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SanDisk 2 GB Cruzer Micro with U3 ( SDCZ6-2048-A10, Retail Package) | 
 enlarge | Brand: SanDisk
Category: CE
List Price: $79.99
Buy New: $3.97
You Save: $76.02 (95%)
New (33) from $3.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  125 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 2 x 0.8 x 0.3
MPN: SDCZ6-2048-A10
Model: SDCZ6-2048-A10
UPC: 619659025380
EAN: 0619659025380
Release Date: March 16, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | High-speed, compact, USB flash drive for storing or transferring data, pictures, music, etc. | | • | Large 2GB storage capacity holds nearly 3 CDs worth of data | | • | Loaded with U3 software including CruzerSync synchronization software, SignupShield password manager, Skype VOIP client, and AVAST antivirus | | • | Conveniently small -- just 7.94mm x 20.6mm x 57.15mm (D x W x L) | | • | USB 2.0-certified for fast data transfer (compatible with USB 1.1) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Cruzer Micro is an incredibly small USB Flash Drive that connects to a computer's USB port. You can easily store their key documents, pictures, music and video clips on a Cruzer Micro and transfer them to another computer with a USB port. Cruzer Micro is small, portable, and smart. Small, compact size fits on any keychain. New retractable USB port eliminates the need for caps and protects your port. Cruzer Micro provides the latest in UFD technology, a U3 Smart capable flash drive. Cruzer Micro is a computer in your pocket. Loaded with the following U3 programs - CruzerSync synchronization tool, SignupShield password manager, SKYPE voice over IP software, AVAST virus scan Dimensions - Depth 7.94mm x Width 20.6mm x Length 57.15mm
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| Customer Reviews: Read 120 more reviews...
 Example of Over-Engineering June 8, 2006
138 out of 199 found this review helpful
The following review pertains to the 1GB version, which is the same drive physically and has the same software...
I bought this drive recently from CompUSA. I wanted to upgrade from my 512MB Cruzer. Well, I should have stuck with the 512MB until Sandisk came out with something better. Or I should have bought another manufacturer's flash drive, at a different store. What follows is a description of the SanDisk Cruzer Micro with U3, followed by a description of my interactions with CompUSA.
PROBLEMS WITH THE SANDISK CRUZER MICRO U3
My first issue was getting the Cruzer out of its ridiculous packaging. You have to cut and tear away at the hard plastic case before you can get inside. In doing this, I ended up ripping apart the bar code. There were other defects with the product (read below). But when I tried to bring it back to CompUSA, guess what they tell me? They won't give me a refund because the bar code is destroyed (more on that later)!!!
The first two or three times I used this drive, the slider worked fine. But after about five uses, the slider would no longer stay extended. Every time I inserted the drive into the USB port it retracted, making it impossible to get the drive in without holding it together with my fingers. This was enough of a reason to bring the unit back to CompUSA.
But there's more...
SanDisk has installed a software application called "U3" on the Cruzer 1GB Micro. This software loads automatically every time you insert the drive. It load very slowly, and you have to sit there looking at the U3 startup window. When U3 finally does start up, it takes you to another window which you have close to continue working.
But that's not all...
After you're done starting up the U3 application, you will see that it also installs an extra drive in Windows Explorer. You have the drive for the Cruzer itself, but there is another one that appears as a CD. It causes confusion every time you explore your computer, since you have to remember that this is for the Cruzer, and not an actual CD drive. There does not seem to be a single use for this extra drive, except to take up space and cause confusion.
But we're still not done...
When you want to eject the Cruzer, you MUST use the U3 application. You CANNOT use the Windows XP "Safely Remove Hardware" option. In fact, if you fail to use U3 to "eject" the Cruzer, you get an error message next time you insert it. This causes further confusion, since you can't tell if this was a real error or just a quirk.
We're not done yet...
You might think, "Well, I'll just delete the U3 application." Think again. If you manage to delete the U3 software, the Cruzer simply re-installs it next time you insert the drive, and you start all over again.
This is pure over-engineering. Why would the people at SanDisk take a simple concept and ruin it by adding this extra layer of complication? Like most users, I like to insert a flash drive and then access it. I don't want to run a whole application every time I insert the flash drive, and I certainly don't want it installing all sorts of applications on my computer. I'm just baffled by this. Are the engineers and programmers at SanDisk starving for something to do with their time?
Those of you who are only interested in reading about the Cruzer 1GB Micro can stop here. What comes next is a description of my interaction with CompUSA.
DEALING WITH COMPUSA
As I mentioned earlier, I tried to return this unit to CompUSA. I was in for some more fun. They would not take the drive back, because, as I mentioned earlier, the bar code was ripped when I was forced to tear apart the impossible plastic packaging that SanDisk uses for this drive.
The people at CompUSA outright refused to take the Cruzer back, telling me that because of the missing bar code they could not send it back to Sandisk. It didn't matter that I have been a loyal customer of CompUSA for years and have spent a lot of money at that store on computers, software, and accessories. They offered me no support at all. All they would offer me is the option of an even exchange. In other words, all I could do is get another one of these ridiculous things.
I took the exchange for a new drive from CompUSA. So far, the slider on the replacement unit works. But I still have to contend with the moronic U3 application.
My advice is to keep away from the Sandisk 1MB Cruzer. And certainly do not buy it from CompUSA.
 Deceived !! May 9, 2006
94 out of 94 found this review helpful
The Ultra3 software that auto launches from this USB drive does indeed install software on every pc you plug it into. It does not ask before installing. It automatically launches when you plug it in and creates a c:\documents and settings\user\application data\u3 subdirectory. This directory does not disappear when the device is ejected. This was confirmed by SanDisk Tech Support after they told me it left no trace initially. For me this is unacceptable as I use it on PCs that are not my own. When the drive is plugged in it creates a CD drive and a removable drive. The CD drive is where U3 software auto launches from. To stop it from auto launching you have to get rid of the CD partition. That tool is not provided by SanDisk but if you look around on th internet you can find it. The RAM is this drive is also very slow.
 Fast and small May 2, 2006
27 out of 32 found this review helpful
This is what I've come to expect from Sandisk: a reliable memory that I can use pretty much everywhere.
Sizewise, this unit is good. It is not as tiny as the non-U3 cruzer micro, but it is smaller than the Cruzer mini. The USB connector retracts, therefore there is no cap to lose :)
The performance of this unit is very good. I was able to transfer a 750Mb file in about 90 seconds on a Mac. Deleting was extremely fast, in the 1-2 second range. So, if you want a larger drive, this is the way to go, instead of the non-U3 micro.
With the drive, you also get U3 support. Windows will recognize part of the drive as a read-only unit. Software will trick Windows into thinking this is a CD-ROM, and windows will start the U3 tray application via auto-run (hold "shift" while inserting the drive to avoid it).
In this drive, you can carry many portable applications (take a look at [..] and[..]. I use it as a emergency backup tool, I have a small linux installed on it, so I can boot any computer via USB and perform diagnostics and repair.
Be aware that U3 support is not needed to run portable applications. All you need is disk space. Therefore, you will be able to install applications in pretty much any USB flash drive.
 Very fast drive. U3 software is terrible, but removable! October 10, 2006
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
Just FYI, on Mac OS X, it formats down to 1.78GB. (which is standard loss for any formatted drive).
First the good. This drive is very fast! I was able to copy a 500MB file to it in less than a minute! It's the fastest USB drive I've used. It has a small protective case, solid feel, a bright amber status light when plugged in, and a retractable USB plug. And it's reasonably priced.
Now the bad. If you have horizontal USB ports (like iBooks/Powerbooks/Mac Books), the drive is too wide to use next to an occupied port. You must unplug any USB devices next to it to make room. The supplied "U3" is useless for Macs. The drive always shows up as two separate drives on your desktop (which is annoying). Contrary to other reviews, SanDisk's tech support replied to an email within 24 hours and gave me instructions on how to eliminate the U3 partition. Unfortunately, the instructions are for Windows XP only (which isn't that big of a deal since I have an Intel iMac with Boot Camp). But users with older Macs will have to find a friend with a PC.
In a nutshell, this is a fast USB drive from a trusted brand name in memory devices. But ditch the U3 as soon as you buy it, it's pure (useless) marketing hype.
Don't panic! This is a great value! March 22, 2007
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
Stop panicking! If you don't want ANY removable media to run---not just flash drives, but CDs, DVDs, floppies, anything---just hold Shift after you've inserted it. The complainers here obviously didn't know about this standard Windows shortcut.
Yes, I question SanDisk's decision to include auto-running "portable desktop" functionality by default. Obviously, though, they thought they were helping people, offering them something of value at no extra charge.
If you don't EVER want the Cruzer's auto-run functionality, just download SanDisk's U3 Launchpad Removal Tool from their website and run it. Voila---you have a blank USB drive to use however you wish. (You can Google "U3 Launchpad Removal Tool" to quickly find the tool's webpage.)
If you're really geeky, you can even use a repartitioning tool to reclaim the Cruzer's tiny (~5MB) system partition (which SanDisk adds to make Windows think it's CD and enable AutoPlay).
I think the Cruzer's an outstanding value. When I was in L.A. this week, I couldn't pass up this name-brand, 2-GB flash drive, on sale at Staples for $25! I suspect the price has been driven down so low because so many people have complained about the built-in (and, as I've pointed out, optional) software. If so, the rest of us win. It's a terrific deal.
By the way, AutoPlay is one of the first things I turn off after installing XP. If you're tired of holding Shift each time you insert removable media, get Microsoft's free TweakUI utility from their website---which, among many other things, lets you activate/deactivate AutoPlay on all of your removable drives. Why does it take extra software to do something so basic? No doubt Microsoft worried that people would turn off AutoPlay, then forget how to open a file window to run whatever they wanted to. But we're not that helpless, are we? (All together: "No!")
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