The USB2 Connect from Adaptec allows you to take full advantage of the new, super-fast USB standard (480 megabits per second) using your laptop computer.

USB 2.0, the fastest USB standard yet, allows data transfer at speeds up to 40 times faster than its predecessors.

This makes it ideal for use with external storage devices, scanners and CD-RW, where data transfer operations can take forever.

The double-socket device plugs directly into a Type II PC card slot and does not require any external power source.

It is extremely lightweight and portable and does not add significantly to the weight of mobile computing essentials.

Testing the USB2 Connect with a digital camera and a USB 2.0-enabled digital media reader, I instantly recognised the increas-ed image download speed.

With a 1Gb microdrive full of high-resolution images, the time saving to download could be really significant.

The USB 2 Connect card comes with drivers for Windows 98 SE, Me and 2000.

I used it on my Sony Vaio under Windows XP, which recognised it immediately. The unit worked straight from the box and, without any installation, performed faultlessly.

Adaptec has paid attention to backward compatibility.

Old USB 1.1 devices work perfectly with the new connection.

Price: £84.99.

Contact: 01276 854500.

Feel good factor:

9 out of 10.