Kingston XS1000

Kingston XS1000– When you think of a typical external SSD, the words ‘compact’ and ‘palm-sized’ probably don’t come to mind. For the most part, these storage devices have historically been rather bulky and basic in design. However, Kingston has taken a different approach with its new XS1000 SSD, stripping it down to the essentials.

From the days of floppy disks to today’s ultra-portable drives with vastly increased storage capacity, the world of storage technology is evolving rapidly. Are we finally bidding farewell to painfully slow file transfers and data corruption? Could Kingston’s latest portable external hard drive be a glimpse into the future?

The XS1000 fully embraces the ‘XS’ part of its name. It’s incredibly small, almost endearingly so. Measuring just 2.73×1.28 inches, it resembles an 8GB USB thumb drive more than a typical 2TB external SSD. The only concern with its size is the risk of misplacing it. It would have been convenient if it came with a small clip for a keyring or a carabiner attachment. Additionally, it’s worth noting how slender this little device is, a mere 0.5 inches thick. Combined with its soft-touch matte finish, it’s comfortable to hold in your hand. You can easily toss it into any bag for your travels, knowing you have 2TB of storage at your fingertips. Moreover, it weighs just 0.06 pounds, further enhancing its portability.

In terms of design, it’s subtle, sporting only a matte black finish with the Kingston logo in white as its sole branding. While it may not boast a flashy design, that’s not a concern for an external SSD. In fact, minimalism and discretion are preferable, making this design and form factor a thumbs-up from us.

Now, let’s delve into the technology packed into this tiny device. As mentioned, our model boasts an impressive 2TB storage capacity, a remarkable amount for such a compact SSD. We’ve grown accustomed to this technology in M.2 SSDs of the same physical size, but it’s great to see it in a portable form.

However, one thing to note is that the Kingston XS1000 doesn’t offer the same read and write speeds as top-performing M.2 SSDs. Nevertheless, it provides respectable read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, more than adequate for tasks like transferring important documents, photos, memories, media, and applications. If you desire even faster speeds, Kingston offers the older and more premium XS2000 model. Kudos to Kingston for keeping their naming scheme straightforward.

The XS1000 employs a USB 3.2 Gen2 cable, Type-C to Type-A, which is superior and more convenient than some of the older cables used on larger external SSDs. It ensures a secure connection and guards against accidental cable disconnection, which could lead to file corruption.

Lastly, let’s talk about the price. Our 2TB model costs $110, an attractive price point considering what you get. It’s highly versatile, portable, lightweight, and boasts a substantial storage capacity. With this drive, you can easily transfer files on the go without hassle. It won’t take up much space in your bag, fits in your pocket, and is a valuable addition to your on-the-go tech essentials. If you prefer a minimalist approach to life, this is the drive for you.

Despite all the positives, it’s worth mentioning that the XS1000 lacks hardware encryption, which might be a concern for business users. However, it appears to be targeted more towards creative professionals. While a rubberized case would have been a nice addition, as noted earlier, it still offers excellent value for money. All in all, this is an impressive little device!