11. Storage

M-Systems - DiskOnKey Pro - 128 MB

Retail Price - $114.99 US

Website - Diskonkey

The DiskOnKey Pro is available in 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB sizes and features USB support.

Portable USB flash storage is a 'hot' item currently, and we have not overlooked the useful nature of this technology. Right now, the best of the lot appears to be the DiskOnKey Pro from M-Systems. M-Systems seems to have an edge over its competition in extending this technology.

With the DiskOnKey Pro M-Systems has not only trimmed the form factor again, but they have added new technology (such as KeySafe and MyKey) to help protect your data on the DiskOnKey Pro, as well. A 32-bit ARM7 processor that will allow you to run applications straight from DiskOnKey Pro powers the DiskOnKey Pro. One of its most attractive features is being able to update the software on your DiskOnKey Pro. M-Systems is also the only manufacturer that we have seen that offers a docking cradle (this amounts to nothing more than a USB cable with a vertical mounted USB port) for the device. This is handy for desktop users, but the docking cradle will not be available for the DiskOnKey Pro until sometime next year.

We like the technology offered by the DiskOnKey Pro, and even though it does cost a little more than other solutions, it is a better value for the price. The DiskOnKeyPro is also available from M-System's partner Iomega as the Mini USB Drive, and the feature set is similar to that of the DiskOnKeyPro. Prices start at as little as $34.88 US for the 16 MB version, and go as high as $114.99 US for the 128 MB version. Locating the DiskOnKey Pro may be a little more difficult, as we even had problems finding a source from which to purchase this product. You can purchase the Iomega version in the Iomega store at www.iomega.com , and you can purchase the M-Systems version at the DiskOnKey website at www.diskonkey.com .