Although I have owned a number of USB Memory Sticks in the past I always end up losing one from time to time. I still own a few, but one of my personal favourites is the Integral Secure 360 16GB USB Memory Stick. Priced at around £25 it certainly isn't cheap. In comparison to other brands it is towards the higher end of the range, but is it worth it?

The design is quite innovative, offering the user 'Secure Lock', meaning it can be secured in the closed position, protecting data and the USB connector in the process. The '360' refers to the fact that the stick rotates 360degrees on a fixed axis inside the casing. Overall the design is something I like and with this sort of product there are three things I take into consideration, price, brand and design. Integral is a brand I am familiar with, and so this product does tick all the right boxes for me.

The USB stick is compatible with the faster 2.0 USB ports. Data transfer is fast and painless, with a simple drag/drop procedure. I often transfer large quantities of data and with a capacity of 16GB there is plenty of room for a whole variety of files and such like. I back up music and data files regularly and this product is ideal for such a requirement.

Other than the 360degree rotating USB connector for secure storage you are also faced with the option to apply a unique user ID which allows for the device to be adapted for use on secure company networks. This isn't a feature I use personally, but it could be a consideration for some.

The pricepoint is obviously an issue, and it does make it less attractive to someone either price sensitive or baffled with digital media and therefore opting for a lesser (and cheaper) product. The ability to allow the data stick to be attached to a keychain is just another small design addition and the glossy finish and neat and compact design sold it to me.