By Cheryl Currid

When it comes to having portable data, thumbs down to diskette drives and thumbs up to the USB drives.

USB memory devices are fast, portable and store 25 to 250 times more data than a diskette.

Unfortunately, computer makers feel compelled to include a space-wasting, low-capacity diskette drive on every single new desktop and many notebook computers. They have since 1987.

How often do you use a diskette drive? Is it worth the space? For me, I'd rather use the computer's prime real estate location to have more USB ports and audio jacks. And, if you hold the notion that the uniformity of diskettes is good for passing information, such as drivers or office correspondence, forget it. It takes only seconds to download 1.4 MB of information to a USB drive.

Given that diskette drives can store only 1.4 MB, and USB key chains start with 32 MB of storage, I vote to exclude this "buggy whip" as a standard part of a computer.

I just reviewed the new Cruzer from SanDisk. This magic little device is the first to store data on a Secure Digital card that can be upgraded. Just plug it into a USB port, and it self-configures as a new drive.

The Cruzer's low list price includes the drive, one SD card and a nifty black pouch that you can clip to your key ring or belt. It also has a 4-inch extender cable just in case its size conflicts with another USB device. It retails for $49.99 for 32 MB and $99.99 for 128 MB. Other storage amounts are also available.

It will also read and write to a MultiMediaCard card. The difference between SD and MMC cards is that SD cards provide a special lock called "digital rights management" so that copyright holders are protected from unauthorized duplication.

As a product, the Cruzer is brilliant! You won't get boxed out of the future with a drive that has a fixed storage amount. This product can be easily upgraded simply by adding a new memory card. Also, SD and MMC cards are making their way into digital cameras, camcorders and MP3 players. So, if you want more removable storage in your PC, you can buy a higher capacity card and then use the old one as a hand-me-down to a camera or music player.

SD cards are fast, too. I copied a 1-megabyte file to the Cruzer in less than five seconds. The diskette drive took 35 seconds.

If you haven't seen a MMC or SD card yet, put on your bifocals. These cards are smaller than a postage stamp and weigh only 2 grams. Unlike diskettes, they have no moving parts, run on 5 percent of the power a diskette drive requires, and can withstand rapid changes in temperature.

Better yet, the cards are nearly indestructible. I drove my car over SD and MMC cards, and they still worked just fine.

Unlike the diskette drive, the Cruzer future-proofs portable storage. It is the sign of great technology -- powerful, but easy to use.