LaCie CurrenKey 4GB USB Flash Drive
Reviewed by Robert Pritchett
LaCie USA
22985 NW Evergreen Parkway
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Tel: (503) 844-4500
Fax: (503) 844-4508 http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11173
Released: December
1, 2008
$20 USD for 4 GB (Bronze) or $30 for 8 GB (Silver).
Requirements: USB
port and lots of data to move from one place to another.
Backward compatible to USB 1.1
Strengths: Wallet
or purse-friendly. Sturdy. Metal and not plastic.
Weaknesses: Just
the USB interface (could break off). Might get easily lost.
Introduction
Built-in memory of up to 8GB in a
tiny
USB flash key
Available with a bronze (4GB) or
silver
(8GB) finish
Shock-proof and durable die-cast
casing
Inventive, innovative design by 5.5
Designers
With the new LaCie CurrenKey you
can easily transfer and transport your important data. The inventive, appealing
coin design is both eye-catching and practical, and the USB connector can be
revealed by a simple twist. With the universal Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, the
cross-platform LaCie CurrenKey can be used with all PC or Mac computers.
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 not only offers universal compatibility and cross-platform
convenience, but features hot-pluggable connection and high-speed transfer
rates. |
|
The metal die-cast construction of
the LaCie CurrenKey makes it sturdy and dependable. It’s backward compatible
with USB 1.1, so you can use it with any computer. A product of the 5.5
Designers firm, the LaCie CurrenKey fits in your pocket, letting you take your
data with you wherever you go.
The third in a line of new collectible products
produced in conjunction with 5.5 Designers, the stylish CurrenKey is a
practical tool for your home or business, but its playful and inventive design
differentiates it from other USB Flash drives on the market.
Specifications
Interface transfer rate: up to
480MBits/s
Dimensions: 36 x 9 mm / 1.42 x .35
"
What I Learned
In an attempt to play on words, LaCie created CurrenKey
(like currency, get it?) in two sizes. I go the copper/bronze version instead
of the silver version. I can still
remember replacing 16, 32, 64, 128, 256KB chips in memory boards that cost
hundreds, if not thousands of dollars and now we have USB thumb drives that can
hold as much as 8 GB for $30 in coin. Is this not a whimsical miracle?
It was not all that long ago that thumb drives cost a LOT
more money for a lot LESS memory.
These
units are die-cast metal with the little coin-like edges to help grip in order
to spin the drive open to reveal the USB interface.
Conclusion
Toss me that coin before it increases in value!
More Reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive Some USB Drives are up to 256 GB now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory
http://www.prlog.org/10169197-flash-drive-memory-cost-jumps-87-in-the-past-2-weeks.html
