Buffalo unveils a 100GB flash drive

Although we've seen flash SSDs that top out at 416GB, nothing in the mainstream is really bigger than 64GB -- but Buffalo's new SHD-UHRS series seems like it's bringing the status quo up to 100GB. The USB 2.0 external drive uses two different types of flash memory to reach that capacity, yet it's only about the size of a business card and weighs just two ounces. Those of you somehow entranced by the case design but lacking the ¥107,720 ($952) for the 100GB model needn't worry, however: Buffalo is also shipping a 32GB version for a pretty competitive ¥35,400 ($312) and a 64GB model for ¥75,340 ($665).

[sam @ Dec 19th 2007 12:12PM]

too bad its only usb 2.0

[bumble @ Dec 19th 2007 12:11PM]

What's the read and write speeds on these things?

[aa @ Dec 19th 2007 2:56PM]

the word 'quo' sucks. just to emphasize how crappy it sounds, they should "status quo" to "status quwevoeachkuoapifthoo"

[Joe Shmoe @ Dec 19th 2007 12:16PM]

Who's going to buy this again? Yeah, that's right, no one...

[TruthBringR @ Dec 19th 2007 12:20PM]

Whew - only $1000 to play for a chance to lose all your data to electro-static-discharge!

[ScareyJ @ Dec 19th 2007 12:51PM]

Flash/SSD is quite durable ... much more so than the usual device containing it. Almost all electronics can be damaged with static, including magnetic drives' attached controller which aren't too cheap to repair/replace. However, theres no bearings to burn up, motors to fail, headers to crash on the SSD. SSD also produces less heat ... an nemesis for most electronic's life span.

SSD is pretty ideal for portable drives ... smaller, lighter, durable. USB 2.0 is a good match with a 40MBps transfer speed, if the flash can pull reads near that speed, this is a great drive.

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2007 12:31PM]

Hey, Can someone do the math for me... How many MP3 and movies would this hold?.... Oh wait, I thought it was an announcement for the latest IPOD.

[darkn @ Dec 19th 2007 4:00PM]

Fail...

[Logan1337 @ Dec 19th 2007 12:34PM]

USB 2.0? Ick.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 19th 2007 12:32PM]

100 GB is impressive for its size but would it not be morre practical to just buy a $300 travel drive?

This seems like something for people who like to steal files from friends when they are left alone with their computers.

[Larz @ Dec 19th 2007 4:31PM]

True, it would be more cost-effective to buy a 2.5" external at this time. The importance of this device is it's contribution to the trend of storage going the no-moving-parts route.

Yes, this is expensive, with so-so capacity, and--while smaller than a 2.5--not that small. Still, it's a good leap ahead in flash technology.

[Tired_ @ Dec 19th 2007 12:56PM]

Wow. This puppy just screams "Take me out of my casing and install me in your Eee."

[wrabbit @ Dec 19th 2007 1:05PM]

So true!

[Toadlet @ Dec 19th 2007 4:21PM]

That's what HE said.

[wrabbit @ Dec 19th 2007 1:04PM]

So what happened with powers of two based quantities? I would think that after 64GB the next one would be 128GB.

Anyway, like people pointed out, until the USB is upgraded to higher speeds, it pretty much becomes a bottleneck with those SSD drives doesn't it?

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2007 2:45PM]

Uhm, 100 GB hard drives have been available for quite awhile.

[Sos Oganessian @ Dec 19th 2007 8:49PM]

i was wondering the same thing and i could figure out was

64+32+4=100, but it the articles say its using 2 type of storage, so maybe its just 96GB, and they are rounding up.

[mattsx @ Dec 19th 2007 1:09PM]

Dang that's the biggest USB connector I've ever seen!!!

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2007 2:46PM]

It does look big!! That is the problem with realizing scale with images all over the web.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 19th 2007 1:26PM]

Wonder if I can use this with ReadyBoost to make a Windows Vista machine bearable.

[coach @ Dec 19th 2007 1:51PM]

Nu put that thing in an iPhone and you have a winner. Oh shit, did I just use the i-word?

[Jarhead111 @ Dec 19th 2007 2:53PM]

way too expensive for me...

[Kurtis @ Dec 19th 2007 3:15PM]

The question is: Is 1GB equal to 1,000,000,000 bytes (which would make the drive really about 93GB) or is it an actual gigabyte (which is 1,073,741,824 bytes)

[tundraboy @ Dec 19th 2007 3:39PM]

Until Buffalo finds me a replacement fan for my Buffalo Linkstation, the same fan that crapped up two months after my one year warranty period expired, I am going to post on every Buffalo product review that THIS COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BY ITS PRODUCTS.

I'm not even asking for a free replacement part. I just want them to make it available for sale or tell me where I can go buy one.

[kawaiipikachu @ Dec 21st 2007 6:12PM]

Mr complainer

[Brendan @ Dec 19th 2007 5:39PM]

I'm confused - is the economy so good that we're paying $1,000 for 100GB of storage? If so, maybe I _should_ refinance my mortgage again - and buy that new Escalade too