This may be the smallest flash drive available today. Sometimes these are called "thumb drives" which seems appropriate for a device about the size of a thumbnail!
Today, I purchased a Lexar Echo ZE flash drive. This thing is barely bigger than its built-in USB connector. Using this tiny flash drive is a great way to keep a backup copy of your important files in your pocket or purse. Even better, the Lexar Echo ZE even includes encryption software for Windows and Macintosh systems to keep your private files just that: private.
The Lexar Echo ZE works in the same manner as any other flash drive: plug it in to a USB connector on your computer and it appears in Windows Explorer or Macintosh Finder as another disk drive on your system. It includes EchoBackup software in two versions: Windows and Macintosh. The software provides password protection and also gives you the option to secure files with 128-bit AES encryption. If you select the encryption option, all data backed up is encrypted and accessible only by providing the correct password.
I purchased the new flash drive to make it easy to keep critical files in my pocket at all times. I see three disadvantages to the Lexar Echo ZE flash drive:
- It is a bit more expensive than normal flash drives.
- It isn't the fastest flash drive on the market. Read/write speed is mediocre. Of course, I might expect that in a device this small. It is perfectly acceptable for casual use but I might not want to leave it plugged in all the time for constant read/write use.
- As you can see from the pictures, it is so small that it is easily lost! I found that it fits into a zippered compartment in my wallet so I think it is secure. You do have to be careful, however.
The Lexar Echo ZE flash drive is available in three different capacities. Below is a list of the three drives with list prices and prices found on Amazon:
| Capacity |
Model # | List Price |
Amazon Price |
| 32 gigabytes | LEHZE32GASBNA | $99.99 | $49.00 |
| 16 gigabytes | LEHZE16GASBNA | $54.99 | $30.00 |
| 8 gigabytes | LEHZE8GBASBNA | $29.99 | $17.99 |
Amazon prices change often. I also suspect you can find even lower prices if you shop around a bit. I purchased an 8 gigabyte model today for $16.95 at the local Apple store.
You can learn more about the Lexar Echo ZE flash drives at http://www.lexar.com/products/lexar-echo-ze-backup-drive and at http://www.lexar.com/support/lexar-echo-backup-drive-faqs
Now, go back up your files!
