Dave's Favorites: Sony Micro Vault

Key chain-style memory storage devices aren't new. Over the last year or so, several pocket-size devices have surfaced that promise to make it easy to transfer files between computers. One of the most elegant of these gadgets comes from Sony. The Micro Vault is a USB 1.1 device that's no bigger than a finger and lets you exchange files with almost any computer that has a USB port. As long as you are using Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or the Mac OS 9.0 or higher, no drivers are needed. If you're using Windows 98, you'll need to install a supplied driver.

That's good news for digital image fans. If you want to show your vacation photos to friends, for example, just stick a Micro Vault into your PC's USB port, drag and drop the images onto the device, and then put it in your pocket. When you get to your destination, slide the Vault's USB connector into a PC and display the files.

On the downside, Sony's Micro Vault isn't cheap. I found a 64MB version of the Micro Vault at the PCWorld.com Product Finder for $66--that's more than a dollar per megabyte! The 128MB version was $100 when I checked. That's a lot more reasonable, but still more than what you'd pay for a comparable CompactFlash card. (Sony also offers 16MB and 32MB versions.) You're paying for convenience, though; the driverless, pocket-size, one-size-fits-all Micro Vault is one of the sweetest solutions I've seen.

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