Verbatim USB Drive Review: Store 'n' Go 512MB

Verbatim Store 'n' Go 512MB Full Review

In prepping for our CEDIA coverage this year one of the things I wanted was an easy way to carry helpful website and graphics files around with me during the show. As you can probably guess, lugging a laptop around is not my definition of a good time during a convention - and CDs are kind of bulky by today's standards. No, a better solution is the use of a smaller, portable drive. The new Store 'n' Go USB flash drive from Verbatim proved to be an invaluable remedy to my data storage needs.

The drive is available in 32 MB, 64 MB , 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB sizes. It is very small, weighing in at only 0.5 ounces - only about twice the weight of my wedding band. Now that's light! It can connect directly to any computer with a USB port, but being a USB 2.0 device, you'll be much better off using a newer computer that is equipped with that technology. It even comes with a USB extension cable, ensuring that you'll never have to bend down or go behind the PC to use your drive.

Speed Tests

For this review, our test system was an Athlon 2500+ Barton with 1MB RAM running Windows XP SP1. USB 2.0 was utilized for the Verbatim drive tests with no other devices present on the channel.

Here is a quick data transfer comparison between USB 1.1 and 2.0 (using the potential maximums for each item):

As you can see, transferring data with a USB 2.0 compatible flash drive is highly advantageous compared to USB 1.1 as it offers about 5 times the potential transfer speeds. The current batch of USB drives are not using the full potential of the USB 2.0 spec (due to typical ramp up time needed for the technology to eventually match the potential of the specification). I ran some various real world tests including the transfer of a fairly complex 500 MB set of files. The results are charted below:

For those interested in more stringent benchmark testing, WinBench 99 gauged the measured transfer rate from the drive unit at 4.55MB/sec transfer rate, or 36.4Mbits/s on our system.

Features & Ergonomics

The device itself is very well constructed, though the outer shell is entirely made of a reanslucent red plastic (with a thin silver colored band that goes around the perimeter of the drive.) Verbatim really did a good job of minimizing the size of the unit and making it look pretty cool in the process (the flashing red activity LED looks high-tech from within the unit and also serves to inform you when the device is able to be safely removed from the USB port). The decision to place the lanyard/keychain anchor on the cap as opposed to the USB drive section was a toss-up. To me, I'd prefer the safety of having the "guts" of the device secured to the lanyard or keychain, however Verbatim opted for the ease of removing the unit from the secured cap so that it could easily be plugged into a computer and then reattached. For what it's worth, the cap fits nice and snug and never came loose in any of the time that I've been using it. In addition, if you are still concerned, Verbatim's Store 'n' Go Pro line or their standard Verbatim USB Drive line offers versions with the anchoring position on the hardware side.

Security on the Go

Using supplied software you can format and partition the Store 'n' Go USB drive to allow only a portion of the drive to be read by just anybody. The rest can be partitioned off for password-protected access only. This is done through the use of software which, as part of its functionality, writes an executable installer to the USB's public partition, allowing you to install the decryption side to any host computer you wish to utilize the drive on. While this may not be a perfect solution for everyone, it does allow the unit to be carried around without too much fear of your sensitive data being accessible should you misplace or lose the drive. Note - this software only needs to be installed should you wish to password protect your USB drive, WindowsXP will automatically install the standard drivers to allow you to access the drive under normal use.

Conclusion

Verbatim's Store 'n' Go USB drive is an excellent product that performs nearly as well as advertised (and given differing systems and all of the potential variables it performed as well as I could expect.) USB drives are almost certainly the solution of choice for those wanting to obtain fast portability on the go. The Store 'n' Go is a great performer, and one that is among the smallest in its category. I'd love to see a higher-end metal cased version for serious users (perhaps only available in 1GB+ sizes) with some kind of security latch to prevent any loss of the unit if attached to a keychain. With so many different opinions and preferences, a larger choice of "shells" for the guts of the USB drive may not be a bad idea.

Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB Drive

MSRP: $154

Verbatim Corporation
1200 West W.T.
Harris Blvd.
Charlotte , NC 28262
(800) 538-8589
http:/www.verbatim.com/

Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim® has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 30 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry. Customer-driven, Verbatim is known for adding considerable product value--above and beyond its competitors--to established media technology. As an industry pioneer, Verbatim is recognized for the role it plays in early product development and commercial product introduction of new technologies. Verbatim's leadership role is especially apparent in the evolution of optical media recording including MO and the CD/DVD family of products.

Along with its technological innovations, Verbatim has always been recognized universally for its superior manufacturing practices. Verbatim was the first media company to receive ISO certification, the de facto standard for quality management systems worldwide. This commitment to quality translates into consistent product performance and reliability. In addition, Verbatim provides toll-free technical support and service to enable its customers to maximize the performance of its products. As a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation , a recognized world leader in the chemical and computer industries, Verbatim is ideally positioned to take advantage of changes in the market while continuing to challenge the frontiers of data storage.

The Score Card

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:

Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating

Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.

Audioholics Rating Scale

• — Excellent
• — Very Good
• — Good
• — Fair
• — Poor

Metric	Rating
Network Features/Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics & Usability
Ease of Setup/Programming/Integration
Features
Performance
Value