I was very quick to jump on the digital camera bandwagon, before Megapixel was even considered in a consumer camera. Since I had the removable flash memory early on I stopped using floppy and CD-R discs to move files. I would use my CF card and bring my reader along to transport semi-large documents. As the files grew so did the flash memory I had…all the way up to 1GB that I currently own. Now that digital cameras are everywhere almost everyone I know has some form of digital media reader on their PC.
When USB Pen Drives started gaining popularity I stayed away because I already had an easy solution that worked well for me. I would either use my CF card or any MS I had lying around from my Clie or Cybershot.
One day a friend brought over his Fuji 256MB Pendrive. I was impressed with how small and simple it was to use and saw how rugged it was and thought that I really needed one too.
I don’t usually need more then 128 at a time so I went looking for a decent 128 drive. I stayed away from the SanDisk Cruiser because of problems I heard about Windows not always detecting the drive…which is a shame because it is very small and compact.
I saw a PNY 128 MB drive for a decent price so I picked it up. I had it for around 6 months when I decided I wanted a Sony one, just because it’s Sony.
I ordered the Sony USM-128U2 from SonyStyle for $69.99. At this point 128 drives are normally going for $40 or less depending on the brand and the sale. I have seen the PNY for as low as $19.99 at Best Buy. As we all know Sony will generally be more expensive.
Now, for the pictures:
As you can see the Sony one is almost twice as thick as the PNY. This looks like an issue, especially when you think that you need to plug it into a USB port but when you remove Sony’s cap it becomes as thin as the PNY. They both have removable covers that seem to hold well and don’t fall out in your pocket.
On of my biggest complaints was with the lack of included neck string with the Sony. The one you see in the picture is a Pentax Neck string I bought off of ebay for around $10 shipped. The PNY one included the string. I called Sony before buying oe on ebay but was told they don’t sell one for the unit. The string that comes with the clie’s and cybershots are just the wrong size for this application.
That being said, both units act very similar. Both are USB 2.0, both always show up on XP without drivers.
Overall, unless you really want the Sony name go with another brand, the Sony is very large, too expensive, and does not include basic accessories.
I’d say 2 out of 5 starts, it does what it’s supposed to, just not worth the money when other options are available.
Thanks,
Erik
