Hitachi-LG teases HyDrive: an optical reader with loads of NAND (video)

Want a speedy, drop-proof SSD in your laptop? In all but the largest of 'em, you've got just two choices: pay through the nose for a reasonable amount of storage, or settle for a cheaper boot drive at the expense of capacity. Hitachi-LG Data Storage is pulling a Monty Hall by opening door number three -- an optical drive with a built-in 32GB or 64GB SSD. Dubbed the HyDrive and currently being showcased at mysterydrive.net, the product is presently being labeled a "concept," but a set of impressive demo videos already show the ODD / SSD combo booting, multitasking and error-correcting Keanu Reeves like a trained pro. We'll have more details at Computex, at which point we'll let you know whether to be hesitantly expectant or gravely disappointed. Personally, hybrid HDDs be damned -- we want one of these suckers yesterday. Videos after the break.

[lukechoi Posted May 29th 2010 8:36PM]

We don't have plan to sell it to retail yet. will focus on OEM sales to PC makers this year~~

There is no motherboard modificaiotn and yes, it supports TRIM and SATA 2, 3 from n20111

Will release full spec. and plan on May 31st...

[Greg7388 Posted May 30th 2010 3:40PM]

@lukechoi Well that bites. There's no way I'd trade in my MacBook Pro for a sub par computer with a great optical drive. I'd rather a great computer with a great disc drive.
Sell it retail, you'll make a fortune.

[NamelessFragger Posted May 31st 2010 3:08AM]

Now this is interesting...

I'd get one, if not for the fact that my notebook still uses the old IDE/PATA interface for its modular bay optical drive. (This wouldn't be so odd if not for the fact that the hard drive is SATA.)