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[] ] AFFORDABLE USB 3.0 FLASH DRIVESKINGSTON DATATRAVELER 100 G3
$15
http://www.kingston.com
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacity: 8, 16, 32, 64, 128GB
Sliding cover
Dimensions: 60 x 21 x 10mmSANDISK ULTRA FIT
$15
http://www.sandisk.com.au
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacities: 16 , 32, 64, 128GB
Dongle Cap
Dimensions: 19 x 16 x 9mmSANDISK ULTRA DUAL M3.0
$18
http://www.sandisk.com.au
CRITICAL SPECS
Capacity: 16 , 32, 64, 128GB
Type-A and microUSB
Dimensions: 30 x 25 x 11mmKingston DataTraveler
100 G3
CAN AN OLDER DRIVE KEEP UP?LAUNCHED BACK IN 2015, the Kingston
DataTraveler is one of the more common
affordable USB 3.0 drives available. A 32GB
model can be picked up for as little as $15,
and a 16GB drive is just $10. The 100 G3 comes
in a large range of capacities — 8GB, 16GB,
32GB, 64GB and 128GB — with the latter
costing $55. With a rugged plastic shell,
the G3 protects the USB connector with
a sliding plastic cover. It’s only available in
black, though is a fairly nice looking flash
drive. The G3 comes formatted in FAT32,
and is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.
While the design makes it easy to insert,
it does not protect the open end from
collecting fluff. While the G3 is rated for up to
100MB/s read speed, we only managed to pull
78MB/s reading, and an even slower 23MB/s
write speed.
The drive measures in at 60 x 21 x 10mm,
and weighs 11.2 grams. While it’s not water
or dustproof, it does come with a nice long
5-year warranty.SanDisk Ultra Fit
A COMPACT OPTION.WHILE MANY USB drives are plugged in and
out all day long, having a longer drive sticking
out from a laptop is an easy way to damage it
or the USB port itself. The SanDisk Ultra Fit
solves the problem with a tiny little USB drive
that’s barely longer than the plug-in section
of the dongle. While a little harder to pull back
out, the Fit is slimline enough to be left
plugged into a laptop even when slipped into
a backpack. The Fit uses USB 3.0 and is rated
for read speeds up to 150MB/s, but in practice,
we achieved rates of 131MB/s reading and
71MB/s writing. The drive is available in 16GB,
32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. It comes
with a little (non-attached) plastic cap,
measures in at 19 x 16 x 9mm, and weighs just
2.5 grams. The flash drive is backed by an
excellent 5-year warranty too. It’s worth
shopping around, as the little Fit can be
bought for as little as $15, but usually closer
to our budget mark of $20.SanDisk Ultra Dual M3.0
A VERSATILE FLASH DRIVE.DESIGNED WITH A Type-A connection on
one end, and microUSB on the other, the
SanDisk Ultra Dual M3.0 can plug into
devices such as smartphones. Physically, the
drive uses a unique sliding system, which
protects, but does not fully cap off, each end.
It’s a little fiddly to use, but quite robust and
there are no parts to lose. Sandisk also has an
excellent Android app to help manage and
backup your device directly to the flash drive.
The M3.0 is available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
and 128GB capacities, with transfer rates up to
150MB/s. Of course, in our real world testing,
the speeds were slower, but still top notch at
136MB/s reading and 74MB/s writing. The
drive is backed by Sandisk’s 5-year warranty,
and includes software for password protecting
your files and data recovery. The M3.0
measures in at 30 x 25 x 11mm and weighs
5.2 grams. Slightly more expensive than its less
showy brethren, the M3.0 is easily bought for
under $20.4 4 31 / 2WINNERAPPROVED
AWARDWINNERAPPROVED
AWARD