SanDisk Cruzer Contour U3 - USB flash drive - 8 GB

...has the retail portfolio that SanDisk has. They are based in California and boasts to be the first company to announce the introduction of the USB Flash Drive. They provide storage and multimedia solutions for the home and small/medium business environments. ScanDisk in 2005, went public in the US. In 2006, their revenue was 3.3 Billion US Dollars.

Have a look at their site, it is:

www.sandisk.com

Founded ...
...
The URL's for SanDisk Cruzer Contour memory keys are::

-http://www.usb-flashdrive.co.uk-
-http:// www.dell.com-

- U3 Technology and what it includes-

This technology comes with the USB Flash memory stick. It is self explanatory The Skype program, CruzerSync, Avast virus software,HP PhotoSmart, is all included. U3 is enabled with PC's which opporate with Windows 2000 or later. When the Key ... more

**SanDisk Cruzer Contour USB Flash Drive -- 8GB**
-- USB Flash Drive 8GB -- Including U3 Technology - Stylish Black

Congratulations you have reached the first retractable non-clip cap Contour USB keys.

Please note -The U3 Technology device allows software to be installed on the USB drive

*Summary*

SanDisk, is known for having the world's highest volumn as in (sales) for data storage. -- No other data storage business has the retail portfolio that SanDisk has. They are based in California and boasts to be the first company to announce the introduction of the USB Flash Drive. They provide storage and multimedia solutions for the home and small/medium business environments. ScanDisk in 2005, went public in the US. In 2006, their revenue was 3.3 Billion US Dollars.

Have a look at their site, it is:

www.sandisk.com

Founded by Dr. Eli Harari in 1988; hit on the world's smallest memory card; The memory Keys were to be exported to over 200,000 major retail outlets. Branded the 'Contour' a new retractable key was introduced; whereby it slides in and out to protect the pin-head. The website above shows how the 'new' flash memory key works.

The URL's for SanDisk Cruzer Contour memory keys are::

-http://www.usb-flashdrive.co.uk-
-http:// www.dell.com-

- U3 Technology and what it includes-

This technology comes with the USB Flash memory stick. It is self explanatory The Skype program, CruzerSync, Avast virus software,HP PhotoSmart, is all included. U3 is enabled with PC's which opporate with Windows 2000 or later. When the Key is inserted in the USB port of your PC the USB Memory start-up window will pop-up.

- What is an USB? -

USB - Stands for Universal Serial Bus - This is a standard port for computer components to be connected using a single standardised interface socket. Every computer has these ports to improve plug-and-play capabilities by allowing devices to be connected and disconnected without restarting the computer, therefore saving time and losing any information through the rebooting process. USB ports are used by external devices such as digital camera's, printers, hubs, extra storage/CD/DVD drives etc.

- What to expect with the portable USB Flash Drive 8GB -

The drive is also known as a key or a stick as seen above in the title. The length is 2 inches long with a socket at the end which goes into the USB port/hub on your PC. The PC recognises this device as an external device and when slotted in as a driver the PC will display the external drive. When clicking on the drive (which is extra storage) the drive which the PC will identitify it as DRIVE E, or DRIVE F or DRIVE G or even DRIVE H ; depending on how many drives your computer is running simultaneously. What is also useful when you have no other USB ports available on your PC is to get an extended port hub, the extended hub costs around 7.00 GBP.

Many older brands of PC do not have as many ports as newer PC models.

**Specification and features**

Stylish Black Glossy Finish
Unique slider USB connector. No more lost caps
Lifetime Limited Warranty
Hi-speed USB 2.0 for fast data transfer
Enhanced for ReadyBoost™. Improves system performance on Windows Vista™
U3 Smart enabled. Carry and launch your personal applications and settings on any PC
Capacities: 8GB
Includes the following U3 compatible PC programs:
- CruzerSync - Desktop synchronization tool
- SignupShield - Password manager
- SKYPE - PC to PC video and audio calls
- AVAST - Antivirus
- HP Photosmart
- Sudoku/Mahjong
Distinctive Blue LED
USB Mass Storage Class Device
Compatible with Windows® 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X v10.1.2+***
Certified Windows® 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X

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- Portable Drive -

The SanDisk is notable smaller than many other Flash Drive brands. They are slick and stylish and brings modern innovation to portable data storage . It is small enough to be recognised as a bluetooth piece, or microphone, except for the distinctive key shape. The 8GB memory capacity has been available for 3 months (retail); it has been used mostly for transferring uncompressed media files. It is a very valuable tool when sending data to different locations or moving via two workstations.

- Flash memory -

The Flash Drive 'memory ' is a method of storage speed. This particular drive works twice as fast as a lower spec memory drive. It reads at a transfer rate of 28MB's per second and that is halved when transfering data from the key to another workstation. However, the USB key can communicate from different digital components -- such as MP3 Players -- Digital Cameras -- Handsets -- and most digital devices. The speed won't be noticeable unless you are transferring a file of over 256MB; then the speed of transferring would be an issue. Flash memory facilities are a lot cheaper than other memory systems such as EECOM products. Flash Memory is still relatively new and has already made an impact on memory storage methods.

- Price -

The SanDisk Cruzer Contour flash memory key for 8GB is £79.99 (including postage and packaging) -- 8/10 value for money. It is worth a shop around as these types of storage memory components have always got a deal on. The price was a little more due to Dell's (UK) VAT and Postage and Packaging fees.

- GREAT OFFER ONLINE 8GB Contour-
*www.amazon.co.uk are doing some great offers on the 8GB Contour at the moment (Oct 2007) Have a look and see what you can find.

*HINT >> Check out the online shops:
www. dabs.com; www.directusbstore.co.uk. The deals are always good value for money and the choice range is very varied<<*

-Overal verdict-

A great piece of modern retractable innovative design. Worth having and solves many problems like lost caps and getting a sharp jab while sitting down. It does take a while to get use to by using the slider, however, it certainly is a clever protector for the pin USB connector.

The 8GB of capacity space allows many more media files, like hi-definition WAVS and MP3 sound files AVI files MP4 files for mobile content such as video and film clips, to be stored without too many file compression requirements. For years I had invested in software compression applications, before high - speed broadband was introduced. What does help is having the extra file storage facility of 8GB; If you deal with multi-media for mobile devices, PC/Mac or on Laptops. You may find the 8GB is more than enough storage for most of your digital data.

Thank you for reading this review, I hope it was helpful.

copyright - 1st2thebar 2007 

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