COLOGNE, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2002--SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK - News) today introduced the ImageMate(TM) 6-in-1 memory card reader, the world's first hi-speed, USB 2.0, multi-card reader. The reader has slots for CompactFlash® Type I and II cards, SmartMedia(TM), SD(TM), Memory Stick® and the MultiMediaCard. It is also backward compatible and can be used with computers based on USB 1.1. The announcement was made at the Photokina trade show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Hall 5.1, A-11.
Most card readers in use today employ USB 1.1 technology that has a data transfer rate of 12 megabits a second (Mbps). With hi-speed USB 2.0, SanDisk's new ImageMate 6-in-1 card reader is capable of data transfer rates of up to 480Mbps.

Eric Bone, a SanDisk product marketing manager, said, "With the capacity of memory cards increasing all the time, and the desire of users to transfer more and more data, audio and video, consumers will see a genuine benefit in the new ImageMate 6-in-1 reader. With the major industry shift to USB 2.0, SanDisk wanted to incorporate the most advanced technology into the ImageMate 6-in-1 reader. With so many new systems and devices starting to move to USB 2.0 now, consumers should be buying USB 2.0 products, such as our new reader, for their future needs."

Most new desktop computers are expected to have USB 2.0 by the end of this year with laptops and notebooks incorporating the new technology next year.

Bone added, "The ImageMate 6-in-1 reader, which comes with a docking station, has an attractive, silver-metallic look, similar to the sleek design of our popular Cruzer(TM) personal storage device. We expect this reader to be a hit with consumers because so many of them have several different types of memory cards and would like to have one reader to handle all the cards they own."

The docking station provides a convenience factor for desktop owners who also want to use the ImageMate 6-in-1 reader with their portable computers. For travel, the reader can be removed from the docking station and later used with a short cable included with the reader that allows for easy plug-in to portable computers. The multi-card reader is about the same dimension as SanDisk's current line of dual card readers, but slightly thinner.

The new reader has a suggested retail price of $49.99 and will be available in October in many of the thousands of stores worldwide that carry SanDisk products.

All SanDisk ImageMate readers are true "plug and play" due to USB Mass Storage Class (MSC) compliance when used with Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Mac OS 10.1.2+. The readers are fully compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and Mac OS 9.1.x+, Mac OS X v10.1.2+ and Mac OS Xv10.2.

The 6-in-1 reader also boasts power and activity lights which indicate to users when the device has power and if the cards are properly plugged into the memory slots and ready for use.

SanDisk, the world's largest supplier of flash data storage 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, Calif.

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-A and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies assume no obligation to update the information in this release.

SanDisk's web site/home page address: http://www.sandisk.com.