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Everything USB 
USB 3.0 Flash Drives
More and more companies are certainly getting on the SuperSpeed train! The latest to bring out a USB 3.0 flash drive is Kingston with their Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 model. On paper, this flash drive's 80MB/s read and 60MB/s write specifications are a little on the low side, though it still eons better than the previous generation Data Traveler. As with most things paper and reality can be completely different, so how does this drive really compare to some other USB 3.0 flash drives? Read on to find in my full review.
Don't Miss...
USB 3.0 Flash Drives Kingston Data Traveler Ultimate USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review
- Stylish good looks in a retro chic kinda way
- Decent read performance with good write performance
- LED indicator is not annoyingly bright
- Great 5 year warranty
- No software needed to get the most from it
- Uses default MS drivers
- Y adapter included for increased compatibility with USB 2.0 systems
- Pricey for the speed it offers
- May block USB ports to either side of it
- Requires USB 3.0 to get the most from it
- Will more than likely NEED the Y adapter for hassle-free USB 2.0 connectivity
Flash Drive Design
For anyone who has used Kinston flash drives the new DT Ultimate USB 3.0 will be refreshingly new in appearance. Unlike past models, the new Ultimate has a very short and stocky plastic body. It is down right thick when you hold it in your hands. I can honestly say I like this design as it fits nicely in your hand and more importantly, has a reassuringly solid feel that belies its reliance on mainly plastic for its case. The reason for most of this added weight is that the Data Traveler Ultimate uses copious amounts of aluminum coverings on its body. These brushed aluminum side panels are only there for looks and do not really do much to act as heatsinks. This is both a good and bad thing. It is a downside as it is a missed opportunity to let the body of the Ultimate shed even more heat from his controller and NAND chips. But where this model barely gets warm to the touch, it certainly isn't a big deal either! The fact that the flash drive barely warms up during extended usage really is a nice bonus, considering the speed boost Kingston has bestowed upon this new version. The speed of this drive at 80/60 MB/s certainly will not win any performance awards, but it should still be more than enough for most users needs.
Kingston Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 flash drive in the middle with Super Talent Express 3.0 and SuperCrypt on the right.
The LED itself is another nice little tweak which didn't fail to impress. Unlike some other models, Kingston has taken the same approach as Super Talent made the LED internal. The center rear half of the drive glows a nice mellow blue which is neither distracting nor annoying, while still being bright enough to be noticeable. It may only be a small tweak, but this does lend a nice air of refinement that this drive badly needs. Please don't get me wrong, the Super Talent Express 3.0 Drive still looks much nicer and more refined but the Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 is no slouch in the looks department. It's just that a plastic drive (aluminum side panels or no) just doesn't scream "sophistication" or "elegance" like an all metal chassis does. Considering the price point, this drive resides in plastic just doesn't cut it anymore.
Daily Use & Usability
As mentioned earlier, the Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 is a very short and thick USB 3.0 flash drive. Luckily, it is no wider than your "typical" USB 2.0 counterpart. In practical terms, this combination means that while it may block the port below (or above) it, it will not block adjacent ports. Considering most USB 3.0 adapter cards have the two ports side by side, this should only make the over-sized footprint of the Ultimate a potential issue for any one using a motherboard with built in USB 3.0 ports.
If you fall into the latter category, it may have a tendency to block a secondary USB 2.0 port, but considering most motherboards come with a veritable kings bounty of USB 2.0 ports, the loss of one port to the Ultimate is neither here nor there. For anyone planning on using this on a USB 2.0 port, I can honestly say that in for my systems the Y adapter was not needed, but I wouldn't count on not needing it either. Kingston's instructions are very clear that you should always use it for completely backwards compatibility. I consider this a major negative as it negates most of the portability aspects a flash drive offers you. Who really wants to carry around a bulky cable just to reliably use their flash drive?!
On the upside, as USB 3.0 becomes more popular, this issue will become more and more moot. Also on the positive side, I did find the Ultimate flash drive to fit comfortably in darn near any of my pockets. It is large enough you know its there, but it is not so large as to be annoying or uncomfortable even after being stuck in a pants pocket all day.
For anyone who has used Kinston flash drives the new DT Ultimate USB 3.0 will be refreshingly new in appearance. Unlike past models, the new Ultimate has a very short and stocky plastic body. It is down right thick when you hold it in your hands. I can honestly say I like this design as it fits nicely in your hand and more importantly, has a reassuringly solid feel that belies its reliance on mainly plastic for its case. The reason for most of this added weight is that the Data Traveler Ultimate uses copious amounts of aluminum coverings on its body. These brushed aluminum side panels are only there for looks and do not really do much to act as heatsinks. This is both a good and bad thing. It is a downside as it is a missed opportunity to let the body of the Ultimate shed even more heat from his controller and NAND chips. But where this model barely gets warm to the touch, it certainly isn't a big deal either! The fact that the flash drive barely warms up during extended usage really is a nice bonus, considering the speed boost Kingston has bestowed upon this new version. The speed of this drive at 80/60 MB/s certainly will not win any performance awards, but it should still be more than enough for most users needs.
Kingston Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 flash drive in the middle with Super Talent Express 3.0 and SuperCrypt on the right.
The LED itself is another nice little tweak which didn't fail to impress. Unlike some other models, Kingston has taken the same approach as Super Talent made the LED internal. The center rear half of the drive glows a nice mellow blue which is neither distracting nor annoying, while still being bright enough to be noticeable. It may only be a small tweak, but this does lend a nice air of refinement that this drive badly needs. Please don't get me wrong, the Super Talent Express 3.0 Drive still looks much nicer and more refined but the Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 is no slouch in the looks department. It's just that a plastic drive (aluminum side panels or no) just doesn't scream "sophistication" or "elegance" like an all metal chassis does. Considering the price point, this drive resides in plastic just doesn't cut it anymore.
Daily Use & UsabilityAs mentioned earlier, the Data Traveler Ultimate 3.0 is a very short and thick USB 3.0 flash drive. Luckily, it is no wider than your "typical" USB 2.0 counterpart. In practical terms, this combination means that while it may block the port below (or above) it, it will not block adjacent ports. Considering most USB 3.0 adapter cards have the two ports side by side, this should only make the over-sized footprint of the Ultimate a potential issue for any one using a motherboard with built in USB 3.0 ports.
If you fall into the latter category, it may have a tendency to block a secondary USB 2.0 port, but considering most motherboards come with a veritable kings bounty of USB 2.0 ports, the loss of one port to the Ultimate is neither here nor there. For anyone planning on using this on a USB 2.0 port, I can honestly say that in for my systems the Y adapter was not needed, but I wouldn't count on not needing it either. Kingston's instructions are very clear that you should always use it for completely backwards compatibility. I consider this a major negative as it negates most of the portability aspects a flash drive offers you. Who really wants to carry around a bulky cable just to reliably use their flash drive?!
On the upside, as USB 3.0 becomes more popular, this issue will become more and more moot. Also on the positive side, I did find the Ultimate flash drive to fit comfortably in darn near any of my pockets. It is large enough you know its there, but it is not so large as to be annoying or uncomfortable even after being stuck in a pants pocket all day. 
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