SanDisk 2 GB Cruzer Micro ( SDCZ6-2048-A10, Retail Package) by SanDisk
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Digital camera reviews of SanDisk 2 GB Cruzer Micro ( SDCZ6-2048-A10, Retail Package)
Digital camera Review: Example of Over-Engineering
Summary: 1 Stars
The following review pertains to the 1GB version, which is the same drive physically and has the same software...
I bought this drive recently from CompUSA. I wanted to upgrade from my 512MB Cruzer. Well, I should have stuck with the 512MB until Sandisk came out with something better. Or I should have bought another manufacturer's flash drive, at a different store. What follows is a description of the SanDisk Cruzer Micro with U3, followed by a description of my interactions with CompUSA.
PROBLEMS WITH THE SANDISK CRUZER MICRO U3
My first issue was getting the Cruzer out of its ridiculous packaging. You have to cut and tear away at the hard plastic case before you can get inside. In doing this, I ended up ripping apart the bar code. There were other defects with the product (read below). But when I tried to bring it back to CompUSA, guess what they tell me? They won't give me a refund because the bar code is destroyed (more on that later)!!!
The first two or three times I used this drive, the slider worked fine. But after about five uses, the slider would no longer stay extended. Every time I inserted the drive into the USB port it retracted, making it impossible to get the drive in without holding it together with my fingers. This was enough of a reason to bring the unit back to CompUSA.
But there's more...
SanDisk has installed a software application called "U3" on the Cruzer 1GB Micro. This software loads automatically every time you insert the drive. It load very slowly, and you have to sit there looking at the U3 startup window. When U3 finally does start up, it takes you to another window which you have close to continue working.
But that's not all...
After you're done starting up the U3 application, you will see that it also installs an extra drive in Windows Explorer. You have the drive for the Cruzer itself, but there is another one that appears as a CD. It causes confusion every time you explore your computer, since you have to remember that this is for the Cruzer, and not an actual CD drive. There does not seem to be a single use for this extra drive, except to take up space and cause confusion.
But we're still not done...
When you want to eject the Cruzer, you MUST use the U3 application. You CANNOT use the Windows XP "Safely Remove Hardware" option. In fact, if you fail to use U3 to "eject" the Cruzer, you get an error message next time you insert it. This causes further confusion, since you can't tell if this was a real error or just a quirk.
We're not done yet...
You might think, "Well, I'll just delete the U3 application." Think again. If you manage to delete the U3 software, the Cruzer simply re-installs it next time you insert the drive, and you start all over again.
This is pure over-engineering. Why would the people at SanDisk take a simple concept and ruin it by adding this extra layer of complication? Like most users, I like to insert a flash drive and then access it. I don't want to run a whole application every time I insert the flash drive, and I certainly don't want it installing all sorts of applications on my computer. I'm just baffled by this. Are the engineers and programmers at SanDisk starving for something to do with their time?
Those of you who are only interested in reading about the Cruzer 1GB Micro can stop here. What comes next is a description of my interaction with CompUSA.
DEALING WITH COMPUSA
As I mentioned earlier, I tried to return this unit to CompUSA. I was in for some more fun. They would not take the drive back, because, as I mentioned earlier, the bar code was ripped when I was forced to tear apart the impossible plastic packaging that SanDisk uses for this drive.
The people at CompUSA outright refused to take the Cruzer back, telling me that because of the missing bar code they could not send it back to Sandisk. It didn't matter that I have been a loyal customer of CompUSA for years and have spent a lot of money at that store on computers, software, and accessories. They offered me no support at all. All they would offer me is the option of an even exchange. In other words, all I could do is get another one of these ridiculous things.
I took the exchange for a new drive from CompUSA. So far, the slider on the replacement unit works. But I still have to contend with the moronic U3 application.
My advice is to keep away from the Sandisk 1MB Cruzer. And certainly do not buy it from CompUSA.
Digital camera Review: Excellent product!
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent product! This is a very good item. Maybe you will not like the U3 system, but you can remove it. The total memory is really around 1.94 GbDigital camera Review: Fast and small
Summary: 5 Stars
This is what I've come to expect from Sandisk: a reliable memory that I can use pretty much everywhere.
Sizewise, this unit is good. It is not as tiny as the non-U3 cruzer micro, but it is smaller than the Cruzer mini. The USB connector retracts, therefore there is no cap to lose :)
The performance of this unit is very good. I was able to transfer a 750Mb file in about 90 seconds on a Mac. Deleting was extremely fast, in the 1-2 second range. So, if you want a larger drive, this is the way to go, instead of the non-U3 micro.
With the drive, you also get U3 support. Windows will recognize part of the drive as a read-only unit. Software will trick Windows into thinking this is a CD-ROM, and windows will start the U3 tray application via auto-run (hold "shift" while inserting the drive to avoid it).
In this drive, you can carry many portable applications (take a look at [..] and[..]. I use it as a emergency backup tool, I have a small linux installed on it, so I can boot any computer via USB and perform diagnostics and repair.
Be aware that U3 support is not needed to run portable applications. All you need is disk space. Therefore, you will be able to install applications in pretty much any USB flash drive.
Digital camera Review: Fast, reliable
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently bought this drive and simply love it.
I like the design; it's pleasing to the eyes. I love the slider mechanism, which protects your USB without using a cap (which you may very well lose).
I've heard of problems about the slider not locking in, and that was a problem for me the first few times I used it. After awhile I managed to get it working.
This USB has fast transfer rates; something you just have to love. The U3 application was very easy to take out (right click > uninstall), and its ReadyBoost compatibility improved my computer's performance when I tested it.
The non-reflective finish scratches easily (not easily discernible, but there), but I "fixed" it by scratching the finish all in one direction, giving it a textured feel.
Digital camera Review: Feels really cheap. Activity light is too bright and big.
Summary: 2 Stars
I have owned or handled close to 10 different USB drives and this one feels the cheapest. If this were to be in a loose pocket and I were to sit on it, I am not so sure it would survive. It has a very light and cheap feeling case.
I also to not like the color of the activity light. Plus it is too bright and big. It lights up the whole white retracting switch an orangish red color. I use this for my USB mp3 player in my car and it is a little bright at night.