Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2 (G2) – 32 GB Review

As USB 3.0 is slowly becoming integrated into more products such as the latest generation of PC motherboards more companies are releasing products to take advantage of this technology’s speed gains. Kingston created one of the 1^stUSB 3.0 portable drives with the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 back in 2010. Recently they released the Generation 2 version of this drive the aptly named DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2 (G2).

This version offers faster speeds than its predecessor. While the speed increases from the last generation aren’t mind blowing a 20MB/sec increase in read speeds and a 10MB/sec bump in writes is always a nice benefit.

Info:

Product Name:  Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 (DTU30G2) Part Numbers:  DTU30G2/16GB, DTU30G2/32GB, DTU30G2/64GB

Author: Tom Ratas

Provider: Kingston

Price: $54.99  (from Amazon at time of review)

Kingston’s DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 (DTU30) features the latest technology for USB Flash drives, making it ideal for early adopters who want to take advantage of all the performance improvements offered by USB 3.0 right away.

This drive is the perfect solution for easily storing and quickly transferring all your large documents, hi-res photos, HD video, and more. It’s exceptionally fast and easy to let you keep data with you wherever you go.

USB 3.0 offers the same ease-of-use and plug and play capabilities as previous generations of USB technologies but with a performance increase and better power management. This USB 3.0 drive is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.

DTU30 is backed by 24.7 tech support, a five-year warranty and legendary Kingston reliability.

Great uses for USB 3.0

-HD video

-System and data backup

-Adobe applications (Photoshop, Premiere, Lightroom)

-AutoCAD

-Movie downloads

-and many more

Features/Specifications:

• Capacities* – 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
• Requirements – system with USB 3.0 port
• Fast** –data transfer rates for USB 3.0 to 100MB/sec. read and 70MB/sec. write; USB 2.0 = 30MB/sec. read and 30MB/sec. write
• Backwards compatible – with USB 2.0.
• Simple – just plug into a USB port
• Practical – durable casing with a solid lanyard loop
• Dimensions – 2.90″ x 0.87″ x 0.63″ (73.70mm x 22.20mm x 16.10mm)
• Operating Temperature – 32° to 140°F (0° to 60°C)
• Storage Temperature – -4° to 185°F (-20° to 85°C)
• Guaranteed – five-year warranty

 

The Review::

The packaging for the 2^ndGen version of the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 is similar to the original model with a clamshell plastic holding the drive and a backboard with the details and specs of the drive. The drive is designed to work with Windows versions from XP (SP3) up to Windows 7. The drive is also recognized on OS X as a USB 2.0 drive unless there is an add-on USB 3.0 solution such as a PCI-e or Express Card.

  

Inside the package we find the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 and a lanyard for attaching the drive to one’s keychain. Strangely there is no eyelet on the drive for attaching the lanyard; it stays on the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 by looping the lanyard through the space by the rear cap holder.

Kingston offers the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 in three capacities – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The drive looks exactly like it predecessor; the only distinguishing difference is the inclusion of G2 on the side label of the drive. It is composed of white/silver plastic and aluminum.

Unlike most USB thumb drives the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 is fairly thick and clunky; which I actually like as it is easy to feel for and find in my laptop bag or knapsack. The drive is about the size of Bic lighter and slightly thicker.

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 has a detachable cap that snaps onto the back of the drive. One side has the DataTraveler Ultimate G2 and drive capacity while flipping over the drive reveals the embossed Kingston name.

   

In case you weren’t paying attention on the back of the drive is the “USB 3.0” label in silver. Beneath this area is a blue LED light that becomes active when read or writing data to the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2.

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 comes preformatted in FAT32 and is quickly detected via Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 when plugged into a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 connection.

For testing I used a Core i7 2600K on an ASUS P8P67 Pro which has built in USB 3.0 ports. For benchmarking ATTO Disk Benchmark 2.46, Crystal Disk Mark 3.0.1 x64, HD Tach RW 3.0.1.0 was used.

For comparison the original DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 64 GB version was pit against its brother the G2. On ATTO we see write speeds top out in the mid 70s and reads in the 90s for the 1^stgeneration while the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 had reads in the early 70s and writes in the 120s.

 

Crystal Disk Mark testing was done using 100 MB test with five passes the Gen 1 DataTraveler Ultimate had read/writes of 97//68 MB/s at USB 3.0 speeds 35/28 MB/s at USB 2.0 while the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 was127/75 MB/s at USB 3.0 and 36/30 MB/s using USB 2.0.

   

Using the read benchmark on HD Tach RW we see the G1 version has a burst of 98 MB/s and sequential read of 87 MB/s. The G2 had a burst at 90 MB/s and sequential of 14 MB/s.

 

Two things that were a concern with the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 was the size of the drive as it tended to obstruct adjacent ports due to its girth and its temperature. After prolonged use the drive did become warm to the touch.

Conclusion:

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2 (G2) was created to take advantage of the speed gains found in the USB 3.0 protocol. This USB drive exceeded their listed specs with reads in the 120 MB/s and writes in 80 MB/s range.

Even at USB 2.0 speeds it held its own with speeds in the 30/30 MB/s read/write range. This drive is designed for the user who needs to transfer large files around quickly such as video editors, Adobe software users or those who need to move large amounts of data.

It comes in three drive capacities topping out at 64GB. That should be sufficient for even the heaviest user who needs to ferry around data quickly.

Basically this Kingston drive is a screamer, if you use USB 3.0 ports on your system you’ll definitely want to take advantage of them using this drive.

 

PROS	CONS
+Lightning fast read/write speeds +Well constructed +Speeds actually exceed the specs listed by Kingston +Backwards compatible with USB 2.0	-Bulky and may block USB ports -Get warm

–

–

Scores::	9 out of 10
Overall:
Aesthetic:
Value / Price:
Build Quality:
Usability:

Disclosure:This product was given to Review the Tech for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review, we do not, and never will, accept payment from companies to review their products. This product may have also been bought by us for review purposes and does not influence the review.