Kingston Announces World's First 1 TB Flash Drive

By Zak Islam
published

512 GB version now shipping for $1,750.

Kingston has announced the world's first 1 terabyte flash drive during the Consumer Electronics Show.

Set to launch during 2013's Q1 (between January 1 until March 31), the DataTraveler HyperX Predator 3.0 will offer read/write speeds of up to 240MB/s and 160MB/s, respectively. Kingston has launched a 512 GB version in the market, but it won't be cheap: it's priced at $1,750, with the price tag for the 1 TB flash drive yet to be announced.

The company is also launching 32 GB and 64 GB versions that deliver read/write speeds of 150MB/s and 70MB/s. As for the world's largest-capacity USB 3.0 Flash drive, Kingston said that it's achieved SuperSpeed USB 3.0 certification and is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0, as well as supporting Windows 8.

"Our new DataTraveler HyperX Predator 3.0 allows users to store their entire digital world on a portable USB 3.0 Flash drive," said Andrew Ewing, Kingston's Flash memory business manager. "The large capacity and fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds allow users to save time as they can access, edit and transfer applications or files such as HD movies directly from the drive without any performance lag."

Kingston HyperX Predator 3.0 features and specifications are as follows:

  • Highest capacities: uncompromised data storage to carry your digital world on a portable USB drive
  • Highest performance: unparalleled speeds to save time while transferring content rich data
  • Zinc alloy metal casing: resilient protection for data in a cutting-edge design
  • HyperX valet keychain: exclusive accessory for a stylish twist to portable storage
  • Guaranteed: five-year warranty and free technical support for added peace of mind
  • Speed: USB 3.0: 240MB/s read and 160MB/s write -- USB 2.0: 30MB/s read and 30MB/s write
  • Backwards compatible with USB 2.0
  • Capacities: 512GB, 1TB (later Q1)
  • Dimensions: without key ring: 2.8346" x 1.0606" x 0.8268" (72mm x 26.94mm x 21mm) -- with key ring: 3.4854" x 1.0606" x 0.8268" (88.53mm x 26.94mm x 21mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)
  • Storage Temperature: -4°F to 185°F (-20°C to 85°C)
  • USB 3.0: latest USB standard guarantees backwards compatibility with USB 2.0

Stay tuned for our hands-on impressions.

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Zak Islam
22 Comments Comment from the forums
  • fuzzion
    The day is getting closer when we start to look at 1gb as 1mb
    Reply
  • infernocy
    this is really impressive but the amount of money depends on the amount of usage and longevity .. i bought a really expensive hand luggage for about $250 and i use it for 7 years now , also i bought archos AV700 for 500 euros about 8 years ago and it pretty much do what today players do
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    fuzzionThe day is getting closer when we start to look at 1gb as 1mbLOL...what's a KB? Just kidding.

    1 TB of Flash? That's a LOT of porn to fit in your pocket. :D

    No really, this will probably be used in the future to boot a desktop from a Flash with the OS and it's programs installed onto it. That's just my guess. Give it a few years when the price isn't ridiculous.
    Reply
  • abbadon_34
    Better hope they delivery something at least CLOSE to true USB3.0 speeds, or there going to be some real problems (other than price of course). One can only hope something like
    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/via-labs-nand-flash-controller,19768.html
    will be part of the package.
    Reply
  • randomizer
    I still have a 512MB drive that I regularly use (and a 128MB that only recently died). It's mostly read only in that I never add anything to it, but it's still useful. It's also indestructible. I could throw it off a 30 floor building and it would just bounce. I can't say the same for my higher capacity drives unfortunately.
    Reply
  • jn77
    What concerns me here is that Kingston does not manufacture flash chips, so why don't we hear about more of these being out there.... particularly from Samsung or Micron, or Sandisk. As much as I like sandisk products........ 128gb, 256gb micro sdxc cards for android 4.x should have been on the market 2 years ago,

    If you look for 128gb and 256gb usb 3.0 thumb drives...... they are out there, but have not come down in price... The memory manufactures must have some sort of agreement that they don't release stuff that should be on the market so they can soak up these crazy prices on memory.
    Reply
  • @jn77 u wanna drive a mercedes but u dont wanna pay for it... premium items come with a premium price tag
    Reply
  • Soda-88
    I'd rather buy a 512GB SSD and USB3.0 enclosure for $350-400.
    Reply
  • Afrospinach
    Imagine pulling your keys out your pocket and hearing that disappear down a storm drain.
    Reply
  • leandrodafontoura
    Ugly as hell tought, but Its very good to see this
    Reply