Quick recommends, part 1
DiskOnKey - A mass storage device, the best of several currently available alternatives providing high-capacity and fast flash memory in a small plastic case about the size of a Bic lighter. No power supply needed. Connects to any computer that has a USB port, automatically installs and assigns a drive letter which then serves as a logical drive. Windows 2000, Windows XP, and MacOS will recognize the device and automatically install the driver. Cross-platform; works on both Wintel and Mac. Several models, capacity 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 MB. Other brands do offer 512 MB, 1 GB and even 2 GB capacity; it is likely that DiskOnKey will expand its offerings in the future.
The smaller-capacity units are dirt cheap -- about $30 for the 8 MB device. I bought one with 128 MB of capacity for $90 through the Apple Store. Using this device means that you don't care if your laptop doesn't have a floppy drive. It means that you can laugh at floppy disks, Zip drives, and other prosthetic media devices.
The DiskOnKey is sometimes sold as a co-branded device, under such names as the Targus Go-Anywhere (marked up about 30%), the IBM MemoryKey and the FujiFilm USBDrive. Iomega has just been added as a new co-branding partner; this leads me to suspect that Iomega recognizes that this device will be a strong competitor to the Zip drive. (Zips are not going the way of the dinosaur, however. The Zip disk is replaceable media.)
I did a careful survey of reviews and found that users rate this company highest for satisfaction with the product and for its technical support and response. The other ranged from average to abysmal. One user reported that the device accidentally went through the washer but lost none of its data. The DiskOnKey includes a tiny CPU in the device, unlike the others, significantly speeding up data transfer. This device allows the user to designate a part or all of the drive for password protection.
See the review at the ExHardware site and the reviews (first, second) by Walter Mossberg.
11:30:30 PM 
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