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Microtech's Tiny Zio! MultiMediaCard Reader Reviewed

by Paul Cesarini

Microtech International

SRP / SP:	$39.95 / $27
Requirements:	MacOS 8.5 or later; Available USB port
What's Hot:	Small and easy to use
What's Not:	single-media only

Wider may be better if you're buying a Pontiac, but thinner, smaller, and lighter is better if you're buying any type of flash memory reader. Barring pc card-based readers, Microtech appears to have trumped the competition with their new Zio! product line. These keychain-sized readers are tiny, rugged, and easy to use.

There are currently three Zio! flash memory readers available: CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and MultiMediaCard (MMC). No word on whether Memory Stick or HipZip versions are due. The device we tested was the MMC one. MMC is perhaps the newest entry into the flash memory market, and is currently used in a handful of MP3 players and consumer-oriented digital cameras. MMC is also the favorite among the Recording Industry Association of America, better known as the Napster-nemesis RIAA, and their Secure Music Digital Initiative.

The Zio! has no external moving parts, and has a fairly rugged plastic shell. It can easily be stuffed in a shirt pocket without fear of damaging it. There's a USB port on one end, and a slot for the flash memory on the other. Installation was a snap: just pop in the included CD, install the driver, connect the Zio!, and go.

MicroTech provides two connection options, which is helpful depending on what type of system you have. For Macs with easy-access USB ports, such as an iBook, just plug it directly into the port. Yes, it's as simple as that. For desktop Macs, Microtech includes a 3' USB extension cable. I've been using the Zio! via an available USB port on my keyboard, and it seems to work well enough. It doesn't get in the way of typing at all, or scrape across the desk if the keyboard gets moved.

Once the drivers have been installed, flash memory just shows-up like any other removable media would, and behaves much the same way. Basically, there's not much else to it.

About the only problem I can think of -- and it's a minor one -- is that plugging the Zio! directly into a stacked USB port pretty much blocks the other port. Of course, the extension cable also comes in handy for that. Still, if you're a rabid road warrior, you probably don't want to carry around an extra cable with your PowerBook. It's just one more thing to misplace. If the Zio! is your only USB device, however, that wouldn't be an issue.

I suppose another issue would be that each Zio! is specific to a single form of Flash memory. If you have multiple flash memory device that take multiple types of memory, you could either get all three Zios, or a dual or tri-media reader from VST or a similar company.

The Zio! is a minimalist effort to make flash memory reading a transparent, relatively pain-free experience. Aside from the potential to block another USB port, and the media-specific functionality, I have yet to see a smaller, more efficient reader.