Home > Consumer Reviews > SimpleTech STI-USBMD/128 128MB Bonzai USB Mini Drive

Executive summary: 1.44 floppies are just not cutting it. I work with clients and don't want to lug around a CD burner to move files from my laptop to/from their network. I also don't always want to lug my laptop home. Enter Simpletech's Bonzai USB mini drive. It is awesome. If you are looking for high capacity and expandable computer storage in a small, portable, USB-based, no install hassle package, buy the Bonzai USB mini-drive now.

A few details . . .

Insert it into a USB port, wait about 2 seconds and WIN2K and WinXP (home and professional) pop up an acknowledgement of a new removable disk that it found. You use the USB drive just like a hard drive (drag and drop, etc.).

Here are some factoids I wish the product description (or picture) would have told me:
1) A 4 foot USB extension cable is included, which in my book eliminates any negative dealing with the fact that the USB ports on some computers are close together or very tight. (BTW I have a Compaq Presario with 2 USB's on the front and although it is tight the Bonzai works fine there without the extension, even with my mouse plugged in right beside it). Having to carrying a small cable is just not that big of deal folks.
2) It is very small. 2 1/2" long including the USB plug. 1 1/4" wide. 1/2" deep.
3) It is very light. About the weight of one Oreo Double Stuff cookie :)
4) The USB plug has a cap.
5) The case is heavy plastic.
6) A lanyard (i.e big shoestring looking thing that goes around your neck like a Referee's whistle) is included.
7) I have a 60MB zip file on my Bonzai right now which unzips faster than those on my hard drive. Did I mention the Bonzai is fast?
8) The whole thing seems solid and well made.

BTW, a guy I work with and I did some research. We both concluded that Bonzai is the answer to our goal of a slick way to quickly move files between computers, with zero install requirements (at least on Win2K and WinXP). He is very envious of me right now since he opted for the Sandisk Cruzer instead of the Bonzai (because Best Buy didn't have the Bonzai). I picked Bonzai and was delighted to find that amazon.com has it. The Cruzer is about 4-5 times bigger, and doesn't feel nearly as solid in my view.

I opted for the 128MB model instead of the 256MB or 512MB models for two simple reasons: 1) 128MB is enough for me for now (equal to 88 diskettes), 2) the price of Secure Disk (SD) is bound to keep tumbling so I'll pick up a 256 and/or 512 once the 1GB (and beyond) SD's come out and drive down their cost of their little brother and sister :)

Enjoy the Bonzai!

This one I use it as a combo reader/USB hard drive. The SD/MMC card inside can slide out easily. I use it with my IPAQ so I can transfer MP3 files quickly. Nice finish. The only drawback is this USB drive is a bit wide, so when you put it into a vertical USB slots (like my VAIO) one side tends to stuck on the table. It would not be a concern if your USB slot is placed horizontally. I find this USB drive is smaller then the Sandisk's cruzor but with similar functionality. Make sure you use it on a powered USB hub otherwise it does not work. Overall, its a solid product with competitive price.

I bought this drive because of the removable SD card. However, the drive has a couple of glaring flaws:

1. The first problem is that the male plug connector is too short. The drive won't seat in many USB slots without using the extension cord. If the plug was just a little longer--say, the same size as on the extension cord--it would fit.

2. The extension cord is way, way too long and bulky. The drive itself is small and easily carried in your pocket. But if you have to carry the extension cord with it, it's no longer easily portable.

Just extend the male plug (about 2/10 of a cent's worth of materials) and this would be an absolute winner!

I think the top advantage of the Bonzai Flash Drive is that it uses standard SD memory cards for storage, which means that if you want to expand the memory to a 1GB drive, you just buy a new card and pop it into the Bonzai Flash Drive. It comes with a USB extension cord and a strap, so for the price of a 128MB SD card and card reader, this makes the Bonzai Flash Drive a great deal!

Let me just say this little product is a great investment. It not only functions well, but is pretty tough too. Sure the form factor is a little bulky in certain USB port configurations, but the extension cord can cover you in a jam. The lifesaving feature that probably won't be promoted by the company is the ammount of abuse this thing can take! Being so compact, it fits in my coat pocket, my jeans pocket, and even a shirt pocket. As with other pocket items in my life, they run the risk of getting washed; and this unit is no exception.
No Joke, I washed this thing with my jeans and dried it in the dryer. When I saw it in the laundry basket I was really bummed. But wouldn't you know it, the thing worked like a champ, NO DATA LOSS. The case is a bit more faded and the thing smells a bit like ERA detergent, but hey, it works just fine.

Thanks for saving my data, even from myself Simpletech.