Be warned: there are a number of fakes out there. However, as of June 2009, there are now three 128GB USB flash drives available from reputable companies. Kingston was the first, making an announcement mid June of 2009.
Also at the end of June 2009, Edge-Tech and Patriot announced they also now have 128GB drives.
In 2008, a number of companies released 64GB USB flash drives. In 2009, there started to be claims that there are also 128GB USB flash dives available. While there are reliable 64 GB USB thumb drives available from well known online and off line suppliers, there were no actual 128GB capacity drives on the market until June 2009. There is a supply of counterfeit goods from China, made of hacked 512mb, 2GB and, 4GB flash drives formatted to appear as 16GB, 3GB, 64GBGB and 128GB flash drives.
However, on June 15, 2009, Kingston announced they are selling a 128GB USB flash drive. Because of the enormous number of fake 128GB USB flash drives on the market, it is very important to know what Kingston's 128 GB drive looks like.
The drive is in the new Data Traveler series 200, which has three sizes: 128GB, 64GB and 128GB. The 32GB and 64GB drives are readily available from reputable online sellers such as Amazon and Newegg, however, Kingston says each 128GB drive (MRSP $547) is built to order.
Currently, Kingston is backed up with orders for the 128GB size until about 7/15/2009. While the drive can be ordered from Amazon, right now it looks like their price is over $1000, and they too have none in stock as of 6/18/2009.
The Data Traveler 200 line is very distinct from other series of USB drives sold by Kingston.
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128GB drive shown in open and closed state.
The 32GB drive has a blue end with lanyard slot, the 64GB drive has a yellow end with lanyard slot, and the 128GB drive is solid black, as shown in the pictures above.
If you see a Kingston 128GB drive advertised, and it does not look like the pictures here, it is a fake. Notice the differences between this drive and the fake shown on the next page.
Keep reading for more info on fake 128 GB drives; don't get swindled!