It seems that the mobile storage equipment market is growing to be a hotspot in the computer peripheral market.
Not too long ago (October in fact), Fujitsu Siemens Computers released its Memorybird portable storage device. While on the pricey side (a 16MB device would cost you R480), it offered an easy-to-use and small storage option for users who absolutely had to carry all their information with them wherever they went.
Now local EasyDisk distributor, SCS Distribution, has announced the EasyDisk Flash Universal Serial Bus (USB) Drive. Essentially, it works according to the same principles as the Memorybird. Users plug the device into an available USB slot, copy files to the drive and take it with them on the road.
Plug-and-play woes
Unfortunately, the device is not entirely plug-and-play. Windows 2000 detects the device without any problems, but requires a device driver for the EasyDisk to work. This means that a user needs to install the driver before connecting an EasyDisk drive to a PC.
This should not normally be a problem but the nature of the product dictates otherwise. Having to carry a driver disk with the EasyDisk defeats the purpose of the exercise and detracts from what is otherwise a very useful product.
The benefits
The product is much slimmer and smaller than the already tiny Memorybird, meaning that it can easily be plugged into what is normally a cluttered USB panel at the back of a PC. However, it ships with an extension cable to eliminate the need for constantly fiddling in the nether regions of your machine. You do not need to be concerned about running out of batteries for the EasyDisk since the drive is USB-powered.
Another advantage of the EasyDisk is that it works on any recent kernel of Linux. It seems that too often peripheral manufacturers have neglected the Linux operating system, or made it as difficult as possible for Linux users to install new hardware on their machines.
The EasyDisk also features Flash Manager software that allows you to password-protect the drive, format it (taking between two and three minutes) and check for any drive errors that may occur. Filling the 128MB variant of the EasyDisk took me four minutes and dumping the entire contents of the drive on my hard drive took a speedy three minutes.
The verdict
Unfortunately, the EasyDisk suffers from two major problems, the price and the driver issue, which will probably restrict its sales. However, its Linux support and tiny form-factor will see early adopters waiting to grab hold of one (especially the 1GB model that should be unveiled soon).
Word from the company is that new versions of the EasyDisk feature full plug-and-play usability. This will go a long way in converting sceptical users, but the price may still deter all but the most gadget-hungry consumers.
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