First 1TB USB flash drive on its way

Kingston Technology will soon launch the world’s first 1TB flash drive, a USB 3.0 device that is likely to cost more than most computers do.

The company said its “DataTraveler HyperX Predator” will go on sale this quarter, and it is for “users who work with large video or graphics files, or gamers who like to travel with their entire library.”

Kingston has already launched a 512GB version, which is currently available on its website for US$1,337.

The flash drives feature a metallic casing made from a zinc alloy, and are 72mm long and 27mm across.

Both drives support the current USB 3.0 standard, with read speeds of up to 240MB per second and write speeds up to 160MB per second. They can also revert to the USB 2.0 standard.

Transfer speeds are quickly becoming a bottleneck as graphics processors and standards allow for larger file sizes. High definition video files typically require hundreds of megabytes per minute, while new top-end digital cameras have sensors of over 20 megapixels.

Kingston said the pricey peripherals are backed by a five-year warranty.

An enhanced version of USB 3.0 that will enable data transfers at up to 10G bits per second, twice the current standard, was announced earlier this week by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group. A conference to discuss the specification will be organised by Intel next month, with a final version to be prepared by the middle of the year.

The current USB 3.0 standard allows for transfer speeds of up to 5G bits per second.