Kingston Dual Portable SSD review - Ultra-compact storage, multi-connectivity

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Kingston Dual Portable SSD is a compact and powerful multi-platform portable SSD solution.

Currently, the need for personal data storage is rapidly shifting from bulky devices to compact, lightweight solutions that still maintain quality and speed. Data is no longer confined to a single device but is constantly transferring and moving between different hardware ecosystems: from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets. However, the more diverse the hardware devices, the more complex the connection issues become. For example, desktops and laptops often still maintain the traditional USB Type-A port, while smartphones and tablets have almost completely switched to USB Type-C. If you need large, fast storage but don't want to carry too many adapters or cables, the answer is Kingston Dual Portable SSD. This hybrid storage solution combines large capacity, fast performance and reliable quality in a highly portable design.

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Instead of focusing solely on theoretical performance metrics, the Kingston Dual Portable SSD prioritizes real-world user experience. Designed for students, office professionals and content creators who frequently work on the go, the Kingston SPSD serves as an all-in-one storage solution that is portable and seamlessly compatible with a wide range of devices.

Kingston Dual Portable SSD Design

Compact and sturdy

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According to Kingston, the Dual Portable SSD is camouflaged as a traditional thumb drive. It's a perfect "disguise". While most portable SSDs on the market are larger, thicker, or heavier than USB flash drives and connect via a separate cable, the Dual Portable SSD is the complete opposite. Measuring 71.85 mm in length, 21.1 mm in width and 8.6 mm in thickness, the Kingston Dual Portable SSD is virtually identical to the familiar flash drives of over 20 years.

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Weighing in at just 13 grams, the Dual Portable SSD is incredibly lightweight, allowing users to easily carry it around - even lighter than a bunch of keys. You can slip it into your shirt pocket, the smallest compartment in your backpack, or anywhere convenient. Of course, it would be even better if Kingston designed a keychain attachment; users could then treat the Dual Portable SSD as a stylish accessory.

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The outer casing of the Kingston Dual Portable SSD is made from two main materials: metal and plastic. The metal frame occupies most of the surface area, providing a solid, premium and cool feel. The dominant red color of the Kingston SPSD reflects personality, dynamism and aesthetic appeal. Kingston chose metal for the casing because it is both beautiful and sturdy, while also providing good heat dissipation for the internal components. The plastic material is used for the connector cover, which has a transparent, smoky finish. The cover is detachable, not integrated into the body and has no connecting cable, so the possibility of losing it is quite high if you are careless.

Multi-connectivity design

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The Kingston Dual Portable SSD's strength lies in its versatile connectivity. The manufacturer has integrated both USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports, completely eliminating the hassle of tangled and easily misplaced cables. To connect to a desktop or laptop, simply remove the USB-A cover; for mobile devices, remove the USB-C cover and plug directly in. With these simple steps, you can quickly copy or transfer data regardless of the device. The USB Type-C connector design is also excellent, taking up minimal space and offering high compatibility, allowing easy connection to laptops or smartphones, even when using a protective case.

Kingston SPSD component parts

Controller SM2322

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The primary controller for the Kingston Dual Portable SSD is the Silicon Motion SM2322. This is a new generation single-chip solution, commonly used in portable SSDs, that controls the SSD (usually NVMe protocol) and acts as a bridge to convert NVMe signals to USB. Using a single chip compared to older dual-chip designs optimizes size and energy efficiency, making it easily compatible with smartphones. The SM2322 controller also incorporates Silicon Motion's 4KB LDPC NANDXtend error correction technology. This technology enhances the durability and data retention of 3D NAND memory chips, ensuring data integrity during long-term use.

3D NAND memory chips

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The storage "employees" behind the Silicon Motion SM2322 are 3D NAND flash memory chips. Unlike the older 2D Planar NAND technology (memory cells arranged on a plane, limiting storage density), 3D NAND technology allows for stacking layers of memory cells vertically. Thanks to 3D NAND flash, Kingston can increase the storage capacity of its Dual Portable SSD model to 2 TB with extremely limited space. In addition to the 1 TB version in this article, Kingston SPSD also offers two other options depending on your needs and budget: 512 GB and 2 TB. Kingston is also very confident in the product's durability, providing a 5-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.

Practical applications

Multi-platform ecosystem

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Kingston Dual Portable SSDs boast multi-platform compatibility within the user's technology ecosystem. If you use an Android smartphone, there's no need to worry, as the USB Type-C port is readily available thanks to the USB OTG protocol. Connecting the Dual Portable SSD to your Android smartphone allows you to easily watch 4K movies, listen to lossless music directly without wasting storage space and back up and share data efficiently.

If you're using an iPhone 15 or later, Dual Portable SSD storage is also easily compatible - plug and play. Kingston SPSD's exFAT format is compatible with both Windows and macOS and if you need to back up with Time Machine, reformatting is also very quick.

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With its USB Type-A port, the Kingston Dual Portable SSD doesn't leave out older desktop or laptop computers. No need to search for a small and easily misplaced adapter; simply open the cover, plug it in and you're ready to go. Compatible with Windows 11, Linux v4.4x+ and ChromeOS, the product ensures smooth operation on all popular computer platforms today.

Wireless lifestyle

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Minimalism is on the rise, cables are becoming standardized and a "wireless" lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular. For example, imagine you have a meeting with a prepared slide presentation. Simply copy the file to your Kingston Dual Portable SSD and bring it with you. When it's your turn, plug the portable SSD into your laptop's Type-C port and share. After completing the presentation and reaching an agreement with your partner, simply switch to a USB-A connector, plug it into a printer and print out the contract for signing. All operations are quick and seamless.

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With its ultra-compact size and lightweight design, the Kingston Dual Portable SSD can become your mobile movie library for long journeys. Additionally, it's a great tool for quickly backing up photos and videos from your smartphone, allowing you to continue shooting without worrying about storage space. Furthermore, students can easily share lessons, reference materials and projects with each other, regardless of whether their friends' laptops are new or old.

Conclude

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Kingston Dual Portable SSD is a smart and convenient storage solution for modern life. If you need the fast read and write speeds of an SSD and the compact size of a flash drive, the Dual Portable SSD is the optimal choice. With the two most common connection ports - USB Type-A and USB Type-C - all in one sturdy, compact metal casing, Kingston solves the compatibility and flexibility problem. No need for and no fear of losing, cables; the Kingston 1TB SSD offers maximum flexibility for your modern technology ecosystem when it comes to storage devices.

Kingston Dual Portable SSD
MIGOVI SCORE
9.0
Badge
Pros
  • Sturdy build quality
  • Clean, attractive, and lightweight design
  • High portability and flexibility
  • Wide range of storage capacity options
Cons
  • Protective cap is easy to misplace
  • Available only in a single signature red color

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