Data storage devices, especially USB Flash drives, are getting extremely inexpensive, but SimpleTech's new Bonzai upgradeable drive takes it one further. This drive lets you plug in any SD or MMC card to use for storage. SimpleTech even offers a bare-bones version of the drive for an amazing price.

The Bonzai retails for $11 without any memory inside, and we were able to find it for around $7, making it an excellent Budget Buy. Of course, you'll have to spring for an SD card unless you've got one lying around (which is entirely possible, if you've recently upgraded the memory in a digital camera or PDA, for example). At the same time, SD cards have gotten quite inexpensive as well, and this feature lets you determine just how much storage to get for now and then easily expand it down the road.

The MMC or SD card slips right into the back of the Bonzai, and a plastic lid flips down to protect it. You can even leave the Bonzai plugged into a PC and use it as a card reader if you have multiple cards to which you've saved information or images. There's a cap on the USB connection, protecting the drive when it's being carried around in a pocket or clipped onto the included neck strap.

SimpleTech includes a 4-inch USB extension cord that gives you a bit more room when plugging the Bonzai into tightly stacked USB ports. If you're using any operating system since Windows 98, you don't need to worry about a driver. Simply plug in the Bonzai and Windows (or Mac OS X) will recognize the drive. You can then drag and drop data to and from the drive with ease.

The Bonzai is backward-compatible, so you can use it on systems with only USB 1.1 ports, although the speeds will be much slower than USB 2.0-equipped systems.

SimpleTech's Bonzai is a versatile and inexpensive option for users looking for a Flash drive that exactly fits their needs. If you use MMC or SD cards with other peripherals, then it's a slam dunk.

Pros: Great price, very upgradeable.
Cons: No memory included in basic unit.

Warranty
2 years