Introduction

I would like to thank Verbatim and Verbatim EUMEA for supplying the review sample.

The company sells all kinds of storage devices, from write once media like CD-R, DVD-R/+R and Blu-ray along with rewritable variants and USB 2.0 storage devices. Besides those you will also find products with USB 3.0, eSATA and Firewire connectivity.

A quote from the Verbatim USA website:

Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim® has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 30 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry.

Customer-driven, Verbatim is known for adding considerable product value--above and beyond its competitors--to established media technology. As an industry pioneer, Verbatim is recognized for the role it plays in early product development and commercial product introduction of new technologies. Verbatim's leadership role is especially apparent in the evolution of optical media recording including MO and the CD/DVD family of products.

Along with its technological innovations, Verbatim has always been recognized universally for its superior manufacturing practices. Verbatim was the first media company to receive ISO certification, the de facto standard for quality management systems worldwide. This commitment to quality translates into consistent product performance and reliability. In addition, Verbatim provides toll-free technical support and service to enable its customers to maximize the performance of its products.

As a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, a recognized world leader in the chemical and computer industries, Verbatim is ideally positioned to take advantage of changes in the market while continuing to challenge the frontiers of data storage.

We will be taking a look at the Store'n'Go Netbook USB 16 GB drive. This is a miniscule USB 2.0 flash drive, which you can install into a Netbook or Notebook and leave it there.

Features

• USB Drive designed to extend your Netbook's storage capacity,
• Can be left in the USB port semi-permanently,
• Password Protection Software Trial available for download,
• Free Technical Hotline Support,
• Verbatim 2 Year Limited Warranty.

Packaging

Verbatim ships all of their USB flash drives in a simple but colorful cardboard sandwich. It consists of two cardboard pieces which have been glued together, along with a plastic mold to hold the storage device itself. Since Verbatim has a very strong presence in the retail market, this packaging is ideal for store shelves. On the back you will find some basic marketing texts

A Closer Look

To show you the size of the Netbook USB stick, I have placed it on a standard DVD-R. As you can see, it is tiny and comparable to those micro receivers of modern wireless mice or the tiny Bluetooth USB dongles out there. It is amazing to see 16 GB stuffed into this small shell.


Taking a closer look at the Netbook USB Drive, it basically consists of the USB plug and that is it. There are no serial numbers on this metal part, just the capacity has been edged into it. This thing is so tiny, one may loose it fairly quickly if not left connected to the netbook or PC.


You will find the Verbatim logo on the top part of the stick. The black plastic cover is alright in terms of quality. Looking straight at the connector, we can see where the electronics and flash IC has been placed. It is actually part of the USB connector, as you can clearly see the different layers when looking at it.


Once connected it is really small enough to be left on there. I just worry a bit about the not so sturdy plastic shell. Having such a little, unnatural extension on the side of the netbook may mean that you end up forgetting and bumping it against something. Only time would tell if the plastic can take the beating.