If fast performance is a priority, look no further than the Kingston DataTraveler HyperX, a $39 flash drive that lets users send and receive data quickly. It may lack backup and security software, but it’s a fine drive for those that want to tote a good amount of data and save time.
Design
Measuring 2.8 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches and weighing a barely-there 0.4 ounces, the DataTraveler HyperX can be stashed anywhere without providing additional bulk. The drive features a simple black and blue color scheme, and its brushed aluminum and rubber body feels far more durable than Kingston’s flimsier DataTraveler Style.
We liked the slide-out USB connector, which guaranteed we wouldn’t hunt for lost caps, but initially, it was very stiff. After a few dozen extensions and retractions, however, the connector began to pop out with ease. Kingston includes a lanyard for keeping the drive close at all times.
Performance
The DataTraveler HyperX delivered the best all-around performance we’ve seen in a USB flash drive. We wrote a 1GB folder to the stick in 1 minute and 8 seconds, which translated into a speedy 15.0 MBps. That’s 3.4 MBps faster than the second-fastest flash drive we’ve tested recently, the Patriot Xporter XT Boost, and is almost 8 MBps faster than the 7.7 MBps category average.
On our read test, the HyperX pushed the 1GB file along in just 38 seconds, or 26.9 MBps, which finished second only to the ultra-swift OCZ Technology Rally2’s 33.9 MBps, and was 5.1 MBps faster than the category average. The OS-agnostic HyperX is compatible with Linux 2.6, Mac OS X, and Windows 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems.
Verdict
Backed by a lengthy five-year warranty, the Kingston DataTraveler HyperX is a very capable drive that should satisfy all but the most demanding business users who require encryption and backup software. While it’s more expensive on a per-gigabyte basis than comparable drives, everyday users who need to transfer files—and do so quickly—will find it quite the satisfying option.
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