Kingston DataTraveler (4 GB) (DTSP/4GB)

It had become a habit for me to carry at least one USB memory stick. I used to but Lexar Media USB Jump-Drive's exclusively, but my memory requirement quickly out-paced their ability to introduce new larger capacity memory sticks. So last year I switched to a SanDisk Cruzer Mini 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive. But once again my storage requirement started to stretch the upper limits of this drive, so the search was on for a large capacity unit. I found the Kingston DataTransfer 4GB 2.0 Flash Drive at Buy.com for a reasonable price, plus it had a rebate offer.

Then Along Came an Even Smaller Chip:

Computer technology seems to move at a pace designed to keep us, the end user, always wanting for the latest and greatest, whether we need it or not. Every once in a while thought, there comes a product that revolutionalizes the way we compute and share information. Such was the case with the introduction of CD/RW technology, and so it is with the advent of USB flash memory devices.

For the uninitiated, USB flash memory devices are small ultra-portable devices capable of storing from 32MB to a now astounding 8.0GB of memory storage in a single device. All are designed to transfer data via an available USB port, no matter the version of USB your computer has; i.e. 1.1, 1.2, or 2.0, and most are designed to be carried on a key chain. That should give you an indication of their size and portability.

In the Package:

Kingston DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive
Lanyard
Quick Start Guide

The DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive is remarkably small (about 3 inches long) high capacity grey and white USB Flash Drive with a storage capacity of 4.0GB (about 3.88GB after formatting). On one end of the drive is a male USB connector. Close to it large circular green LED that blinks when the drive is sending or receiving information. A color coordinated plastic cap covers the USB port end of the drive, and a small flimsy lanyard can be attached at the end of the drive. The lanyard has a small ring at the end that can be attached to a key ring.

There are no drivers to install, and the drive is compatible with both Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X.

First Impressions:

I love this drive! Light and transparent, the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive fits easily into my breast pocket or one of the numerous side and or interior pockets in my laptop case. But because the drive does not include a shirt pocket clip I cannot carry it that way, which is just as well. Unlike other drives I have had in the past the USB port cover fits snuggly on both ends; I have yet to loose one.

The DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive is easy to use, and as I pointed out above, the drive is designed for the Windows 2000/XP (SP1 and above)/Vista and Mac X Operating Systems (OS); Windows NT/95/98/98SE/Me are not supported, most likely because none of these OS's support USB version 2.0. Both Windows XP and Mac X OS's have the ability to automatically recognize new hardware via plug-n-play technologies. There is no software to install.

Once inserted into an available USB port, the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive automatically set up as a removable drive, and as such is accessible just as any hard drive or a CD/ROM drive. They can even be formatted as boot devices. File transfers are quick and painless via the USB port, and I have experience no file corruption to date, nor do I expect any. Be advised, that if you have a preponderance of mapped drives already on your computer, as I do, Windows XP may not assign your removable media the next open drive letter; this happen to me. If you insert the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive and get the message that new hardware has been found and is now available for use, but the device is not assigned a drive letter, you must go to Control Panel /Administrative Tools/ Computer Manager/ Disk Manager, to manually assign the drive letter.

I have created several Windows "Briefcases" on the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive into which I have "synced" all of my most important files from my home based file server. These are the same files I have available on my laptop via Windows "off-line files and folders." I routinely transfers files from my laptop computer to my workstation computer at work via the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive. And because the memory in the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive is none-volatile, once removed from the USB port, your files follow you wherever you go. Nothing could be simpler; nothing could be easier; nothing could be more advanced!

Conclusion

I couldn't ask for a better product then the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive. Small, lightweight and extremely utilitarian, the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive is my new my new best friend. If you need a small, versatile, hi-speed, large capacity USB Flask Drive, look no further then the DataTransfer 4GB Flash Drive by Kingston.