Conclusion: Performance Or Size?
The test results are as clear as day: while the Hana Micron Axis Mobile Disk scores points above all for its extremely compact dimensions, the Kanguru Drive with USB 2.0 interface leaves the competition standing. At just under 8 MB/s, also does wonders for user patience, even for large quantities of data. For example, while a 64 MB drive on USB 1.1 and approx. 800 kB/s is completely written in 1:20 minutes, it would take a painfully slow 11 minutes with a 512 MB drive. By comparison, a Kanguru drive of the same size with USB 2.0 takes just slightly more than a minute.
While we're on the subject, we'd also like to draw on the comparison with a CD-R here, because many users currently favor the CD-R above the low transfer rates of USB flash drives. With a modern CD burner, 500 MB can be written in a matter of minutes. Now the Kanguru USB 2.0 can take on the task in a much quicker and more environmentally friendly fashion.
On one point, however, IMC has potential for improvement: with these dimensions, the Axis Mobile Disk, from the Korean manufacturer Hana Micron, clearly beats the Kanguru with regard to compactness. So if you're looking for a storage medium that you can take just about anywhere - so that you can quickly download data at work or at friends' and copy and just take it with you - the Axis Mobile Disk is the one best suited for you. It can vanish into the smallest bags, while the Kanguru takes up far more space.
Our recommendation: up to 128 MB with USB 1.1 is no problem. But as soon as you need larger capacities, you should make the move to USB 2.0, even if this may involve greater costs.
