Introduction

As computer enthusiasts we are constantly striving to achieve that faster CPU, that better performing graphics card or that that top overclocking ram. However, we rarely think about the storage side of things, portable storage that is. Since the advent of USB drives, they have gone through some drastic changes. From clunky, low data rate transfer USB1.0 drives, to a slight speed boost with USB 1.1, finally we had USB 2.0. With high speeds now available, “Cool” USB has become the new thing, from earrings to Lego bricks. Enter the Crucial Gizmo 512mb pen drive, a very clean, professional looking drive there to cater for all your data transfer needs, but does it make the cut? Read on to find out.

A little about Crucial

The Crucial story starts with Micron Technology, Inc., one of the largest dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturers in the world and the only one based in the U.S. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Micron manufactures DRAM chips and assembles them into high-quality memory modules for sale to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") worldwide.

Over the past 26 years, Micron has learned that when you make some of the very best memory in the world, lots of companies want it, from computer makers to wireless device manufacturers to printer producers. (And we're really glad that they do!)
But then Micron asked, well, what about the end user? What about the everyday folks who want to upgrade their existing systems with OEM-quality memory—the home desktop user, the IT network guy, the student notebook user? Why don't we offer our memory to the public, at factory-direct pricing?

So in 1996, Micron responded to a growing demand for high-quality memory upgrades among end users who wanted the best possible performance from their systems. Micron launched Crucial Technology in November of that year, and for the first time, end users had the opportunity to buy directly from the manufacturer the same memory modules bought by the world's major OEMs for original installation in their systems.

Having a direct sales division focused on selling Micron's DRAM to the public was apparently an idea whose time had come, and eight successful years later, we have expanded our product line to include graphics cards, flash cards and readers, and USB flash drives.