Model:  STU2GPAS

Manufacturer:  Super Talent

Reviewed By:  Miguel

Review Date:  01/24/08

  While flash drives have been on the market for quite some time now, few are designed to be truly portable.  In fact, the only drive I currently find to be designed for ultimate portability is the PQI i810 reviewed here a while a back.  However, it is always nice to come across any new flash drives that somewhat fill this somewhat difficult obstacle in design.  The latest happens to be from a company that is primarily known for desktop and flash memory.  The new Super Talent Pico A series is a ultra small flash drive that is keychain-friendly and well-designed for such use.  Can the same be said about performance?

Packaging & Contents

**click to enlarge**

Won't even bother writing much here because there isn't a need to.  This tiny drive comes in a standard plastic pack that is not even a blister pack so you don't know if someone opened it and played with it.  In fact, you'll probably notice just how bland the packaging is the minute you lay eyes on it.  In fact, not only is it not properly identified by its series/model, but ours didn't even have a proper barcode on it that should have been present in the rear of the packaging where there appears to be a space for it.  Needless to say, you can tell not a lot of emphasis was put into it, considering this is a product that many are still after and only a handful offer.  Just a poor marketing approach in general.

The Drive

The very first thing you'll notice is just how tiny it is.  In fact, I'll show you plenty of good comparison shots below to emphasize on its sheer size.  Unlike some of the smallest flash drives on the market that have an exposed connector and made completely out of cheap plastic, the Super Talent Pico 2 has swivel-style design that protects it via an aluminum, chrome-plated outer shell.  It is very thin and you can slide it out from either direction with ease, thanks to some grooves it has on both sides of the module itself. 

Now, considering its most impressive feature is its overall size, I will provide plenty of comparison shots, most of which are next to the only drives on the market that are or have been considered "the smallest". 

The first couple of shots are next to both the original PQI Intelligent Stick and the InnoDisk 8GB flash drive.  This new drive is clearly smaller than both, yet it manages to sport a design that will protect the module and connector itself from damage.  In terms of length, it is smaller when in the closed position.  In terms of thickness, it is roughly the same as the Intelligent Stick 2.0 but thinner than the InnoDisk 8GB.

The final two comparison shots are next to a standard-sized flash drive, as well as next to what is still the smallest high-speed flash drive on the market.  While the excellent PQI Intelligent i810 is slightly thicker due to its forward slide design, it still manages to hold the top spot as the smallest drive available, considering both offer the same maximum storage capacity.

Specifications

Super Talent doesn't really provide much detailed specs nor does the product itself detail them so I gathered as much information as possible.  The most accurate specs I was able to obtain are listed below...

Next: Install & Performance