Lexar makes portable storage pretty
Lexar JumpDrive Lightning
The product: While USB flash drives are nothing new, Lexar has taken it upon itself to make a snazzy version that will be attractive to executives. The new JumpDrive Lightning (to be released in the first quarter of 2005) features a shiny stainless-steel exterior with rounded edges. The only other physical details are a keychain/lanyard loop, Lexar's logo, and the LED that sits on the drive's broad side.

The JumpDrive Lightning isn't just a pretty face, though. It features rated read/write speeds of 24MB per second and 18MB per second, respectively. It also allows users to encrypt and decrypt files on either the drive or the host computer without installing software onto the computer. The file-synchronization feature allows users to pick and choose which subfolders or file types to synchronize.

The price: The JumpDrive Lightning will come in two capacities. The 1GB version will retail for $134.99, and the 2GB version will go for $274.99.

The prospects: While this USB flash drive isn't pushing any technology revolution, it's about time someone recognized that storage can be both smart and pretty. Executives will appreciate the elegant look and feel of this high-capacity flash drive.

By Felisa Yang, associate editor, CNET Reviews