Product: Kingston 1GB U3 DataTraveler
Supplier: Kingston
MSRP: $27.00
Author: Clint
Date: 1/17/07

USB flash drives have been around for quite some time now. However, up until recently, there really wasn’t an easy way to install software to your flash drive so it was truly portable. Many programs require registry keys to work correctly or store their info in variety of different locations. This is were the Kingston U3 DataTraveler comes in, which features U3 technology. U3 technology allows anyone to easily install many different programs to their flash drive without worrying if the program will work when they plug the flash drive into a different computer. U3 compatible programs include Firefox, Thunderbird, Trillian, Gaim, OpenOffice, and many others.

Features/Specifications:

Capacity – 1 GB
Dimensions – 2.64″ x 0.80″ x 0.35″ (66.9 mm x 20.4 mm x 9.0 mm)
Weight – 0.4 oz (11.3 g)
Operating Temp – 32F to 140F (0C to 60C)
Storage Temp – -4F to 185F (-20C to 85C)
Efficient – data transfer rates of up to 6 MB/sec. read and up to 3 MB/sec write
Compliant – designed to U3 and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 specifications
Easy to use – intuitive U3 Launchpad is a user-friendly interface that launches U3 software and manages programs and other functions
Flexible – U3 Launchpad operates in seven languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Simplified Chinese
Secure – includes password protection
Convenient – pocket-sized for easy transportability
Simple – just plug and play into a USB port
Practical – stores cap securely on end of device to prevent loss of cap
Guaranteed – five-year warranty
Fashionable – available in two colors based on capacity: 1 GB, silver with black grip and 2 GB, silver with orange grip
Compatibility – Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP (SP1 and above)

The U3 DataTraveler:

   

After opening the packaging of the U3 DataTraveler, I notice that it has a flimsy plastic casing like many of Kingston’s other USB flash drives. While I have never personally had a problem with the plastic shell cracking, the plastic is flimsy and easily flexed.

When I first plugged the U3 DataTraveler into my computer, I was a bit surprised to find that the U3 launchpad automatically started up. At first I thought it was installing the application without asking me first, but I soon realized that the U3 Launchpad simply ran off the flash drive. I did contact Kingston about the U3 Launchpad and they did confirm that the software did not install itself but ran off the flash drive. Kingston also noted that one of the main advantages to U3 technology allowed the user to move from computer to computer without leaving a trace. Spurred on by this comment, I did look for traces of the programs I used with the U3 flash drive and was unable to find any.

While the selection of U3 compatible applications is not massive, there are still quite a few to choose from. After browsing through U3′s catalog of applications, I downloaded Firefox, Thunderbird, Trillian, FileZilla, and OpenOffice. Once installed, I noticed that the U3 Programs tended to load a little slower then if the application was installed on a hard drive. This can be attributed to two factors: The U3 DataTraveler has a slower transfer speed than a hard drive and some of the programs had to go through a few extra steps before starting up. After the program was finished loading, I did not notice any difference in the response times of the program.

Like many other drives currently on the market, the U3 DataTraveler has an option to enable password protection for security. The flash drive is unable to be used at all unless the password is correctly entered. This is a very basic means of securing the data on the U3 DataTraveler as the data is not encrypted and the flash drive does not offer any type protection against attempts to crack the password via a brute force attack. However, your data is pretty safe as a strong password is usually enough to stop a majority of people.

Upon rebooting my computer, I noticed that the U3 Launchpad did not automatically start up after logging in. To start the U3 Launchpad there are two options. The first option is to unplug the flash drive and then plug it back into the USB port. The second option may seem a little more complicated to some people. After going to “My Computer” there will be two devices under the “Devices with Removable Storage” group that are named Kingston U3. To launch the U3 Launchpad, simply double-click the Kingston U3 device with the icon of a CD.

Performance:

For the performance testing, HD Tach 3.0.1.0 was used to benchmark the transfer speeds of the Kingston U3 DataTraveler. The flash drive was benchmarked a total of 3 times and the results averaged.

The Kingston U3 DataTraveler averaged a read speed of 12.5 MB/s and a write speed of 5.3 MB/s. This is a lot better than Kingston’s listed speeds of 6 MB/s read and 3 MB/s write but is still a lot slower than other flash drives currently on the market.

At speeds like that, it is only to be expected that the programs installed on the Kingston U3 DataTraveler will load slower than if they were installed directly onto a hard drive.

Durability:

While the U3 DataTraveler may be made out of flimsy plastic, I did not have any problems with the plastic cracking at all while carrying the flash drive around in my pocket for a few weeks. The Kingston U3 DataTraveler also survived several falls from heights of two, four, and six feet while only sustaining minor chipping and scratching. Perhaps the secret to the U3 DataTraveler’s survival is that while the drive may feel cheap, the shell will flex instead of cracking.

Conclusion:

As a user that is constantly on the move, I found the Kingston U3 DataTraveler to be of great use. Having access to some of the programs I frequently use while on the go is definitely the biggest advantage to the U3 DataTraveler. The convenience that this flash drive offered easily overcame the disadvantages of the drive which include slow transfer speeds and a flimsy plastic casing.

Maximum CPU gives the
Kingston U3 DataTraveler

4 / 5

Pros:

+ Supports U3 Technology
+ U3 programs do not leave a trace
+ Can be password protected

Cons:

- Flimsy plastic shell
- U3 Launchpad doesn’t automatically start on reboot
- Programs load slower than if they were installed to hard drive
- Slow transfer speeds