SanDisk at CES 2009

SanDisk today rolled out its CES lineup with a focus on its USB flash drive range. The Ultra Backup is characterized as the first plug-in USB jump drive to have a button-activated backup feature that automatically syncs information between the host computer and the removable storage. It also lets users lock down longer-lasting information with password protection and AES encryption performed entirely in hardware.

The company hasn't explained operating system support but will ship the Ultra Backup in April with capacities ranging between 8GB and 64GB. Prices should float between $40 and $200.

SanDisk also plans to introduce a redesigned version of the Cruzer as a less complex sibling to the Ultra Backup. It lacks the backup button and encryption features but carries the new design and supports U3 technology to run Windows apps directly from the drive. It will come in capacities between 4GB and 32GB and will cost significantly less than the backup drive, starting at $25 and peaking at $100 when it also ships in April.

The firm has also introduced the second generation of its pSSD solid-state drive for netbooks and other handheld or otherwise very small computers. The new version adds a SATA interface that provides potentially faster performance and uses SanDisk's newer 43 nanometer flash memory to pack as much as 64GB on to a card-sized drive. SanDisk doesn't provide pricing but says a 32GB drive costs as much as a less dense, 2.5-inch notebook drive. The new pSSD models should start at 8GB and will be available from February, though it's not known whether it will be available outside of pre-assembled devices.

By Electronista Staff