the USB Extension cable
which proves to be very useful if the only USB ports you have are on the back
of your pc as it will allow you to use it without having to keep going behind
there. I used it by plugging it into the back of my MS Natural Pro keyboard
which includes an unpowered USB hub and it worked fine, showing that a powered
hub is not nesseccary for this item.
The two states of illumination, showing activity
Conclusion
This has proved to be a very useful product to me, because you can give it to
anyone with files on it and they can work out how to use it. It has also proved
to be very durable, seeing as I lost it while walking across a wet and muddy
field the day I got it, and it was there in the mud for at least an hour until
I managed to find it again. It has also endured going to college with me many
a time and getting dropped etc. and it still functions fine with no data loss
as it is solid state media. I was even going to test it by driving over it with
a bus because it seems a really solid product, but i daren't risk it ;o) The
only flaw that I have found with the product is that the lid comes right off
and I would imagine that it could get lost very easily. Anyway, definatley a
recommended product from me, post any questions or comments you have in the
forums.
Just a couple of images to show it off...
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Written By - ChriX
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