How To Make A Portable Computing Device

How To Make A Portable Computing Device

As heard on Digital Nation Radio October 13, 2007

U3 vs. Ceedo - IronKey vs. TrueCrypt - PortableApps vs. MojoPac and a
Comparison of Other Options


Introduction: Over the last few years USB flash drives (aka thumb drives, USB drives, jump drives, etc.) have replaced floppy disks and CD’s as the storage medium of choice for moving files between computers. iPod’s and external hard drives are everywhere, too. Computer developers noticed this trend and adapted various programs so they would run directly from these type of storage devices. Normally one must install a program in Windows before it will run, so if you borrowed a computer and it didn’t have the program you needed, you were out of luck. With the portable device platforms described below, you can now configure a USB flash drive (or an external hard drive, or your iPod) that lets you take your favorite programs, preferences, and files wherever you go.

These platforms all use a USB connection and require Windows. I have not researched options for Mac’s.

Reasons To Use a USB Drive Platform

  • Cost - in lieu of your own laptop computer. It can hold all your files and programs.

  • Convenience - take your preferences with you everywhere

  • Security - everything can be encrypted. No password, no access.

  • Portability - for traveling

  • Privacy - keeps your personal browsing separate from the host computer (e.g. at work)

How Do I Make One?

  • 1. Download software from the website to a PC.

  • 2. Install on portable device. (Run the installation program from the PC where you downloaded.)

  • 3. Use it on your portable device!

Flash Drive vs. Hard Drive (and iPod, etc.)

There are two basic types of storage devices you can use: a USB flash drive or an external hard drive (including iPod’s).

Hard Drive: cheaper per megabyte, faster performance, larger capacity
4Gb = $40 (1 inch)
40Gb = $140 (1.8 inch) with enclosure case
120Gb = $100 (2.5 inch)
250Gb = $75 (3.5 inch)

Flash Drive: more durable, small enough to fit in pocket
8Gb Sandisk Contour = $130
4Gb Sandisk Contour = $60

Note: Inexpensive USB flash drives often perform slowly. Therefore, use devices which have read speeds > 10 Mb/s and write speeds > 5Mb/s. Otherwise you’ll just be frustrated. Here’s a list of USB drives that work well (as of Sept 2006).

Platform Comparison

(All are Windows compatible but not Mac compatible.)

Issues:
Windows Vista - On a computer with Windows Vista older flash devices won’t automatically load these systems.

Security - You can use TrueCrypt (free) to create a secure portable computing device, but this requires some extra knowledge of how TrueCrypt works, and it requires that you have Administrator access rights on the host computer when you use your device. You can learn how to configure security with TrueCrypt in the MCX Developer’s Kit.

‘Administrator’ access rights are required on the host computer to run MojoPac and/or for security with TrueCrypt (unless TruCrypt is already installed on the host computer).

1. PortableApps.com

2. MCX

3. IronKey

  • hardware-based security, “hardened security”
  • includes one year VPN service
  • non-configurable menu
  • programs must be “portable“
  • IronKey.com

4. MojoPac

  • requires fast device
  • runs unmodified Windows programs like Microsoft Office or Quicken
  • can be secured with TrueCrypt
  • requires Administrator access rights and Windows XP
  • Windows Vista version not yet available but coming soon
  • MojoPac.com

5. U3

6. Ceedo

  • requires Ceedo programs (limited amount of them)
  • has a mobile phone version
  • $30
  • Argo ($30) allows installation of unmodified Windows programs. Microsoft programs generally won’t install, but most others, including Open Office, will. Check forum discussions for help.
  • does not require Administrator access rights
  • Ceedo.com

Portable Platforms Comparison

You can download this table as a file, too.