For today’s review Kingston has sent over their latest USB 3.0 flash drive – the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3). This model is Kingston’s latest USB 3.0 portable drive, which features data transfer speeds of up 250 MB/s read and 70 Mb/s write. From its name it’s the next version of the DataTraveler Ultimate line and is designed to work with both Windows and OS X out of the box. Of course a USB 3.0 port is needed to take full advantage of its speeds but the flash drive is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.

For those such as myself who invariably lose their USB flash drive caps this version has a capless design and features a built-in keyring.

While it does not have the storage capacities of the DataTraveler HyperX Predator, this model does come in 32GB and 64GB versions. For today’s review we will look at the 64 GB model.

The drive arrives in the standard Kingston USB packaging. A plastic blister card holds the drive on the front while the back of the package lists features in several languages.

Inside the package we find the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3)along with a lanyard. No software is needed to setup the drive nor is there any software on the drive itself; just an empty flash drive.

For this model Kingston changed the body shape and style. Before they used a cap design while this version now has a solid metal sliding case. This means the days of losing your cap are over! Amen. On the con side this means the end of the USB connector remains exposed to dust and debris from the outside world.

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3)is still thick like its predecessors but has a sleek new look. Here is a photo comparing the three generations along with the DataTraveler HyperX model.

The USB flash drive is composed of a retractable metallic silver casing with the model name, capacity and Kingston name embossed on front. To the right of the Kingston name is an LED that flashes during drive activity. In the middle of the drive is a white plastic body that houses the USB. Pulling the metallic casing together produces the USB 3.0 connector. Since this is a USB 3.0 drive, the connector is blue unlike the black of USB 2.0 drives.

The back and sides of the drive are plain silver. At the opposite end the USB connector is a key ring with the Kingston name.

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications and Features

Kingston 64gb DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3)

Kingston’s DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (DTU30G3) features USB 3.0 technology, which enables incredible data transfer speeds up to 150MB/s read and 70MB/s write (in USB 3.0). Now you can transport high-resolution photos, HD videos, music and more with incredible speed and ease. Its attractive, capless design complements Mac products and other stylish mobile devices. DTU30G3 is Mac and Windows compatible and backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports. It’s backed by a five-year warranty, free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.
NOTE: DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 but in order to take advantage of USB 3.0 technology, you will need a system with a USB 3.0 port.

Features:

USB 3.0 performance

Speeds up to 150MB/s read, 70MB/s write (USB 3.0)

Stylish, capless design

USB 3.0 performance — dramatic time savings when transferring large media files; 8x faster than a standard USB 2.0

Durable design — solid metal sliding casing with no cap to lose

Backwards compatibility — usable with USB 2.0 systems with excellent performance throughout

Guaranteed — five-year warranty and free technical support

 

Specifications:

Capacities 64GB >Speed USB 3.0 = up to 150MB/s Read, 70MB/s Write

USB 2.0 = up to 30MB/s Read, 20MB/s Write

Dimensions :

without keyring: 2.6929″ x 0.8961″ x 0.4567″ (68.40mm x 22.76mm x 11.6mm)

with keyring: 3.3622″ x 0.8961″ x 0.4567″ (85.40mm x 22.76mm x 11.6mm)

Price: $74.57 (from Amazon at time of review)

For testing I used a Core i7 2600K on an ASUS P8P67 Pro which has built in USB 3.0 ports. Benchmarks used were ATTO Disk Benchmark 2.46 and Crystal Disk Mark 3.0.1c x64.

Starting with ATTO we discover that the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) hits 26 MB/s on writes and 34 MB/s on reads using a USB 2.0 connection while the faster USB 3.0 interface yields 90 MB/s write and 162 MB/s read. These USB 3.0 scores readily beat the previous two generations of DT Ultimate 3.0 drives.

   

Next we look at Crystal Disk Mark. The USB 2.0 benchmark matches closely to ATTO’s results with read speeds of 33.97 and writes of 29.50.

Comparing the three DT Ultimate 3.0 drives we see once again that the veler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) comes out on top with USB 3.0 speeds of 194.3 on reads and 94.36 on writes using the Sequential benchmark.

  

Obviously to take advantage of this flash drive you will want to use the faster USB 3.0 interface.

Overall the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) is solidly built, portable and easily accessible with the slide out USB connector. One caveat is that the bulkiness of this flash drive may block adjacent USB ports especially in tight areas.

 

 

Conclusion

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) is Kingston’s latest consumer USB 3.0 flash drive. It is faster than its predecessors from the same family. Priced in the $60-70 range it is slightly more expensive than other USB 3.0 64 GB flash drives but those drives may not be as solidly constructed as this model. Speed wise there is little to complain about as this drive takes advantage if USB 3.0 transfer capabilities.

Overall if you need a USB with a fair amount of storage and plenty of speed then look no further than the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:
+Sleek style
+Excellent performer
+Portable
+Capless Design

Cons:
-Bulky
-USB connector exposed to dust

 

Grades:	9 out of 10
Overall
Design / Aesthetic
Value / Price
Performance / Usage

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