Exclusive: Lexar debuts mysterious AI grade stick form factor that promises hot swap, blazing speeds — and no, I've got absolutely no clue how much it costs and whether device vendors will actually use it

AI-Grade Stick targets heavy AI workloads with emphasis on blazing speeds

News By Efosa Udinmwen published 10 January 2026

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• Lexar AI-Grade Storage Stick introduces a hot-swappable AI-Grade stick for high-performance AI laptops
• Modular design promises instant storage expansion without shutting down systems
• Practical adoption remains uncertain due to unknown pricing and vendor support

Lexar has debuted a modular AI-Grade Storage Stick designed to expand next-generation storage capacity instantly on compatible business laptops and mobile workstations.

Revealed at CES 2026, The storage stick supports hot swapping, allowing users to expand storage capacity instantly without powering down devices.

While this approach is technically appealing, pricing and adoption by device vendors remain entirely unclear, leaving questions about its practical relevance in real-world scenarios

Designed for AI Workloads

The AI-Grade Stick is engineered for high-performance computational tasks, promising blazing speeds suitable for AI-driven applications.

Its compact, modular design emphasizes portability and immediate accessibility, suggesting potential value for professionals who require flexible storage solutions on the go.

When plugged in, this device integrates directly with the host system rather than behaving like a passive external device.

Lexar says it is not an alternative for internal SSDs, but offers a new expansion tier for systems where built-in capacity is increasingly limited

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