SanDisk commemorated the release of Sony's new PSP®go by releasing its own line of PSP®go-branded Memory Stick Micro M2 cards.
The cards, which range in size from 2 GB to 16 GB, are actually the same as SanDisk's regular line of M2 cards &mdash just with different packaging. This review will double as a review for both lines of cards.
The cards, which range in size from 2 GB to 16 GB, are actually the same as SanDisk's regular line of M2 cards &mdash just with different packaging. This review will double as a review for both lines of cards.
PROS
- Great compatibility: Poor compatibility can sometimes be a problem with third-party cards, especially when it comes to reading PSP game files. But SanDisk's M2 cards work well with electronics devices that use Sony's micro sticks, including the format-finicky PSP gaming systems. No surprise given how SanDisk worked pretty closely with Sony on M2 card development.
Transferred files such as videos played just fine on a PSP, as did PSP games that were transferred to the device. The adapter that comes with the device also allows consumers to use the cards with devices that support the physically larger Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, including all regular PSP models (the original 1000-series PSP model, the 2000-series "Lite" model, and the 3000-series "Brite" model). Folks who like to hack their PSPs will also be happy to know that the cards work fine with custom firmware.
- Stability: As someone who's had a high-capacity, third-party memory stick die on me after less than a day of testing, I always make a point to test the memory cards I review by doing several data overwrites and re-formats. SanDisk's M2 card has survived everything I've thrown at it so far.
CONS
- Transfer speed: If you're looking to transfer large files such as movies or &mdash in the case of PSP systems &mdash games, transfer speed is important.
While moving files from my computer to the card, I was averaging speeds of about 3 MB per second. That translates to about 6 minutes for, say, a 1 GB game, which is a bit long, especially for something that's also advertised as a gaming card. If you're frequently transferring games in and out to manage limited space, then the slower write speed can be somewhat of a hassle.
File reading speeds, on the other hand, are faster. Once your file is transferred, your device should be able to read it much more quickly.
- Price: Sony's Memory Stick line has always been pricier than other formats such as SD Cards and Micro SD Cards. SanDisk's Micro M2 line seems expensive in particular, which is a bit strange because I've always favored the company's Pro Duo Memory Sticks since they were normally cheaper but worked just as well as Sony's own brand. A 16 GB SanDisk Micro M2, for example, is priced $141.99 at the SanDisk site while a similar sized card from Sony is $99 at Sony's site.
Fortunately, you can find SanDisk cards cheaper via other online merchants. I found a 16 GB one from a popular online store, for example, for about $70.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Speed and price keep SanDisk's Memory Stick Micro M2 line from a perfect rating. But its great compatibility and stability make it a great card nonetheless. The fact that a few minutes of searching online yields great deals for the card makes pricing less of an issue as well.
The included adapter for Pro Duo devices is also a plus for people with devices that use both formats. But if you only have Pro Duo devices, then you would be better off getting a Memory Stick Pro Duo card, which can be purchased for the same or even lesser price but are also available at much faster transfer speeds.
Folks with devices that exclusively use the Micro M2 format, however, should still find SanDisk's Micro M2 line as a good option.
SanDisk Micro M2 Details
The included adapter for Pro Duo devices is also a plus for people with devices that use both formats. But if you only have Pro Duo devices, then you would be better off getting a Memory Stick Pro Duo card, which can be purchased for the same or even lesser price but are also available at much faster transfer speeds.
Folks with devices that exclusively use the Micro M2 format, however, should still find SanDisk's Micro M2 line as a good option.
SanDisk Micro M2 Details
- 2 GB: $27.99
- 4 GB: $43.99
- 8 GB: $76.99
- 16 GB: $141.99
