AMP 16GB Wink micro pico USB Flash Drive

Comment: I bought this to carry Linux around in my pocket so I could use it where ever I am. It is the right size and I like it.

Comment: Recieved flash drive in perfect working condition. Few weeks later accidentally killed it through formatting errors, returned it, and recieved new one within a week.

Comment: On paper, this device is wonderful: Incredibly small, no moving parts, easily added to a keychain.
This device worked fine for several weeks, but then started to significantly fail.

After MOVING (not copying, but MOVING) data to the device, the device started failing in multiple ways.
-Windows XP kept complaining that the device was write protected, on a read operation!
-Several directories were visibly corrupted.
-Many data files could not be copied off the device.
-Access to several directories on the device hung Explorer.

At this point, I have some critical files that are likely lost forever. If the device failed during the write and notified the OS, I could have prevented the data loss. Instead, the device catastrophically failed after only five weeks. I also don't even have the option to reformat the device for additional use, as Windows XP believes the device is write-protected.

I have an email into the manufacturer to seek support, but their web site is very minimal, and calling their number immediately goes to voicemail. If I get a reasonable response to my support request, I will update this review. Otherwise, I highly advise you stay away from this product (and perhaps anything from Active Media Products).

Comment: Update 2/14/2010

Again, "USB device not recognized"
"One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. For assistance in solving this problem, click this message."

This little thing is really a piece of junk, not stable at all. Will return it for sure. Downgrade my previous rating to 1.

2/12/2010
At the beginning Windows does not recognize it, saying a "malfunction USB device ...".

Unplug, replug, repartition, reformat to NTFS instead of FAT32, seems working now. If the "malfunction" prblem happen again I will have to return it.

then I did some write speed test (using Windows 7):

Copy a 7.32 GB huge file to it, averaged 11.1Mb/sec;
Copy a 4.37 GB huge file to it, averaged 10.3Mb/sec;
Copy a directory (1.41GB with 1683 files and 455 folders), averaged 3.57 MB/sec;
Copy a smaller direcotry (281 MB with 68 files and 15 folders), averaged 4.76 MB/sec.

However, this thing does not come with an read/write indicator (LED light or whatever) and is not convenient in some case, therefore I downgrade it to 3 stars instead of 4 stars.

Comment: delivered in the mail in a few days, before expected delivery date, which is always nice. comes in padded package in a small box that also was padded. includes a keyring and mini-lanyard. read and write times are pretty average, not great, but not bad either. i haven't tested the water-proof-ness, not sure if i will intentionally, although it looks like it would be fine. the only thing is the finish on top doesnt play nice with hard things such as keys and putting it in the usb port itself. some light scratching. but this is very, very minor. overall i love this thing, they really are tiny, and feel very solid. oh and one more thing, it reads out to like 15 gigs empty, not 16.