And Now 256GB Into a Tiny USB Flash Key, From Kingston

Kingston Technology Europe Ltd., a subsidiary of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., announced the launch of the world’s first 256GB USB flash drive, the Kingston Technology DataTraveler 300. The Kingston DataTraveler 300, allows users to carry around a whole digital world, from thousands of image files to a whole database of documents. Users will also benefit from quick transfer rates and the option to password protects their data.

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The Kingston DataTraveler 300 is ideal for netbook users who want to extend the limited capacity of their machines. It can also be used by business consumers who work with large databases, or even designers who need to transfer large graphic files from one place to another.

“The DataTraveler 300 will enable users to carry huge volumes of data with them everywhere they go – up to 365 CDs for example. That’s one album for every day of the year, and it demonstrates how far flash technology has developed,” said Kirsty Miller, Product Marketing Manager, Consumer, Kingston Technology Europe. “Business users and consumers can also safeguard their data by initializing the Password Traveler software which will allow them to password protect their data in a privacy zone without the need of administrator rights.”

The Kingston DataTraveler 300 features a sleek cap-less design that will protect the USB connector when it is not in use and is enhanced for Windows Readyboost. The Kingston DataTraveler 300 is available only in 256GB and is backed by a five-year warranty and 24/7 Tech Support. The Kingston DataTraveler is built to order only; customers who wish to purchase the drive can place an order with many reseller and e-tailers.

DataTraveler 300 Product Features and Specifications:

Capacity: 256 GB
Speed: Data transfer rates of up to 20 MB/sec. read and 10 MB/sec. write
Safeguarded: includes Password Traveler security software for Windows
Convenient: does not require Administrator rights to access the Privacy Zone
Dimensions: 2.78” x 0.67” x 0.87” (70.68 mm x 16.90 mm x 21.99 mm)
Operating Temperature: 32° to 140° F (0° to 60°C)
Storage Temperature: -4° to 185° F (-20° to 85°C)
Simple: just plug into a USB port
Practical: durable, capless design
Guaranteed: five-year warranty
Enhanced: for Windows ReadyBoost on Vista-based systems

Comments

After launching approximately one month ago the DataTraveler 200 with a record capacity of 126GB, Kingston is surprising the industry with this new DataTraveler 300 at 256GB. If the company follows this trend, a flash key of 512GB could be available before the end of the year.

Per comparison, the highest capacity of a 2.5-inch HDD is currently 500GB - with much bigger size than a USB key and needing an enclosure and a cable -, with the first one announced last September 2008 by WD. Nine months later, nobody has launched a higher capacity unit. And the next one could be only 640GB, by Seagate.

Between an USB key and an external USB HDD of half-terabyte, the user will prefer the smaller flash unit. The only argument in favor of the disk drive today is the price: £565,67 or €657.08 or $927 for the 256GB Kingston key, around $90 for the rotational device or ten times less for twice more the capacity. But, on the long term, the $/GB price is going down faster for flash than HDD. We will not be surprised to see a 256GB key at half the current price of Kingston before the end of the year. There is no chance to see the price of a 500GB HDD divided by two at the same time.

For the optical disc industry, the situation is even worse. 256GB is the equivalent of 54 rewritable DVDs. If you add the unit to burn them, total price is around $125. More than that, because of the diameter of the disc (12cm), all the drives are in a larger 3.5-inch form factor and require a special burning software.

Read also:
USB Flash Key With Record 128GB Capacity by Kingston
But priced at $546