SanDisk launches pSSD drives for low-cost PC sector

SanDisk is all about adding those prefixes to solid state drives, and not quite a year after we were forced to learn what uSSD really meant, the same firm is now shoving pSSD into our dictionary. Launched at Computex, these new parallel ATA solid-state drives are designed for use in the booming low-cost laptop sector, and will be available in 4/8/16GB sizes. They'll also boast a streaming read speed of 39MB/sec and a streaming write performance of 17MB/sec. According to SanDisk, the modules will be built using the outfit's Multi-Level Cell (MLC) and Single-Level Cell (SLC) flash memory at fabrication plants in Yokkaichi, Japan, and while dollars and / or yen weren't talked about, you can get set to grab your own when they land in August.

[Luke @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:21PM]

Spiffy.

[Aguiluz @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:29PM]

A spiffy break from all the expensive SSDs. ;)

How much does it cost? Any numbers?

[Josh @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:33PM]

So, 'disc' is spelled with a "K" unless is optical media. Like a digital video disc. Solid state Disk would be the correct way to spell this one.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:41PM]

don't be a disk

[MR @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:42PM]

This is neither a disc nor a disk. It doesn't have any thin, round plates in it.
Just call it SSD and put whatever prefix to further classify it if you want.

[DefPo3t @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:03PM]

ssd = solid state drive maby ; /

[James @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:03PM]

Actually, it should be a solid state drive. SDDs don't use disks.

[Tired_ @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:13PM]

And yet, the correct spelling of 'spelling' is still W-H-O C-A-R-E-S.

[The Ron @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:42PM]

What exactly is so great about SSD. The only thing I can think of is that it has no moving parts (therefore less prone to errors) Harddrives are better in all other fields though:

1) Faster write speeds
2) Longer laster
3) Cheaper
4) More storage capacity
5) The list goes on.....

[azlaxkid42 @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:46PM]

the list doesn't go on actually... also SSDs are more energy efficient.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:47PM]

lighter too, eh?

[Luke @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:04PM]

Lets take a look at that list:

1) Faster write speeds: Incorrect. Flash has faster transfer, and MUCH faster seek time.
2) Longer laster: Incorrect. (A good SLC Flash will outlast any mechanical hard drive.)
3) Cheaper: YES YES YES. This is the biggie.
4) More storage capacity: Correct in 3.5", becoming comparable in 2.5", and flash wins in 1.8".
5) The list goes on..... Actually, SSD wins in all the other incidentals. Power, noise, heat, G-Shock, etc.

[thatkidmattt @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:03PM]

HDDs are cheaper... at the moment.

It used to be said that over time the cost of an SSD would lower enough for the drive to become viable - that time has passed. At this juncture SSD prices are continuing to go down even as their size increases.

Will they ever overtake their mechanical brethren? Probably not for some time... but saying that you don't know what is so special about them is terribly shortsighted. The current implementations of SSDs in things such as smartphones, MP3 players, and ultramobile computers can only be improved upon... making the machines lighter while able to have a greater capacity and ,from the aesthetic point of view, be all around sleeker.

Furthermore, the SSD even allows the HDD to still have it's place... it's called a hybrid drive, and if you can't see what is so great about SSDs, then you should open your eyes.

[iofthestorm @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:11PM]

Uh, you're incorrect about faster write speeds on SSD (Luke). HDDs still have faster write speeds, unless you go into the ridiculously priced several grand SSDs. Although I think HDDs aren't increasing in speeds anywhere near as fast as SSDs, but then an SSD like this one is much slower than a cheap hard drive.

[Luke Thiesen @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:02PM]

What? SSD's will beat the snot out of most 3.5" hard drives, and even squeak out a win over the Veloci Raptor (a 3.5" hard drive by most standards.)

Compared to the 2.5" market, which is what this article is about, SSD's leave them in the dust, in read and write speed. And that isn't even taking into account real world performance such as seek time.

Take a look at this article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-memoright,1926.html

Yes, they're more expensive, but we already conceded that. I thought we were talking about speed, which isn't measured by dollar signs as far as I know.

[thatkidmattt @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:06PM]

Also, I'm sorry... HDDs have faster write/read times? You crazy?

[Genjinaro @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:21PM]

Ditto, my SSD runs circles around what HDDs I had...
Hell my Class 6 SDHC is faster in read/write...

[Findeh @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:13PM]

Hopefully that p stands for cheap.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:59PM]

Sadly, i'm pretty sure it refers to PATA, Parallel ATA.

Though these should be cheaper due to it being PATA, and they did say it's meant for low-cost PC sector.

[Jhongerkong @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:31AM]

I bet the drive will be real pSSD when it breaks