Forward Solutions Migo
You can call it the Sybil of ultra-portable storage
U
SB flash memory keys have replaced floppy and Zip disks in
the ultra-portable storage arena. These convenient nubbins
are small, fast, and dependable, and need nothing but the
ubiquitous USB port to function. Even more importantly, a fine
USB key can be had for the price of a good steak dinner. It’s for
this very reason that we almost fell out of our chairs when we
first saw the Migo’s price tag. Two-hundred clams for a mere
256MB of storage?
As it turns out, the Migo is not just another key fob.
It’s actually best described as a “personality transport
device.” The key to the key is embedded software called
Pocket Login. This neat little program allows you to store
your Windows desktop, Internet Explorer favorites, and
OutlookOutlookOutlook inbox in the Migo. Once you’ve done so, you can carry this inbox in the Migo. Once you’ve done so, you can carry this
“personality” with you and transfer it to any PC you visit. The Migo can tote
the personalities of as many PCs as you can fit into its memory, and each
profile is protected from pry-
ing eyes by password and
encryption. All these features
definitely elevate the useful-
ness of USB storage devices
to a new level.
To pull off its fun tricks,
the Pocket Login program
hacks into its host PC’s
Registry file to coax it intoserving up your familiar workspace. When you log out,
the software returns the PC to its original state. A tiny
application (installed when you log in and deleted when
you log out) ensures that the host PC remains tidy and in
order in the event the personality transformation process is
interrupted. Scary as it may sound, the whole scheme actually
works quite well. We tried unplugging the Migo and rebooting at the
most inopportune times—all without ever logging out—and we never
experienced any ill effects.
Still, for all its novelty, we feel that the USB 1.1-based Migo is overpriced
and slow; a USB 2.0 makeover is sorely needed. Considering that faster
flash keys offering twice the capacity are readily available for less money,
we recommend the Migo only to people who specifically need Pocket
Login and all the benefits it has to offer.
—DWIGHT LOOIVerbatim Store ‘n’ Go
No, we didn’t test it on the Bonneville Salt Flats
T
his flash memory key is all about speed—good, old-fashioned speed.
Verbatim says the Store ‘n’ Go can gulp down data at a rate of 5MB/s,
and regurgitate its stomached contents at a blazing 8MB/s. These
numbers, if accurate, position the USB 2.0 device as possibly the fastest key
drive ever made.
Obviously, 8MB/s isn’t all that fast in the grand scheme of computing, but
it’s extremely fast for key-based data storage. The jump from USB 1.1 to USB
2.0 may have elevated the 1.5MB/s speed limit of USB devices to a strato-
spheric 60MB/s, but key drives themselves have remained throughput-lim-
ited. Indeed, despite the phenomenal bandwidth of the USB 2.0 bus, the first
USB 2.0 flash drives managed a meager 3MB/s or so of throughput. Over the
past year, speeds have improved a bit, but it would appear that development
has focused on larger capacities and not faster throughput. To put this in
clear terms, consider that today’s average USB 2.0 flash drive will man-
age a read speed of about 5MB/s, and a write speed of around 3MB/s.
A budget hard drive, meanwhile, will have no problems coughing up
content at faster than 35MB/s amid a symphony of whirling platters
and clattering swing arms.
Get the picture?
The upshot is that all flash drives are slow, but the Verbatim
is just a little less so. We find Verbatim’s claim of 8MB/s
to be accurate, though we clocked its write speeds at
a rather mundane 3.5MB/s. This isn’t the 5MB/s that
Verbatim boasts about, but is class-leading performance
nonetheless.
The Store ‘n’ Go comes in a rugged little package,and other than the placement of the key chain loop—which ensures that
you’ll lose the drive instead of the cap—there is little to complain about. A
USB extension cable is provided in case your system doesn’t have a front
USB port, and available capacities range from 32MB to 1GB.
If you’ve always complained about your USB’s pokey
performance, then, yeah, this might be just the replace-
ment you’ve been looking for.
—DWIGHT LOOIReviews
110 MAXIMUMPC DECEMBER 2003
the ultra-portable storage arena. These convenient nubbinsUSB key can be had for the price of a good steak dinner. It’s for
this very reason that we almost fell out of our chairs when we
first saw the Migo’s price tag. Two-hundred clams for a meredevice.” The key to the key is embedded software called
This neat little program allows you to storeinbox in the Migo. Once you’ve done so, you can carry thisserving up your familiar workspace. When you log out,
the software returns the PC to its original state. A tiny
application (installed when you log in and deleted when
you log out) ensures that the host PC remains tidy and in
order in the event the personality transformation process is
interrupted. Scary as it may sound, the whole scheme actually
works quite well. We tried unplugging the Migo and rebooting at the
most inopportune times—all without ever logging out—and we never
experienced any ill effects.Transports your PC’s look and feel to other computers,
robust software implementation, password protection.CHOCOLATE FUDGESEWAGE SLUDGE
Slow transfer speeds, pricey.
$150 (128MB), $200 (256MB), http://www.4migo.comMAXIMUMPC VERDICT 7
The fastest USB 2.0 flash drive we have tested thus
far. Tiny yet rugged design.VERBATIMPARAPHRASE
If you are to lose any part of the unit, it will likely
to be the drive itself and not the cap.
$29 to $350 for sizes from 32MB to 1GB
http://www.verbatim.comMAXIMUMPC VERDICT 9
Vendors differ
on whether the
key-chain loop
should hold the
drive or its cap.
Verbatim went with
the latter.USB 2.0 flash drives managed a meager 3MB/s or so of throughput. Over the
past year, speeds have improved a bit, but it would appear that development
has focused on larger capacities and not faster throughput. To put this in
clear terms, consider that today’s average USB 2.0 flash drive will man-
age a read speed of about 5MB/s, and a write speed of around 3MB/s.content at faster than 35MB/s amid a symphony of whirling plattersand other than the placement of the key chain loop—which ensures that
you’ll lose the drive instead of the cap—there is little to complain about. A
USB extension cable is provided in case your system doesn’t have a front
USB port, and available capacities range from 32MB to 1GB.
If you’ve always complained about your USB’s pokeyshould hold the
drive or its cap.
Verbatim went with
the latter.Actual sizeYou’ll pay a premium for the unique features
included in the Migo’s embedded spftware.Actual sizeNOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS, WE MAY HAVE TO KILL YOU
S
ecret Agent Sam Fisher just added a new weapon to his
arsenal—a rubber-coated DiskOnKey designed to slide
down his throat like an oyster and some time later plop
out his backside like a Nachos Supreme from Taco Bell. Of
course, most overseas operatives hope to never have to
swallow a USB key, as there’s always a chance it will come
out sideways. Talk about sacrifi cing for your country.
Seriously though, M-Systems has built a few variants
of its ubiquitous DiskOnKey for foreign governments and
spy agencies. The consumable rubber-coated key is the sim-
plest iteration, but another government keeps its USB keys
contained in bomb-proof titanium canisters that weigh 35
pounds apiece. These shells can supposedly survive every-
thing from being run over by a train to a nuclear blast, keep-
ing the top-secret information within intact. We’d show you a
picture of these devices, but then we’d... well, you know.