Model: Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2
Manufacturer: Kingston
Provided By: Kingston

As the world’s largest independent manufacturer of memory products, Kingston Technology doesn't need much of an introduction. The company got its start in 1987, when the computer industry was suffering from a severe shortage of surface-mount memory chips. To provide a solution, Kingston's founders designed a new Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM) that used readily available, older technology through-hole components. Today, Kingston offers more than 2,000 memory products for everything from computers, servers and printers to MP3 players, digital cameras and cell phones.

While computers with USB 3.0 ports are still few and far between, this hasn't stopped Kingston from embracing the new technology. Last fall, the company introduced its first USB 3.0 flash drive, the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0. Available in capacities up to 64GB, the drive was capable of reading at 80 MB/s and writing at speeds of up to 60 MB/s. The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 was also backwards compatible with USB 2.0. However, in some cases, it required a special Y-cable to provide enough power to initialize the drive.

Kingston has now begun to ship its second generation USB 3.0 flash drive, the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2. While similar in appearance to the original DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0, this new drive uses a native USB 3.0 controller which offers better performance and power management. The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 is capable of reading at 100 MB/s and writing at 70 MB/s. It is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and can be powered completely off a computer's USB bus without the need for additional cables. To top it all off, the drive is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7 and is backed by a five-year warranty.

  Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 2
General Specifications
Capacities 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Dimensions 73.70 x 22.20 x 16.10 mm
Interface USB 3.0

Performance
Sequential Read 100 MB/s Max
Sequential Write 70 MB/s Max

Environmental
Operating Temperature 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)
Storage Temperature -4°F to 185°F (-20°C to 85°C)

Other Features
Backwards compatible with USB 2.0
Durable casing with a solid lanyard loop
5 year warranty

Needless to say, this is only a taste of what the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 has to offer. To give you an idea of what to expect, we'll take a closer look at Kingston's new USB 3.0 flash drive and then see how well it performs. Does the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 G2 have what it takes? Keep reading as we find out.


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