SanDisk Introduces Highest Capacity CompactFlash Card First 4 Gigabyte Card That Can Be Used in Any CompactFlash Digital Camera

PMA 2004 Feb. 11, 2004 Offers Great Compatibility, Maximum Storage Capacity and Flexibility; Based On SanDisk's Advanced Technology

SanDisk Corporation today introduced the first 4-gigabyte CompactFlash card that can be used in any CompactFlash digital camera or device. The new card can store more than 2,000 high-resolution pictures, or more than 1,000 digital songs or 8 hours of MPEG 4 video.(a)

The 4GB SanDisk CompactFlash card features an advanced design from SanDisk that allows it to operate in cameras that use either the FAT16 or FAT32 file formats. It is the only CompactFlash card of its capacity and compatibility level that is available in the popular Type I format and fits into any CompactFlash slot.

The new 4GB SanDisk CompactFlash card was introduced at the annual Photo Marketing Association trade show where SanDisk

Wes Brewer, senior director of retail product marketing and business development at SanDisk, said, "SanDisk had the opportunity to do a quick-release of a 4GB card back in mid 2003. Instead, we chose to hold-off on shipping the card when we realized that a large percentage of our customer base would not be able to take advantage of the huge capacity due to limitations inherent in most cameras today. Through careful analysis and design, we've come up with a truly innovative way to break down these limitations -- limitations that have plagued our competitors in this space. Our patent-pending switch design allows consumers to utilize the full capacity of the card."

Technological Breakthrough for the Highest Compatibility

The 4GB SanDisk CompactFlash card highlights a significant technological breakthrough in compatibility. The File allocation table (FAT) is an area on storage media that contains certain information such as the location of data files, their names, sizes and so on. FAT16, the initial file allocation table that is used by a number of current and most older digital cameras, cannot use CompactFlash cards that are greater than 2GB. FAT32 uses a 32-bit number to point to where the pieces of a file are stored and circumvents the 2GB capacity limit to allow access to storage media up to several Terabytes. Today, only a few manufacturers and camera models utilize the newer FAT32 File format.

The new 4GB SanDisk CompactFlash card features a three-position switch located in the left-hand area of the card so consumers can switch between either a single 4GB (FAT32) volume or two separate 2GB (FAT16) volumes. The switchable 4GB card ensures that users of cameras with either file format will be able to use the new card. For maximum customer satisfaction, SanDisk will initially ship the card in a FAT16 configuration -- two FAT 16 partitions -- eliminating the need for most users to reposition the switch and reformat.

The 4GB CompactFlash card has a suggested retail price of $999.99 and is expected to start shipping in April.

SanDisk, the world's largest supplier of flash memory data storage card products, designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, digital imaging and audio storage products using its patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale, CA.

The matters discussed in this news release contain forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as described under the caption, "Factors That May Affect Future Results" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SanDisk cannot guarantee that it will succeed to manufacture competitively the 4GB CompactFlash card or that its sales of the 4GB CompactFlash card will contribute materially to SanDisk's revenues or profits. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.