Kingston's DataTraveler Elite 3.0 32GB Flash Drive Gets Run Through the Lab - The DT Elite 3.0 32GB

dte01Although not as sexy as a new CPU, GPU or Motherboard USB flash drives are still used on an almost daily basis by many, many people. These are the indispensable little products that we carry our files around in. I know quite a few IT people that carry complete operating systems on them (I keep a Linux Live USB handy). It has also become increasingly popular to keep a web browser on a USB key to maintain better privacy (when combined with TOR). Now the problem is getting a USB key that has enough room and speed to keep things humming along so that these are extra steps are not slowing you down when you are working. We have gone through quite a few USB keys and are now taking a look at another one from Kingston; The DataTraveler Elite 3.0 32GB USB 3.0 Flash drive.

 

The Kingston DataTraveler Elite 32GB -
The DataTraveler Elite is a fairly nice looking USB flash drive. It has a sort of fancy look to it that is eye appealing. However all of that seems to end when you pick it up. One of the people we had play with the DT Elite made the comment that it looked nice, but felt cheap. It is light and the outer shell is plastic which combine to give it that feel.
dte01
At the business end (there the USB 3.0 plug is) Kingston gave the DT Elite a retractable cover that slides back to reveal the USB 3.0 plug. This area has been given something of a granite look with the grey background and silver speckles. The product name is on the lower corner of the slide while the capacity is at the back end on a black flange that is intended to stop the sliding cover. There is also an eye for a leash to be attached here (there is a basic one included in the packaging).

dte02 dte03

It is a functional design, but not necessarily the best one we have played with. It is the same length as the older 32GB DT Ultimate, but is about half as thick. This will make the device easier to carry around and also means that instead of having four 4GB NAND Flash chips we are more likely seeing two 16GB chips here. We are imagining the controller in the DT Elite is also the same as the one used in the DT Ultimate (The Phison PS225-01-L) This is a very nice USB 3.0 controller and one that is sure to give us some good performance numbers when run on a decent USB 3.0 controller on your motherboard.
dte04

 

No comments

Leave your comment

In reply to Some User