25 April 2006 by Judie Hughes USB Flash based memory drives come in so many shapes and styles these days, it's almost hard to remember the time when every computer didn't have a USB port and a floppy disk was the most convenient way to transfer files between computers. Considering that USB ports are the only type port common to every laptop and desktop anymore, and that finding a PCMCIA slots on both is no longer a given, having and using a USB based flash memory device makes sense. Today we'll take a look at one of the most unique and most convenient USB flash memory drives I have yet seen, the Walletex Wallet Flash. Measuring exactly 3.4" long from the tip of the USB plug to the card's other end x 2.13" wide x 0.07" thick, the Wallet Flash looks like a slightly thicker, oddly shaped credit card. Touted as being the "World's slimmest USB device", I would have to say that it's probably true since the next slimmest flash drive I've reviewed (the StealthSurfer) was 0.1" without it's plastic case; although the overall size of the StealthSurfer was much smaller. Look at me getting off track! Anyway... The USB connector is double-sided, meaning that the card will plug into a USB port from either direction - whichever works better for the user's particular setup. Specifications | Capacity and Performance: | 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB | | USB Interfaced: | USB 2.0, USB 1.1 Compatible
| | Data Retention: | Up to ten years | | OS Support: | Win XP, Win 2000, Windows ME, Win98/Win98SE (download driver here), Linux 2.4 and above, MAC OS 9.0 and higher | | Connector: | Double sided USB connector | | LED Indicator: | Functional green LED indicator | | Water Resistance: | Water Proof | There are also some further customizations which can be added when large quantities are ordered... | Surface Printing: | Customized or standard | | Magnetic Stripe: | Optional | | Customized Photo: | Optional | | Auto-Run and Non-Erasable Files: | Optional | Okay, maybe the "128MB" caption gave it away. But otherwise there is almost no difference between this memory device and the typical credit card. What that means to the user is that this is a memory card with few if any caveats - it won't fall off a keyring, it won't get confiscated at the airport, it is easy to store in something that a person will just about never forget - their wallet. Using the Wallet Flash is very easy - it simply plugs into an available USB port and is immediately shown as removable storage. Transferring files between a desktop computer and a laptop has never been easier, and the ability to flip the card in whatever direction is necessary to plug it in makes using the Wallet Flash quite convenient. Notice the light green LED between the words "Wallet" and "Flash" which will blink when the card is being accessed. On the website, the card is touted as being "strong and robust", its resistance to water is even shown in a picture where one is sitting in a glass of water. I suppose that property will come in handy on those occasions when some guy accidentally sends his wallet through the washer. Not that any of our readers would ever do that... My bigger concern would be how well the card does in extreme heat - like when a wallet is left sitting in a car on a summer afternoon, or how well the card will hold up over time to the pressure of being curved against some guy's bum, day after day. According to the Walletex site, the Wallet Flash is "temperature tolerant" and it's "unaffected by heat such as being left on a dashboard." The card does have a slight bit of flex, so I think it would probably do all right in the typical guy's wallet. Surprisingly enough, prices for larger capacity cards are fairly reasonable: 64MB is $16.49, 128MB is $19.99, 256MB is $27.99, 512MB is $42.99, 1GB is $64.99 and 2GB is $119.99. If you have been looking for a fool-proof method to always have remember a USB based flash memory device, then this may be your answer. Perfect for anyone with an empty credit card slot in their wallet, the Walletex Wallet Flash is a rugged and dependable method to transfer files between computers. If you have been looking for a customer give-away that won't be thrown away, or a business card that really makes a statement, bulk ordering is available. | 
