SanDisk introduces 240MB FlashDrive, the industry's highest capacity embedded flash storage device

Business Wire, April 7, 1997

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1997--SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced an IDE 240 MB FlashDrive storage device in an industry-standard 1.8-inch form factor.

The device, based on 64Mbit flash semiconductor technology, is the industry's highest capacity embedded flash storage system.

Targeted at the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) market, the 240MB FlashDrive (model SDIC-240) will be used primarily in industrial computers in numerous industries including manufacturing, aerospace, mining and electronics.

Jeff Ellerbruch, SanDisk product manager for embedded products, said: "There are customers who require large capacity, solid-state storage solutions for their applications where a disk drive cannot meet the ruggedness requirements. They need a storage device that also can be used in environments where temperatures fluctuate widely and frequently.

"This FlashDrive will enable new applications that do not currently exist because there is no high capacity, solid-state storage device available for the applications in a small form factor. Customers are looking for SanDisk to continually increase the capacity of our storage produces and we have done that with the 240MB FlashDrive."

The FlashDrive uses less than 10 percent of the power required to operate rotating, magnetic 1.8" and 2.5" hard disk drives. With an operating shock rating of 1,000 Gs (equivalent to a six-foot drop to the floor), the FlashDrive can withstand at least five times more shock and vibration than rotating 1.8" and 2.5" drives. (By comparison, hard disk drives have a rating of about 100 Gs.) Computing systems used in industrial settings typically require very durable storage devices as they are subjected to shock, vibration, extreme heat and cold, dust and high humidity.

The 240MB FlashDrive is priced at $1,699 for high-volume OEM purchases. Samples are available now, with volume production in June.

SanDisk Corp. designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, image and audio storage products using patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk has strategic alliances with Seagate Technology, Matsushita Electronic Corp., NEC Corp. and LG Semicon. Seagate holds a 25 percent equity stake in SanDisk. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale.

CONTACT: SanDisk Corporation

Bob Goligoski, 408/542-0463