Intel has launched their first SATA-600 SSD drives. Known as the 510 Series, these 2.5” drives use 34-nm flash memory chips and are available in 120 GB (USD 284) and 250 GB (USD 584) capacities. Speeds vary according to the capacity: 450 MB/s (read) and 210 MB/s (write) for the 120 GB model, and 500 MB/s (read) and 315 MB/s (write) for the 250 GB model.
Active Media has announced an enterprise-class series of 2.5” solid state drives that features MLC flash memory chips and a Marvell 88SS9174 controller. Dubbed Predator V3, it is available in capacities of 64 GB and 128 GB, has SATA-600 interface, and 128 MB of DDR3 cache memory. Speeds vary according to the capacity: 360 MB/s (read) and 410 MB/s (write) for the 128 GB model, and 100 MB/s (read) and 200 MB/s (write) for the 64 GB model. The 64 GB Predator V3 is priced at USD 199, while the 128 GB model is priced at USD 339.
OCZ has introduced their first SATA-600 SSD drives equipped with the new SandForce SF-2000 controller family, which can provide read and write speeds of up to 550 MB/s and 500 MB/s, respectively.
The Vetex 3 drives uses a SandForce SF-2200 controller and will be available in 120 GB and 240 GB capacities, while the enterprise-class Vertex 3 Pro uses a SandForce SF-2500 controller and will be available in 100 GB, 200 GB, and 400 GB models.
Both will be shown next week at the CeBIT tradeshow in Hanover, Germany, and will begin shipping following the event through OCZ's global channel.
Patriot has announced the Wildfire series of 2.5” SSD drives equipped with the new SandForce SF-2200 controller. Wildfire drives have SATA-600 interface, provide read and write speeds of up to 500 MB/s, and are available in 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB capacities. A 2.5-inch to 3.5-inch bracket is included with the Patriot Wildfire for compatibility with standard 3.5" hard drive bays. No word on pricing was provided.
Intel launched today their Thunderbolt technology, formerly known as Light Peak. Thunderbolt is a high-speed optical cable technology that promises to provide a maximum transfer rate of 10 Gbps. Just to give you an idea, USB 3.0 provides a maximum transfer rate of 4.8 Gbps.
With Thunderbolt you can transfer a full-length Blu-Ray movie in less than 30 seconds. Another advantage of the Thunderbolt technology is the ability to run multiple protocols simultaneously over a single cable, enabling the technology to connect devices such as peripherals, workstations, displays, disk drives, docking stations, and more.
Apple is the first company to have products based on the Thunderbolt technology with the new MacBook Pro laptops.
Super Talent has just announced the CoreStore series of PCI Express SSD drives, which is available in two versions: CoreStore MV (mini PCIe card) and CoreStore MP (PCIe card). While the former is intended to embedded applications, industrial PCs, all-in-one PCs, netbook, and notebooks, the latter was designed for desktop PCs.
Both use a Marvell 88NV9143 controller and are available in MLC (multi-level cell) and SLC (single-level cell) versions, with capacities ranging from 16 GB to 128 GB. CoreStore drives equipped with MLC flash memory chips provide read and write speeds of up to 350 MB/s and 80 MB/s, respectively, while for SLC versions these numbers are 350 MB/s and 220 MB/s.
Super Talent did not provide information on pricing.
Transcend has announced the launch of the JetFlash 560, a USB 2.0 flash drive that features a capless design with a retractable USB connector and a silver-tone metallic case embellished with a classic checkerboard pattern. The JetFlash 560 is now available in 4 GB (USD 15), 8 GB (USD 21), and 16 GB (USD 41) capacities.
Super Talent has announced the DataGuardian, a password-protected USB 2.0 flash drive that blocks auto-run-based malware attacks. It features a metal casing and will be available in 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB capacities. Super Talent did not provide information on pricing or availability.
Active Media has launched a USB 2.0 flash drive shaped as a 22-caliber silver bullet. Dubbed Bullet-2, this product features an aluminum casing, is waterproof and shock resistant, and is available in 4 GB (USD 14) and 8 GB (US$ 21) capacities.
The company also provides a model shaped like a 50-caliber bullet, dubbed Gold Bullet, which has the same specs and prices as the Bullet-2 model.
OCZ is developing a proprietary optical interface, called HSDL (High-Speed Data Link), for connecting SSD to desktops and servers. During this CES they displayed an SSD unit, called Ibis, using this technology. According to the manufacturer, the interface can reach up to 20 GB/s. Sounds great, but don’t forget that Intel is preparing its own optical technology, called Light Peak.
In 2011 Super Talent will release the second version of their SSD-based storage add-on card, dubbed RAIDDrive II. The RAIDDrive II will have several SSD drives installed in RAID, up to 2 TB, and the product is available in an add-on card using a PCI Express x8 connection (keep in mind that you can install x8 cards in x16 slots). According to the manufacturer, the forthcoming RAIDDrive II can reach a pretty impressive performance of up to 2.4 GB/s read and 2.2 GB/s write.
Western Digital has expanded their Scorpio Black line-up with the launch of a 750 GB 2.5-inch hard drive (model number WD7500BPKT). The new model has a SATA-300 interface, 16 MB of buffer, and spins at 7200 rpm. It has a suggested price of USD 149.
Intel has launched their newest SSD series targeted to mobile devices (netbooks, tablet and handheld devices), the 310 series. Two models were launched: 40 GB and 80 GB. Both make use of 34-nm MLC memory chips, have a mini PCI Express connector, and speeds varying according to the model, as you can check below.
40 GB model: 170 MB/s (read) and 35 MB/s (write)
80 GB model: 200 MB/s (read) and 80 MB/s (write)
Intel 310 SSD series are shipping to notebook manufacturers and they cost USD 99 and USD 179, respectively (prices for 1,000-unit quantities). Lenovo has already confirmed their intention to use these drives in their upcoming ThinkPad notebooks.
PQI has released the S725 Ninja, a new card reader with USB 2.0/1.1 interface and support for microSD and microSDHC memory cards with capacities of up to 32 GB. It measures 1.34” x 0.8 x 0.35 inches (or 34.2 x 21 x 9 mm) and weights 0.17 oz (4.8 g), besides having a 360° swiveling design. No word on pricing was provided.
Super Talent is rolling out the Storage POD, a 500 GB USB 3.0 external hard drive that can reach a maximum transfer rate of 90 MB/s when using it in USB 3.0 mode, of course. It is fully-backward compatible to the USB 2.0 standard, weighs 7 oz (200 g), and is priced at only USD 99.99. Super Talent will start shipping the Storage POD hard drive in early January 2011.
Corsair CSSD-F120GBGT-BK
Corsair Force Series GT 120 GB SATA 2.5-Inch III Solid State Drive CSSD-F120GBGT-BK 314284 Electronics Usually ships in 24 hours
