. This is an early review. Expect to see the drive available in a few weeks.
<p>For starters, the bow-tie-shaped compact key has an e-ink display on top letting you know your exact remaining capacity without even having to plug in the drive. The display is shatter-proof, too, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking if you toss it in your bag. That alone is worth buying this drive for, but Lexar didn’t stop there.
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Finally, Lexar pre-loaded the drive with the PowerToGo software platform. Basically, it works the same as the U3 platform, allowing you to load up the USB key with software that can be launched on any Windows PC.
When PowerToGo is launched (it can be set to start upon the key’s insertion or manually) it drops a small, movable toolbar on your desktop. A click on the icon in the center of the bar pops open the Start Menu giving you access to the apps you have stored on the drive. You’ll find links to launch Microsoft Office programs as well—Word, Excel and PowerPoint—as well as Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. However, these are not the full products, but links to launch the full versions if they are installed on the PC you’re using.
Again, this is a well-designed, well-executed USB flash drive and if you’re in the market for one that goes above and beyond simple mobile storage, you want the Lexar JumpDrive Mercury.
Great features, great price! Good review as well. I’m going to have to pick up one of these powerful Lexar jumpdrives.
This is interesting. I just bought one from Amazon.com and it does NOT include PowerToGo preinstalled. It has SecureII but nothing else on it. And the drive came with no CD or anything.
Searcing the Lexar site seems to indicate it might include PowerToGo but I don’t see it explicitly said anywhere.
Did I get cheated?
Bob