Kingston DataTraveler ReadyFlash Flash Drive review
These days flash drives are pretty mainstream. One flash drive can easily be used thousands of times and they are more convenient than other portable storage media like DVDs.
Almost every PC out there, unless it's one from the Stone Age, will be able to send data to your USB memory stick and to do that you don't need to install any software at all. USB sticks are very easy to use, very portable, most models are pretty fast and they offer lots of storage room.
Today I'm taking a closer look at the Kingston DataTraveler ReadyFlash. This is a fairly new USB 2.0 drive which is optimized to take full advantage of Windows Vista's new ReadyBoost feature.
The drive is available in capacities of 1GB and 2GB, in this review I'm taking a look at the latter one.
The DataTraveler ReadyFlash arrives in this package. It's one of those typical hard-to-open pieces of plastic.
The unit is silver and features a blue status LED. It's not ugly but I don't think it will win any flash drive beauty contests. The drive measures 67.5mm x 20.8mm x 9.0mm, which is just a bit bigger than my little finger.
Lets take a look at the specifications:
Kingston says the drive will work without a problem under Linux 2.4 and above, Mac OS X 10.x and above and under Windows XP SP1, Windows 2000 SP3 and Windows Vista.Capacities — 1GB, 2GB Dimensions — 2.67" x 0.829" x 0.355" (67.7mm x 20.8mm x 9.0mm) Operating Temperatures — 0° C to 60° C (32° F to 140° F) Storage Temperatures — -20° C to 85° C (-4° F to 185° F) ReadyBoost Performance — Exceeds the minimum Microsoft ReadyBoost performance requirements for USB drives of: 5 MB/sec throughput for random 4k reads across the entire device, 3 MB/sec throughput for random 512k writes Convenient — pocket-sized for easy transportability Simple — just plug into a USB 2.0 port Guaranteed — five-year warranty
Besides a ring so you can attach the DataTraveler ReadyBoost to your keychain, the package doesn't contain any extras. Unfortunately a USB extension cable isn't included with this USB drive.
The two sides of the drive feature some black plastic ridges which are designed to make it a bit easier to pull the USB stick back from a USB port.
Now lets move on to the second page for the performance tests.
Added: May 2nd 2007
Product reviewed: Kingston DataTraveler ReadyFlash Flash Drive
Reviewer: Thomas De Maesschalck
Score: 8.5/10
Page: 1/2
