The Walletex credit card USB flash drive

We've been around the credit card sized USB drive merry-go-round a few times, but unless you're ready to really bulk up your wallet, you're probably not going to slip any of those into your back pocket anytime soon. The times they are a-changin' however, with the Walletex Wallet Flash drive finally nearing the actual thickness of a credit card, sporting USB 2.0, weighing 12 grams, and ranging in capacity from 128MB to 2GB. The cards start at $29.

[Thanks, Yossi]

[butkus @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

who wants that in there wallet? i could fit a hundred of them in my purse..

-some guy

[LiGy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Looks like the USB connector bit could be snapped off pretty easily, like say if you dropped your wallet. It'd be far better if the connector retracted or folded away, rather than jut out obtrusively like it does now.

[irieblue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I keep a 128 MB PQI memory stick in my walled at All times. See a picture from target here http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-9898947-7528123?asin=B00061MNNU&AFID=Froogle&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 . It has pictures of my Kid on it along with other vital info. It's a security blanket that should i be anywhere and my kid goes missing, I have all the info including high res images handy..

[Churn @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Try inserting one of these into some desktops like HPs - the USB ports in front are recessed in, and width of the card would prevent the connector part to slot in. Maybe a dumb design from HP, but peripheral manufacturers have to take that into account.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

And you can store it in your PCI slot tray.

[fogd00d @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I like this comment on the manufacturer's website:

"Strong and robust � will remain serviceable for years"

I know of a few first-generation Hyundais that are still serviceable. In fact, they still see a lot of services. "Serviceable" isn't exactly the best term here, fellas.

Also, no mention of that USB connector retracting, which pretty much limits it from slipping into any wallet I've ever owned.

Realistically, this is more of a corporate branding gift (read: schwag) according to the positioning on the vendor's site:

"Large double sided branding area � more than any other UFD"
"Daily use � your brand is out every time it�s used"

... than a device one would CHOOSE to buy.

[Alex Ezell @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

A much better alternative is the LaCie Carte Orange. 8gb capacity. As thick as two credit cards with the same dimensions as a card. Comes with a nice little dongle that slides into its little case end. Also includes a USB extension. Only $149. I love mine!

http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10268

[Special_K @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Hmmmm... I seem to remember a device that was /actually/ the size of a credit card, completely flexible like one, and capable of storing 5Gb of data. Whatever happened to it. I belive it was called the storcard...

Oh, here it is:
"Credit Card-Size Hard Drive Can Hold 5GB
Cheap, thin, flexible StorCard expected to become available this year." (n.b: this year=2003)
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,108816,00.asp

www.storcard.com

[Adnan Osmani @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

If youve ever opened up a USB flash drive, youll notice that the actual storage chip barely takes up any space at all. If you want a credit card sized flash drive heres a do-it-yourself

1. Slide a flat screwdriver between the melt lines on your drive and create a chizzeled in channel

2. Once there is enough room to get the tip of your screwdriver in, edge it in and remove the outer plastic.

3. Thats it (unless you want to use an iron saw to chip away the usb top) - the usb chip will work fine as long as its connected to the USB [= ] connector, and will be about the size of a credit card

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

omg, that thing is huge! it also looks like the connector could snap off so easy.

like #3, irieblue, I'm a big fan of PQI Intelligent Sticks. I bought two 1GB sticks from newegg in Aug '04 for about $70 each. Looks like newegg only has the 512MB version for sale now...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820214013

[raindog @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

That LaCie thing is 6mm thick. That's about a quarter inch. I just pulled four credit cards and three store affinity cards out of my wallet and they still didn't come to a quarter inch thick.

This Walletex thing even looks thinner than 6mm.