Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Researchers develop silicon ReRAM chip, send warning shot to Flash memory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/researchers-develop-silicon-reram-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/researchers-develop-silicon-reram-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/researchers-develop-silicon-reram-chip/#comments Researchers develop silicon ReRAM chip, send warning shot to Flash memory

Does the word ReRAM ring a bell? No? Well, the key point is that it's much faster than NAND memory, and it's making its way into chips from Elpida, Sharp and Panasonic. Further proof that ReRAM is on the up and up? Researchers at University College London have used this technology to make a chip that operates at 100 times the speed of standard Flash memory. The device is composed completely of silicon oxide, which improves the chip's resistance, and it doesn't require a vacuum to work (which makes it cheaper to produce). But this new chip is more than just a faster alternative to Flash; its ability to move between different states of conductivity means it can be configured as a memristor, or a device that handles both data-processing and storage tasks. In the long term, researchers hope this technology can pave the way for silicon oxide CPUs -- and UCL is already using this design to help develop transparent memory chips for mobile devices. Need to know more? Feast your heart on the gritty details via the link below.

Researchers develop silicon ReRAM chip, send warning shot to Flash memory originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipchipsflash memoryFlash memory chipFlashMemoryFlashMemoryChipmemorymemristormemristorsNANDNAND flash memoryNandFlashMemoryReRamresearchresearchersSun, 20 May 2012 06:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/#comments Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too

Have you taken a moment today to stop and thank NAND Flash for existing? No? Well, Toshiba would like to say tsk, tsk. Today the company launched a full-scale campaign to promote this storage technology -- and by full-scale we mean a dedicated "25 Years of NAND Flash" website, a "NAND Flash Deprivation Experiment" video series, new Facebook and Twitter accounts and a Toshiba Excite 10 giveaway. We must have missed the memo that NAND was dangerously underappreciated, because we're still trying to figure out why it needs a marketing campaign of its own. Toshiba has a slew of laptop refreshes and the Excite 7.7 and 13 tablets just around the corner -- and that interim period between announcement and launch date can be killer -- but somehow talking up NAND Flash doesn't seem the right course of action. Take a look at the campaign's first video below the break and decide for yourself.

Continue reading Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too

Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25 Years of NAND Flash25YearsOfNandFlashadadsadvertisingcampaigncampaignsflashflash storageFlashStoragemarketingmarketing campaignMarketingCampaignNANDNAND flashNAND flash memoryNandFlashNandFlashMemorystoragetoshibatoshiba exciteToshiba Excite 10Toshiba NANDToshibaExciteToshibaExcite10ToshibaNandvideoWed, 02 May 2012 02:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/fusion-io-sdk/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/fusion-io-sdk/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/fusion-io-sdk/#comments Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm

Thought your SATA SSD chugged along real nice? Think again. Fusion-io has just released an SDK that will allow developers to bypass all the speed draining bottlenecks that rob NAND memory of its true potential (i.e. the kernel block I/O layer,) and tap directly into the memory itself. In fact, Fusion-io is so confident of its products abilities, it prefers to call them ioMemory Application Accelerators, rather than SSDs. The SDK allows developers native access to the ioMemory, meaning applications can benefit from the kind of hardware integration you might get from a proprietary platform. The principle has already been demonstrated earlier this year, when Fusion-io delivered one billion IOPS using this native access. The libraries and APIs are available now to registered members of its developer program, hit the more coverage link to sign up.

Continue reading Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm

Fusion-io SDK gives developers native memory access, keys to the NAND realm originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerdeveloper programDeveloperProgramflashflash memoryFlashMemoryfusion-iointerfaceIOioMemoryIOPSNANDnativenative applicationsNativeApplicationssdksolid state driveSolidStateDriveSSDstorageFri, 20 Apr 2012 02:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/intel-330-series-ssds-official-prices-start-at-89/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/intel-330-series-ssds-official-prices-start-at-89/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/intel-330-series-ssds-official-prices-start-at-89/#comments Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89

Been holding off on stuffing solid state storage into your existing machine because of high prices or reliability issues? Bargain hunters, your SSD may have just arrived in the form of Intel's 330 Series SSDs. We got the low down on them weeks ago, but in case you forgot, Intels new 25nm NAND entry utilizes a SATA 6 Gb/s connection to deliver up to 500 MB/s sequential reads and 450 MB/s writes. Such speeds aren't spectacular compared to other SSDs, but combine them with Chipzilla's reputation for crafting quality drives, low prices -- $89 for 60GB, $149 for 120GB, and $234 for 180GB -- and a three year warranty, and the 330 has some serious curb appeal. Want one? All three sizes available now online or at you local retailer (assuming it's still there, of course).

Continue reading Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89

Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25nm330330 series330Seriesbargaincheapinexpensiveintelintel series 330 ssdIntelSeries330Ssdnandsolid state drivesolid state storageSolidStateDriveSolidStateStoragessdssdsMon, 16 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel SSD 520 review roundup: Intel reliability, SandForce speeds starting at $149]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/intel-ssd-520-review-roundup-intel-reliability-sandforce-speed/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/intel-ssd-520-review-roundup-intel-reliability-sandforce-speed/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/intel-ssd-520-review-roundup-intel-reliability-sandforce-speed/#comments There's plenty of SSD options out there, but Intel's NAND drives are among the most well thought of, simply because they're so reliable. But, with the top speed of competing SSDs spiraling higher, Intel's rock-solid reputation may not be enough for some enthusiasts. Enter the SSD 520, with a performance SandForce SF-2281 controller and custom firmware (codenamed Cherryville) on board to ensure the 520 meets Chipzilla's demanding standards for stability. It's the result of a year and a half long collaboration between Intel and SandForce, and is available in both 7mm and 9.5mm thin form factors to fit any machine -- Ultrabook or otherwise. Aside from the SandForce chip, the 520 packs Intel's finest 25nm NAND Flash, a SATA 6GB/s connection and its 550MB/s reads and 520MB/s writes can be had for $149 in 60GB garb and prices escalate up to a grand for 480GB. Naturally, as this is Intel's effort to snatch back the performance market, a raft of reviews have been written about the SSD 520.

So, how does the 520 stack up? Well, Intel's so confident in the 520 that it's backed the SSD with a five-year warranty. Though its performance doesn't drastically outpace its competition, Storage Review found the drive to be on par with the current speed king, OCZ's Vertex 3 in its benchmarks -- and also found performance and stability to be quite good in both enterprise use and in RAID arrays. Meanwhile, AnandTech found that the 520's peak random write speeds quite similar to its sequential reads during testing, which shows how well the optimized firmware works with the NAND. Hot Hardware thought the 520 to be comparable to other SandForce-equipped SSDs, but in terms of power consumption, Tom's Hardware found Intel's latest to be a power hog. Generally, all the reviewers were in agreement: the 520 is a speedy SSD, but you pay a hefty premium for Intel's reputation for churning out reliable drives. Only time will tell if the 520 can deliver the reliability we want, but there's plenty of performance info to be had in the reviews listed below.

Intel SSD 520 review roundup: Intel reliability, SandForce speeds starting at $149 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25nmcherryvilleintelintel ssdintel ssd 520IntelSsdIntelSsd520nandnand flashNandFlashreviewreview roundupReviewRoundupreviewssandforcesandforce sf 2281sandforce sf-2281SandforceSf-2281SandforceSf2281sf 2281sf-2281Sf2281ssdssd 520Ssd520Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[US government rules three Barth patents invalid, sends Rambus scrambling]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/us-government-rambus-barth-patents-invalid-ruling/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/us-government-rambus-barth-patents-invalid-ruling/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/us-government-rambus-barth-patents-invalid-ruling/#comments Suing's easy. It's the "winning" that trips folks up. Such is the case with Rambus, who has been relying oh-so-heavily on the so-called trio of Barth patents to actively pursue just about every technology company on the planet. For those unaware, Rambus has christened itself as a "technology licensing company," but with the last of three patents used to win infringement suits against NVIDIA and HP being declared invalid, it's probably scrambling for new tactics. According to a Reuters report, an appeals board at the US Patent and Trademark Office declared the patent invalid a few days back, with the previous two being knocked back in September. A couple of months back, Rambus' stock lost 60 percent of its value after a court decision led to the loss of a $4 billion antitrust lawsuit against Micron and Hynix, and we're guessing things won't be any happier when the markets open back up on Monday. The company's next move? "We're evaluating our options," said spokeswoman Linda Ashmore.

US government rules three Barth patents invalid, sends Rambus scrambling originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barth patentsBarthPatentsdramgovernmenthpinfringementinvalidmemorynandnvidiapatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementpatentsramrambusstorageususaMon, 30 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Mushkin debuts three new SSDs at CES]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/mushkin-debuts-three-new-ssds-at-ces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/mushkin-debuts-three-new-ssds-at-ces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/mushkin-debuts-three-new-ssds-at-ces/#comments We love us some speedy NAND Flash here at Engadget, and Mushkin's just unveiled a trio of SSDs full of the stuff packing Sandforce SF-2281 controllers. The Chronos Go offers 560MB/s sequential writes and 525MB/s reads in drives up to 480GB in size. The Atlas mSATA SSD does sequential writes at 535MB/s, maxes out at 240GB, and will be available to be dropped into the Ultrabook of your choosing. Both the Chronos Go and Atlas are scheduled for a Q1 release. Lastly, the Scorpion PCIe modular SSD lets you chain up to four SSDs in a RAID array to get sequential writes up to 1275MB/s and reads up to 1500MB/s when it drops sometime in the first half of this year.

[Image Credit: DailyTech]

Mushkin debuts three new SSDs at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlascesces 2012Ces2012chronos goChronosGomushkinnandraidsandforcesandforce sf-2281SandforceSf-2281scorpionssdWed, 11 Jan 2012 22:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Fusion-io breaks one billion IOPS barrier, pauses to congratulate itself]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/fusion-io-one-billion-iops-iodrive-duo-flash-storage-record/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/fusion-io-one-billion-iops-iodrive-duo-flash-storage-record/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/fusion-io-one-billion-iops-iodrive-duo-flash-storage-record/#comments Let's get a little perspective, shall we? Corsair's Force Series 3 SSD -- a wholly awesome product in its own right -- is capable of hitting around 85,000 IOPS. On a good day. Fusion-io has been pushing the NAND storage envelope for years now, but even its recently-unveiled ioDrives deliver between 700,000 and 900,000 IOPS. Today, however, the company's pausing to pat itself squarely on the back -- and rightfully so. It managed to achieve one billion input and output operations per second in a technology demonstration conducted at DEMO Enterprise: An Evening of Innovation.

We're told that it was during a preview of the company's latency reducing Auto Commit Memory (ACM) extension, part of the Fusion ioMemory subsystem, and that it's "rethinking how to provide powerful modern CPUs with the data they need through sophisticated software architectures." The demo utilized eight HP ProLiant DL370 servers, each equipped with eight ioDrive2 Duos, to break the one billion IOP barrier when transferring 64 byte data packets. 'Course, that'd probably cost you a few dozen years of work if you were to buy such a setup yourself, but hey -- at least someone's working to eliminate the mechanical drive sooner rather than later, right?

Continue reading Fusion-io breaks one billion IOPS barrier, pauses to congratulate itself

Fusion-io breaks one billion IOPS barrier, pauses to congratulate itself originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto Commit MemoryAutoCommitMemoryflashflash storageFlashStorageFusion-ioiodriveiodrive duoiodrive duo2IodriveDuoIodriveDuo2iopsnandperformancerecordstorageworld recordWorldRecordFri, 06 Jan 2012 20:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple buys flash storage maker Anobit for $500 million, aims to establish R&D lab in Israel]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/apple-buys-flash-storage-maker-anobit-for-500-million-aims-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/apple-buys-flash-storage-maker-anobit-for-500-million-aims-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/apple-buys-flash-storage-maker-anobit-for-500-million-aims-to/#comments
The rumor mill has been churning on this one for the last few days, but it's now as official as it's ever apt to get: Apple has decided to splash out the $500 million to buy Israeli flash-chip outfit Anobit. The fabless designer of MLC NAND flash chips should be a good fit, given Cupertino's reliance on solid state storage technology for its iPad, iPod, iPhone and Macbook Air lines. With $84 billion in the bank, the purchase has cost the company just over half a percent of its war chest, and we're guessing it'll just barely feel the pinch when said funds are transferred over. The story was originally reported in the Calcalist financial daily newspaper, with the verified Twitter account of the Prime Minister of Israel chiming in with the following:
"Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc. on your [first] acquisition here. I'm certain that you'll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge."
Moreover, Apple's expected to open up a research and development center in the nation, marking its first outside of the USA. If history has anything to say about it, we highly doubt Apple will ever open its mouth one way or the other on this, but it'll be interesting to see what related nuggets are uncovered in the company's next quarterly filing with the SEC.

Apple buys flash storage maker Anobit for $500 million, aims to establish R&D lab in Israel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionanobitapplebusinessflashflash memoryflash storageFlashMemoryFlashStorageindustryisraelmemorynandstorageTue, 20 Dec 2011 20:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech mainstays finally come together on something: littering more HD content with more DRM]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/tech-mainstays-finally-come-together-on-something-littering-mor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/tech-mainstays-finally-come-together-on-something-littering-mor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/tech-mainstays-finally-come-together-on-something-littering-mor/#comments Who says the big boys can't be friends? While Samsung, SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic would probably disagree with each other on just about everything, there are still three magical letters that can bring even the biggest rivals together: DRM. While the consortium is doing everything it can to avoid the term, there's no hiding the truth -- the temporarily-named 'Next Generation Secure Memory Initiative' is designed to protect HD content by using "unique ID (identification) technology for flash memory and robust copy protection based on public key infrastructure." Just when we thought Louis C.K. had proven that slapping DRM around something wasn't the best approach, here we go taking a few monumental steps in the wrong direction.

In essence, it sounds as if they're crafting a way to distribute Blu-ray-quality material on SD cards and embedded memory (sound familiar?), and they're also hoping that this will "enable various HD content applications such as HD network download, broadcast content to-go and HD Digital Copy / Managed Copy from Blu-ray Disc." Notably, we're told that Android-based smartphones, tablets, TVs and Blu-ray products in particular can look forward to taking advantage -- in other words, Apple's going to keep doing what Apple does. If all goes well, they'll start licensing the new secure memory technology early next year, and if we had to guess, we'd say the adoption trajectory perfectly matches that of slotRadio. Good luck, folks -- you're going to need it.

Continue reading Tech mainstays finally come together on something: littering more HD content with more DRM

Tech mainstays finally come together on something: littering more HD content with more DRM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbdblu-rayblu-ray discBlu-rayDiscbusinesscontent protectionContentProtectionDRMflashhdpostcrossindustrylicensingmemory cardMemoryCardnandNext Generation Secure Memory InitiativeNextGenerationSecureMemoryInitiativepanasonicpartnershipsamsungsandisksdsd cardsd cardsSdCardSdCardssecuresecure digitalSecureDigitalsecuritysonystoragetoshibaMon, 19 Dec 2011 11:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel, Micron unveil first 128-gigabit flash chip, provide double the data density]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/intel-micron-unveil-first-128-gigabit-flash-chip-provide-doubl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/intel-micron-unveil-first-128-gigabit-flash-chip-provide-doubl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/intel-micron-unveil-first-128-gigabit-flash-chip-provide-doubl/#comments Realign the data and the previous 32- and 64-gigabit roadblocks to flash storage disappear. Today, Intel and Micron announced the first 128-gigabit NAND flash chip. The chip, which was created through the companies' joint IM Flash Technologies venture, is smaller than a fingertip, created through a 20 nanometer manufacturing process and is capable of 333 megatransfers per second with the option of stacking as many as eight chips on top of each other. What makes the new NAND unique is its planar structure that allows individual memory cells to scale much smaller than before. When combined with a Hi-K/metal gate combo to keep the power leaks to a minimum, presto, you've got flash memory denser than your mother-in-law's fruitcake. Mass production of the 128Gb chips isn't due until the first half of 2012, but you can get a more in-depth intro to the future of flash right now in the PR below.

Continue reading Intel, Micron unveil first 128-gigabit flash chip, provide double the data density

Intel, Micron unveil first 128-gigabit flash chip, provide double the data density originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>128 gigabit128 gigabit memory128Gigabit128GigabitMemory20nmfingertipflashflash memoryFlashMemoryHi-KIM Flash TechnologiesImFlashTechnologiesIntelmegatransfermegatransfersmemorymetal gateMetalGateMicronNANDnand flashNandFlashsmart phoneSmartPhonesmartphonesstackingtablettabletsWed, 07 Dec 2011 05:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's mSATA PM830 is eight grams of pure SSD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/samsungs-msata-pm830-is-eight-grams-of-pure-ssd/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/samsungs-msata-pm830-is-eight-grams-of-pure-ssd/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/samsungs-msata-pm830-is-eight-grams-of-pure-ssd/#comments
The newest member of Samsung's 6Gb/s PM830 family of SSDs is designed to sit inside the Ultrabooks of 2012, which means it's had go through some slimming down. The mSATA drive uses 20 nanometer NAND for face-melting speed, but is crammed into a 50.95 x 30 x 3.8mm package, weighing only eight grams. The drive will comfortably read 500MB/s and write 260MB/s on a clear day, six times faster than a comparable HDD. It'll allow Windows to boot in under ten seconds and transfer "five DVD files" (roughly 45GB) in around a minute. The drives also come with 256-bit AES for those moments when your Ultrabook gets stolen, or more likely, floats away in the wind. 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants will roll out to OEMs shortly but we expect a consumer version to be announced shortly for everyone with some courage and a screwdriver.

Continue reading Samsung's mSATA PM830 is eight grams of pure SSD

Samsung's mSATA PM830 is eight grams of pure SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>256-bit aes encryption256-bitAesEncryption265-bit AES265-bitAesmSATANANDSamsungSamsung SSDSamsung SSD 830Samsung SSD PM830Samsung SSDsSamsungSsdSamsungSsd830SamsungSsdPm830SamsungSsdsSpeedSSDSSD 830SSD PM830Ssd830SsdPm830SSDsThin and LightThinAndLightUltrabookUltrabooksThu, 01 Dec 2011 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[OCZ expects to ship cheap TLC solid state drives in early 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/ocz-expects-to-ship-cheap-tlc-solid-state-drives-in-early-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/ocz-expects-to-ship-cheap-tlc-solid-state-drives-in-early-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/ocz-expects-to-ship-cheap-tlc-solid-state-drives-in-early-2012/#comments It's about time triple-level-cell NAND came to life in consumer products and it looks like OCZ is blazing that trail. The company expects to release its first TLC drive early next year, with a vaunted 30 percent price reduction compared to current MLC drives, which are themselves much cheaper than SLC. The downside is shorter life expectancy, which will be as low as four years, but more durable forms of the technology are due to arrive later in 2012.

OCZ expects to ship cheap TLC solid state drives in early 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheapcheaperflashminipostMLCNANDSLCsolid statesolid state driveSolidStateSolidStateDriveSSDthree-bit-per-cellTLCtriple level celltriple-level-cellTripleLevelCellFri, 04 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Primed: SSDs and you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/engadget-primed-ssds-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/engadget-primed-ssds-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/engadget-primed-ssds-and-you/#commentsPrimed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. You can follow the series here. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com.

If you're a storage aficionado -- and who here isn't? -- you've probably heard a lot about SSDs, those friendly solid-state disks promising dramatically improved performance over their magnetically inclined brethren. No doubt you've heard about the advantages, thanks to NAND storage that makes them silent, shock resistant, energy efficient and lightning quick. Yet you've also heard the horror stories: drive slowdowns, controller failures and manufacturer recalls. And adding to all those anxiety-producing headlines, there's the price premium. While most magnetic drives average around a nickel or dime per gigabyte, even consumer-grade SSDs still run $1-2 per gigabyte, often for drastically smaller-capacity drives.

Three years ago, Intel launched its X25-M and X18-M: the "M" stood for "mainstream," and the pair of drives were designed to reintroduce solid-state storage to a cost-conscious consumer market. (Perhaps more importantly, they were also meant to solidify Intel's standing in the nascent SSD realm, up to that point a chaotic, Wild West-style domain. But we'll get to that.) For most users magnetic drives still remain king, with solid states appealing primarily to a niche of enterprise IT professionals and modding enthusiasts. How did that happen -- and should it be different? After the break we'll look at how and why SSDs haven't (yet) conquered the storage world, and examine whether they're poised to do just that.

Continue reading Engadget Primed: SSDs and you

Engadget Primed: SSDs and you originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CompaqConnor PeripheralsConnorPeripheralsduraclassenergy efficientEnergyEfficientengadget primedEngadgetPrimedHDDHPIBMintelMaxtormicronMIPSmlcnandprimedQuantumRAMRAMACRPMRPMsSandForceScorpioseagateSeagate TechnologySeagateTechnologyslcsolid state driveSolidStateDriveSPESSDssd controllerSsdControllerSsdDriveSSDsstorageVelociRaptorvideoWestern DigitalWesternDigitalMon, 31 Oct 2011 16:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists build logic gates out of gut bacteria, then hopefully wash their hands]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/scientists-build-logic-gates-out-of-gut-bacteria-then-hopefully/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/scientists-build-logic-gates-out-of-gut-bacteria-then-hopefully/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/scientists-build-logic-gates-out-of-gut-bacteria-then-hopefully/#comments Ever thought about upgrading your PC by breeding more cores? Or planting a few GBs of extra storage out in the yard? Us neither, until we heard that scientists at Imperial College in London have succeeded in building "some of the basic components of digital devices" out of genetically modified E.Coli. We've seen these germs exploited in a similar way before, but Imperial's researchers claim they're the first to make bacterial logic gates that can be fitted together to form more complex gates and potentially whole biological processors. Aside from our strange upgrade fantasies, such processors could one day be implanted into living bodies -- to weed out cancer cells, clean arteries and deliver medication exactly where it's needed. So much for Activia.

Scientists build logic gates out of gut bacteria, then hopefully wash their hands originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANDbacteriabiologicalbiological computingBiologicalComputingbiologycomputingE.ColigermgermsgutImperial collegeImperialCollegelogiclogic gatesLogicGatesNANDNOTorganicorganic computingorganic processorOrganicComputingOrganicProcessorprocessorstomachMon, 24 Oct 2011 01:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Open your IOPS to ioDrive's next-gen SSDs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/open-your-iops-to-iodrives-next-gen-ssds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/open-your-iops-to-iodrives-next-gen-ssds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/open-your-iops-to-iodrives-next-gen-ssds/#comments We're ripe for an ioRefresh and thankfully here it is: the ioDrive2 and ioDrive2 Duo will be out from November, bringing hugely faster speeds at a much lower dollar-per-gig compared to their predecessors. The single-level cell version of the next-gen Duo (depicted above) will deliver 700,000 read IOPS, 900,000 write IOPS and a 3GB/s bandwidth that could possibly surpass OCZ's Z-Drive R4. Prices start at $6,000 and top out at something too ridiculous to mention for a maximum 2.4TB of storage. But you're an enterprise, remember, so at least try to haggle before you settle for a cheaper alternative. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Open your IOPS to ioDrive's next-gen SSDs

Open your IOPS to ioDrive's next-gen SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.4TB3gbsenterpriseflashiodriveiodrive duoiodrive2iodrive2 duoIodrive2DuoIodriveDuoiopsmlcnandslcSSDTue, 04 Oct 2011 11:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Angelbird's Wings PCIe-based SSD preview and benchmarks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/angelbirds-wings-pcie-based-ssd-preview-and-benchmarks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/angelbirds-wings-pcie-based-ssd-preview-and-benchmarks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/angelbirds-wings-pcie-based-ssd-preview-and-benchmarks/#comments Storage enthusiasts (yeah, there is such a thing -- what of it?) would probably tell you that PCIe-based SSDs are a dime a dozen these days. But in all seriousness, the prices we're seeing are proof that a few more competitors wouldn't hurt. A few weeks back, Austria's own Angelbird started to ship a solution that we first heard about during 2010, and we were fortunate enough to pop a Wings PCIe SSD RAID card into our Mac Pro for testing. For years, we've been booting this up and running every single application off of its stock HDD -- a 640GB Hitachi HDE721064SLA360 (7200RPM) -- as we surmise many of you desktop owners might be. Anxious to see if these are the Wings your existing tower needs to soar? Head on past the break for our impressions.

Gallery: Angelbird's Wings PCIe-based SSD

Continue reading Angelbird's Wings PCIe-based SSD preview and benchmarks

Angelbird's Wings PCIe-based SSD preview and benchmarks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelbirdangelbird wingsAngelbirdWingsbenchmarkbenchmarkingbenchmarkscresteuropehard driveHardDrivehddimpressionsnandpci epci e ssdpci expresspci express ssdpci-epci-e ssdPci-eSsdPciEPciESsdPciExpressPciExpressSsdpreviewRAIDsolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdstoragewingsFri, 23 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/sandforce-demos-24nm-flash-from-toshiba-cheaper-ssds-on-the-hor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/sandforce-demos-24nm-flash-from-toshiba-cheaper-ssds-on-the-hor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/sandforce-demos-24nm-flash-from-toshiba-cheaper-ssds-on-the-hor/#comments Toshiba and SandForce SandForce, the company behind the companies that make some of the best SSDs on the market, is at it again -- this time demoing 24nm NAND flash from Toshiba at the Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, CA. An SF-2000 processor was matched with the new shrunk-down storage, a 6Gb/sec SATA connection, and jammed inside a 2.5-inch enclosure to deliver 500MB/sec read and write speeds. It's not the fastest we've seen, but the big news here isn't the data rates -- it's the potential for cheaper SSDs. The smaller manufacturing process means Toshiba will be able to squeeze more storage out of the same wafer of silicon and, hopefully, shrink those still somewhat bloated prices. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon

SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24nm24nm nand flash24nmNandFlashflashflash memoryflash memory summitFlashMemoryFlashMemorySummitmemorynandnand flashNandFlashsandforcesandforce sf-2000SandforceSf-2000sf-2000solid state driveSolidStateDrivessdstoragetoshibaWed, 10 Aug 2011 06:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Delkin's CF cards handle all weathers, so quit yo' jibber jabber]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/delkins-cf-cards-handle-all-weathers-so-quit-yo-jibber-jabber/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/delkins-cf-cards-handle-all-weathers-so-quit-yo-jibber-jabber/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/delkins-cf-cards-handle-all-weathers-so-quit-yo-jibber-jabber/#comments Delkin sneers at wimps who sit around all day debating whether it's worse to be too hot or too cold. Its new 32GB and 64GB rugged CompactFlash cards relish both extremes, with a claimed operating temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees Celsius. They achieve this by eschewing the cheaper multi-level cell design of namby-pamby mainstream cards in favor of single-level cells that last for up to two million cycles and max out at 105MB/s reads and 95MB/s writes. We wouldn't stick anything else in our SnoMote. Full details in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Delkin's CF cards handle all weathers, so quit yo' jibber jabber

Delkin's CF cards handle all weathers, so quit yo' jibber jabber originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcticclimatecoldCompactFlashdelkinextremeflashflash memoryFlashMemoryheathotmemoryNANDruggedtemperaturetoughTue, 09 Aug 2011 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[OCZ, Corsair, Patriot and Crucial butt heads in SATA III SSD roundup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/14/ocz-corsair-patriot-and-crucial-butt-heads-in-sata-iii-ssd-rou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/14/ocz-corsair-patriot-and-crucial-butt-heads-in-sata-iii-ssd-rou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/14/ocz-corsair-patriot-and-crucial-butt-heads-in-sata-iii-ssd-rou/#comments Another season, another SSD roundup. This go 'round, its a six-pack of SATA III units -- the speediest of the speedy -- all angling for your hard-earned greenbacks. The benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware have assembled quite the guide for those currently in the market, hosting up a variety of top-tier drives from the likes of OCZ Technology, Patriot, Crucial and Corsair. We'll leave the nitty-gritty for you to discover, but those hungry for spoilers will be elated to know that the SandForce-built OCZ Vertex 3 Max IOPS, Corsair Force GT and Patriot Wildfire proved to be the best performers in terms of transfer rates. That said, the whole lot managed to impress, and while the average user isn't apt to feel the real-world differences among them, there's a safe bet you aren't in that "average" crowd. Cliff's Notes? The Crucial M4 was deemed superior in terms of value, while the Vertex 3 Max IOPS and Wildfire just about tied for sheer speed.

OCZ, Corsair, Patriot and Crucial butt heads in SATA III SSD roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CorsairCrucialflashnandoczocz technologyOczTechnologyPatriotreview roundupReviewRounduproundupsata 6gbpssata iiiSata6gbpsSataIiisolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdstorageThu, 14 Jul 2011 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Talent USB 3.0 Express RC8 looks like a thumb drive, acts like an SSD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/super-talent-usb-3-0-express-rc8-looks-like-a-thumb-drive-acts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/super-talent-usb-3-0-express-rc8-looks-like-a-thumb-drive-acts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/super-talent-usb-3-0-express-rc8-looks-like-a-thumb-drive-acts/#comments It seems too much to hope for, but Super Talent insists it has the benchmarks to prove it: a USB 3.0 stick that achieves 270MB/s reads and 240MB/s writes under optimal conditions. Unlike your average joe flash drive, the RC8 boasts a fully-fledged (albeit previous-generation) SandForce SSD controller that permits the simultaneous use of eight channels of NAND memory. In other words, this zippy little thing actually is an SSD, enclosed in an aluminum case that measures 1-inch wide, 4-inches long and 0.3-inches thick. No definitive word on pricing yet, but it was reported at Computex that a 50GB variant would go for around $110, while 25GB and 100GB capacities will also be available. Now, could someone please hurry up and build a Thunderbolt version?

Super Talent USB 3.0 Express RC8 looks like a thumb drive, acts like an SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compactexpressfastflashflash driveFlashDrivememoryNANDrc8smallspeedssdsuper talentsuper talent rc8SuperTalentSuperTalentRc8thumb driveThumbDriveusbusb 3.0usb 3.0 express rc8Usb3.0Usb3.0ExpressRc8Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Micron RealSSD P320h can read 3GBps, write 2GBps, impress millions of geeks per second]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/micron-realssd-p320h-can-read-3gbps-write-2gbps-impress-millio/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/micron-realssd-p320h-can-read-3gbps-write-2gbps-impress-millio/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/micron-realssd-p320h-can-read-3gbps-write-2gbps-impress-millio/#comments Speed may be a relative thing, but whatever you choose to compare Micron's new RealSSD P320h series to, you'll probably find them pretty competitive. Coming in 350GB and 700GB capacities, these PCI Express solid state drives can process data at a rate of 3GB per second and write it at a no less impressive 2GBps. If you're more interested in input / output operations per second, the P320h clocks in at 750,000 IOPS when running Linux or 650,000 with Windows Server as the OS. You don't need us to tell you that both numbers represent screaming-fast performance. Such mighty feats are achieved with the use of 34nm SLC NAND flash memory and Micron's own controller chip. Samples of the P320h are trickling out now and mass production is coming in the third quarter of 2011, and while no pricing info has been offered yet, it's safe to say you'll be needing your company CFO's blessing before making any P320h purchases. Video and full PR after the break.

Continue reading Micron RealSSD P320h can read 3GBps, write 2GBps, impress millions of geeks per second

Micron RealSSD P320h can read 3GBps, write 2GBps, impress millions of geeks per second originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>34nmfastflashflash storageFlashStoragemicronnandpcipci expresspci-expresspciePciExpressrealssdslcslc nandSlcNandsolid statesolid state drivesolid state storageSolidStateSolidStateDriveSolidStateStoragespeedssdstoragevideoFri, 03 Jun 2011 03:09:00 EST<![CDATA[SanDisk outs faster U100 and i100 SSDs for ultra-portables and tablets, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/sandisk-outs-faster-u100-and-i100-ssds-for-ultra-portables-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/sandisk-outs-faster-u100-and-i100-ssds-for-ultra-portables-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/sandisk-outs-faster-u100-and-i100-ssds-for-ultra-portables-and-t/#comments SanDisk has been pumping out press releases all day thanks to Computex-mania, so we shuffled past its stall to see what all the fuss is about. The biggest news is the U100 range of tiny SSDs for ultraportables, which crank data in and out at twice the speed of SanDisk's previous generation P4 drives. We're talking 450MB/s reads and 340MB/s writes thanks to the latest SATA III interface, plus a max capacity of 256GB -- specs which have already enticed ASUS to use the U100 in its lightweight UX-series notebooks. Mass production is expected in Q3 of this year. Specs table and triple-shot of PR coming up after the break, plus a gallery showing size comparisons of the U100 SSD in its glorious mSATA and Mini mSATA varieties, stacked up against some common objects like a 2.5-inch SSD drive, an HP Veer, and a vaguely goth bracelet.

Meanwhile, SanDisk hasn't forgotten about our desperate need for faster tablets. The company has doubled the speed of its existing iNAND embedded flash modules, and is also releasing a brand new SATA III drive, the i100, specifically for this form factor. The i100 maxes out at 128GB and achieves a significantly slower write speed (160MB/s) than the U100, but it has same impressive read speed (450MB/s) -- which should mean nippier tablets in the not-too-distant future.

Gallery: SanDisk U100 mSATA SSD hands-on

Continue reading SanDisk outs faster U100 and i100 SSDs for ultra-portables and tablets, we go hands-on

SanDisk outs faster U100 and i100 SSDs for ultra-portables and tablets, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6gbpscomputexcomputex 2011computex2011embedded flashEmbeddedFlashhands-oni100inandintegratedintegrated ssdintegrated storageIntegratedSsdIntegratedStoragemini sataMiniSatamSATAnandsandisksandisk i100sandisk u100SandiskI100SandiskU100SataIiiSataIiiSsdsolid state discsolid state disksolid state drivesolid state drivesSolidStateDiscSolidStateDiskSolidStateDriveSolidStateDrivesssdssdsu100Tue, 31 May 2011 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Buffalo's 256GB SSD comes with 6GBps SATA interface, silly price tag]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/buffalo-introduces-256gb-ssd-with-sata-6gbps-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/buffalo-introduces-256gb-ssd-with-sata-6gbps-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/buffalo-introduces-256gb-ssd-with-sata-6gbps-interface/#comments
The SSD market is about to get a little more crowded, now that Buffalo has unveiled a new, 256GB fatty. The company's SSD-N256S/MC400 has a SATA 6Gbps interface, supports multi-level cell NAND Flash memory and boasts read and write speeds of up to 405 MB/s and 223 MB/s, respectively. If you're interested in grabbing one, you'll have to shell out a cool ¥72,200 ($882). Or, you could get an even faster SSD for less money. The choice is yours.

Buffalo's 256GB SSD comes with 6GBps SATA interface, silly price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>256gb6gbpsbuffaloBuffalo SSD-N256SMC400BuffaloSsd-n256smc400JapanMC400MLCmulti-level cellMulti-levelCellN256SN256SMC400NANDNAND flashNAND flash memoryNandFlashNandFlashMemorypriceread speedReadSpeedsatasata 6gbpsSata6gbpssolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdSSD-N256SMC400write speedWriteSpeedThu, 26 May 2011 11:11:00 EST<![CDATA[TMS RamSan-70 SSD packs 2GB-per-second throughput, up to 900GB capacity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/tms-ramsan-70-ssd-packs-2gb-per-second-throughput-up-to-900gb-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/tms-ramsan-70-ssd-packs-2gb-per-second-throughput-up-to-900gb-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/tms-ramsan-70-ssd-packs-2gb-per-second-throughput-up-to-900gb-c/#comments There are SSDs and then there are SSDs -- the Texas Memory Systems (TMS) RamSan-70 is definitely the latter, packing 900GB of high-speed SLC NAND flash onto a single half-length PCIe card. Boasting an incredible 2GB-per-second sustained external throughput, this near-terabyte solid state drive is clearly overkill for most of us, considering that it's guaranteed to have a sky-high price (once details are released). Instead, the "900GB Gorilla," as it's come to be known around TMS HQ, is destined for high-end servers -- though we certainly wouldn't object to clearing out a slot in our desktop, if by some miracle we can afford this monster when it starts shipping in four to eight weeks.

Continue reading TMS RamSan-70 SSD packs 2GB-per-second throughput, up to 900GB capacity

TMS RamSan-70 SSD packs 2GB-per-second throughput, up to 900GB capacity originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enterpriseflashhard driveHardDrivenandnand flashNandFlashpciepcie ssdPcieSsdserverserver storageServerStoragesolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdssd storageSsdStoragetexas memory systemsTexasMemorySystemstmsSun, 22 May 2011 08:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's 64Gb toggle DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory with 400Mbps transfer rate hits production]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/samsungs-64gb-toggle-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-memory-with-400mbps-tra/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/samsungs-64gb-toggle-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-memory-with-400mbps-tra/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/samsungs-64gb-toggle-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-memory-with-400mbps-tra/#comments Get ready for it speed freaks, Samsung's toggle Double Data Rate 2.0 MLC NAND chips are now in production -- an industry first. The 64 gigabit flash chips manufactured using 20nm processes boast an impressive 400Mbps transfer rate. That makes these toggle DDR 2.0 chips about three times faster than toggle DDR 1.0 (a 133Mbps interface) or ten times faster than the 40Mbps SDR NAND flash in widespread use today. Look for 'em in future teardowns of tablets, SSDs, and smartphones.

Continue reading Samsung's 64Gb toggle DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory with 400Mbps transfer rate hits production

Samsung's 64Gb toggle DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory with 400Mbps transfer rate hits production originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 01:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddr 2.0ddr2.0firstflashmlcnandnand flashNandFlashsamsungtoggle ddr 2.0toggled ddr2.0ToggledDdr2.0ToggleDdr2.0Thu, 12 May 2011 01:49:00 EST<![CDATA[SanDisk and Toshiba announce world's smallest NAND flash memory chips for tinier gadgets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/sandisk-and-toshiba-announce-worlds-smallest-nand-flash-memory/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/sandisk-and-toshiba-announce-worlds-smallest-nand-flash-memory/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/sandisk-and-toshiba-announce-worlds-smallest-nand-flash-memory/#comments 20 nanometer manufacturing processes, you say? We say pshaw, be gone luddite. Sandisk and Toshiba just announced the latest product from their joint venture: a 19nm 64Gb (8GB) X2 memory chip; aka, the smallest NAND flash memory chip in the world. At least it will be when it hits production in the second half of the year. They are, however, sampling the monolithic chip this quarter in case you're interested in stacking a batch of 16 into an ultra-high density 128GB SSD. Anyone?

Continue reading SanDisk and Toshiba announce world's smallest NAND flash memory chips for tinier gadgets

SanDisk and Toshiba announce world's smallest NAND flash memory chips for tinier gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>19-nm19nm64gb8gbflashmanufacturing processManufacturingProcessmemorymlcnandprocesssandisksmallestssdtoshibax2Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Some MacBook Airs sporting faster blade SSDs, probably from Samsung]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/some-macbook-airs-sporting-faster-samsung-blade-ssds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/some-macbook-airs-sporting-faster-samsung-blade-ssds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/some-macbook-airs-sporting-faster-samsung-blade-ssds/#comments When Apple released its redesigned MacBook Air in October 2010, much was made of the switch to flash storage using a custom-built Mini PCI Express form factor SSD drive. It took a few weeks but these SSDs would ultimately be released as the commercially available Toshiba Blade X-gale SSD module, model TS128C. Now we're seeing user reports showing MacBook Airs equipped with a second, even faster SSD with a SM128C part number -- the "SM" hinting at its presumed Samsung manufacturing origins. Samsung's SSD manages up to 260MBps read and 210MBps write speeds compared to Toshiba's 210MBps read and 185MBps write performance. Of course, it's hardly unusual for Apple to multi-source components. And a recent decision to source parts from Korea's Samsung would have been a smart move to keep just-in-time supply lines fully stocked following the spate of disasters in Toshiba's home country of Japan. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any way of confirming which SSD you're about to purchase without cracking open the retail box and running the OS X System Profiler. Good luck with that.

Some MacBook Airs sporting faster blade SSDs, probably from Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebladeblade ssblade ssdblade x-galeBladeSsBladeSsdBladeX-galeflashmacbook airMacbookAirmbanandsamsungSM128CspeculationssdtoshibaTS128Cx-galeMon, 18 Apr 2011 03:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel and Micron announce new 20nm NAND Flash manufacturing process]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/intel-and-micron-announce-new-22nm-nand-flash-manufacturing-proc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/intel-and-micron-announce-new-22nm-nand-flash-manufacturing-proc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/intel-and-micron-announce-new-22nm-nand-flash-manufacturing-proc/#comments
You didn't think Intel and Micron would just rest on their laurels after starting 25nm flash production last year, did you? The two are now back with an even more impressive 20nm process, and an 8GB MLC NAND device that measures just 118mm&sup2; and allows for a 30 to 40 percent reduction in board space. Of course, those 8GB chips can also be combined for far more storage, so you can count on seeing even higher capacity phones, tablets and SSDs sometime after production kicks off in the in second half of 2011. At that point, Intel and Micron also plan to show off a 16GB device that promises to allow for 128GB of storage in a solid-state storage solution smaller than a postage stamp. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Intel and Micron announce new 20nm NAND Flash manufacturing process

Intel and Micron announce new 20nm NAND Flash manufacturing process originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20nmflashimftintelmicronnandnand flashNandFlashssdstorageThu, 14 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Seagate Pulsar XT.2 and Pulsar.2 SSDs target enterprise, reliability-obsessed consumers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/16/seagate-pulsar-xt-2-and-pulsar-2-ssds-target-enterprise-reliabi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/16/seagate-pulsar-xt-2-and-pulsar-2-ssds-target-enterprise-reliabi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/16/seagate-pulsar-xt-2-and-pulsar-2-ssds-target-enterprise-reliabi/#commentsSeagate has just taken the wraps off a slew of fresh enterprise storage drives, highlighted by a pair of new Pulsar SSDs. The MLC NAND-equipped Pulsar.2 is capable of 6Gbps speeds over SATA, while the 2.5-inch XT.2 uses SLC memory and a 6Gbps SAS connection, and both are unsurprisingly touted as being the fastest and finest guardians you can buy for your company's data. Seagate sees the use of MLC flash on the Pulsar.2 as a major advantage in lowering costs, while its data-protecting and error-correcting firmware is expected to maintain the high levels of data integrity required in this space. No price is actually given to validate Seagate's claims of a breakthrough price / performance combination, but both of its new SSDs should be available in the second quarter of this year. The XT.2 is already shipping out to OEMs, along with its 360MBps read and 300MBps write speeds. There are also new Savvio and Constellation HDDs from the company, but you'll have to read the 1,400-word essay press release after the break to learn more about them.

Continue reading Seagate Pulsar XT.2 and Pulsar.2 SSDs target enterprise, reliability-obsessed consumers

Seagate Pulsar XT.2 and Pulsar.2 SSDs target enterprise, reliability-obsessed consumers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>constellationdata integrityDataIntegrityenduranceenterpriseflashflash memoryFlashMemoryhard driveHardDrivehddlaunchmlcMLC nandMlcNandnandnand flashNandFlashpulsarpulsar xt.2pulsar.2PulsarXt.2reliabilitysata 6gbpsSata6gbpssavvioseagatesolid state drivesolid state storageSolidStateDriveSolidStateStoragessdstoragext.2Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/japanese-quake-will-likely-affect-our-supply-of-gadgets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/japanese-quake-will-likely-affect-our-supply-of-gadgets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/japanese-quake-will-likely-affect-our-supply-of-gadgets/#comments Devastating. There are no words to effectively convey the human catastrophe suffered in Japan. Engadget would like to express our sincere condolences to those readers personally affected by recent events.

As a tech publication, we're obviously focused on the impact these events will have on Japan's vast consumer electronics industry -- an industry that has responded with millions of dollars in cash, equipment and services to help with the relief effort. Thus far, Canon, Panasonic, and Sony have each pledged ¥300 million ($3.67 million) in donations. Sony is also matching employee contributions as will Mitsubishi who's donating a whopping ¥500 million ($6.1 million) in aid. On the equipment side, Sony is donating some 30,000 radios to relief efforts while Panasonic is providing 10,000 radios, 10,000 flashlights, and 500,000 batteries. NEC, Kyocera, and Epson are each donating ¥100 million in funds, computers, and telecoms and IT equipment.

While it's still too early to quantify the exact impact the earthquake, tsunami, and ongoing nuclear troubles will have on the global tech industry, the scope of the issues is becoming clearer now that the initial chaos has passed. Click through to see how everything from laptop batteries to iPads are at risk.

Continue reading Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets

Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raycanoneearthquakeflashfujifilmjapannandnatural disasterNaturalDisasternecnikonpanasonicsonsonytokyo electricTokyoElectrictoshibatsunamiMon, 14 Mar 2011 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel's SSD 510 reviewed, measures up well against Vertex 3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/intels-ssd-510-reviewed-measures-up-well-against-vertex-3/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/intels-ssd-510-reviewed-measures-up-well-against-vertex-3/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/intels-ssd-510-reviewed-measures-up-well-against-vertex-3/#comments Been wondering how that new 6Gbps SATA interface and Marvell controller have been treating Intel's latest SSDs? The answer, it turns out, is really rather nicely. Faced off with OCZ's awesomely quick Vertex 3 drive, the 250GB SSD 510 from Intel more than holds its own, occasionally flashing ahead and taking the lead. Opting for Marvell's processing chip has improved Intel's sequential performance, but has actually led to it taking a ding on random read speeds -- the latter being arguably more important on a day-to-day basis. Still, this $584 drive is one of the finest the consumer world has yet had to feast upon and should encourage high expectations from Intel's 25nm G3 storage units, which are still to come. As to having the extra Serial ATA bandwidth, we'll leave it to Anand from AnandTech to summarize: "these next-generation SSDs not only use 6Gbps SATA, they really need it."

Intel's SSD 510 reviewed, measures up well against Vertex 3 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5106gbpselmcrestflashintelintel 510intel ssd 510Intel510IntelSsd510marvellnandnand flashNandFlashperformancereviewreview roundupreviewedReviewRoundupreviewssolid statesolid state drivesolid state storageSolidStateSolidStateDriveSolidStateStoragespeedssdssd 510Ssd510storageFri, 04 Mar 2011 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Supermicro and Fusion-io team up to deliver new SuperServers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/supermicro-and-fusion-io-team-up-to-deliver-new-superservers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/supermicro-and-fusion-io-team-up-to-deliver-new-superservers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/supermicro-and-fusion-io-team-up-to-deliver-new-superservers/#comments Fusion-io's been in the flash memory game for some time, but until now it has been known primarily for screamingly fast PCI Express-mounted flash storage solutions with wallet-crushing prices. Those drives are primarily aimed at the enterprise market, so it seems logical for the company to now enter into an OEM agreement with Supermicro to make NAND Flash servers. The aptly, if not modestly, named SuperServers can perform over 2.2 million sequential I/O operations per second (IOPS) and over 1.4 million random IOPS -- for comparison, the OCZ SSDs we saw at CES are an order of magnitude slower in IOPS, and they aren't exactly sluggish. Supermicro also claims that the new servers speed up enterprise applications by ten times while using only one-tenth of the power. Impressive numbers to be sure, but we shudder to think of how much the SuperServers will cost. A second mortgage for a server's a sound financial decision, right? PR's after the break.

Continue reading Supermicro and Fusion-io team up to deliver new SuperServers

Supermicro and Fusion-io team up to deliver new SuperServers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enterprisefusion iofusion-ioFusionIoNANDNAND flashNAND flash serverNandFlashNandFlashServerserversupermicroSuperServerWed, 02 Mar 2011 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple said to be in talks with Samsung to buy $7.8 billion worth of components]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/apple-said-to-be-in-talks-with-samsung-to-buy-7-8-billion-worth/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/apple-said-to-be-in-talks-with-samsung-to-buy-7-8-billion-worth/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/apple-said-to-be-in-talks-with-samsung-to-buy-7-8-billion-worth/#comments
It's not clear if it's related to that mysterious $3.9 billion "strategic investment" or not, but it looks like Apple could be about to throw some serious cash in Samsung's direction. According to a report published in the Korea Economic Daily, Apple is expected to purchase some $7.8 billion worth of components from Samsung this year, including displays, applications processors, and NAND flash chips -- all intended for use in iPhones and iPads. As the paper notes, Apple would become Samsung's single biggest customer if the deal goes through, although the two obviously aren't strangers to massive deals -- Apple has already famously run Samsung's flash memory supplies dry a few times.

Apple said to be in talks with Samsung to buy $7.8 billion worth of components originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapplication processorapplication processorsApplicationProcessorApplicationProcessorsdealdisplaysflashflash memoryFlashMemoryipadiphonelcdlcdsnandnand flashnand flash memoryNandFlashNandFlashMemorysamsungMon, 14 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC HD2 gets a stable stock Android build for internal storage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-hd2-gets-a-stable-stock-android-build-for-internal-storage/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-hd2-gets-a-stable-stock-android-build-for-internal-storage/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/htc-hd2-gets-a-stable-stock-android-build-for-internal-storage/#comments Running Android on HTC's venerable HD2 is old hat -- but historically, you've had to run it off microSD storage, which isn't an optimal situation for an operating system you might hope to use as your primary. Now we've finally got what appears to be the first solution allowing you to drop a nearly stock build of Android on the HD2's internal NAND memory, freeing up external storage for your usual collection of family photos, showtunes, and PowerPoint presentations left over from your WinMo 6.5 days. We've no doubt that this hack is a little dicey -- especially considering the herculean level of hacker effort that went into making it happen -- but if you've got an HD2 lying around that needs a new lease on life, it might be worth a shot.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

HTC HD2 gets a stable stock Android build for internal storage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidhackhd2htcnandnand romNandRomportThu, 30 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba outsourcing semiconductor production to rival Samsung]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/25/toshiba-outsourcing-semiconductor-production-to-rival-samsung/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/25/toshiba-outsourcing-semiconductor-production-to-rival-samsung/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/25/toshiba-outsourcing-semiconductor-production-to-rival-samsung/#comments'Tis the season for manufacturing deals? Sure seems it. Merely hours after Sony announced its intentions to buy back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it looks as if Tosh is about to enter into yet another agreement. In this case, it'll be outsourcing the unprofitable production of semiconductors to rival Samsung, which will be responsible for churning out the brains behind a number of smartphones, televisions and digital home appliances. Numerous sources have explained that Toshiba is interested in realigning its focus onto the blossoming memory chip business, and moreover, its hoping to evade costly facility upgrades that would be necessary to remain competitive in the system LSI business.

In other words, the company is dodging investment costs and placing a greater emphasis on a sector that's already profitable (NAND flash production, for those curious), and after the Oita plant is handed off, it'll be used to make image sensors in digital cameras. The Nagasaki plant, as we heard earlier, will be handed over to Sony. Toshiba's stocks were sent northward after investors welcomed the news, but of course it remains to be seen what kind of consumer impact this will have. Whatever the case, we certainly hope Toshiba never runs into any trouble with Sammy -- it's not like its top brass can be touched, regardless of infraction.

Toshiba outsourcing semiconductor production to rival Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscircuitcircuitryflashfoundryindustrymemorynandoutsourceoutsourcingpartnerpartnershipprocessorsamsungsemiconductorsonytoshibaSat, 25 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Micron embeds error correction in flash memory chips, calls it ClearNAND]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/micron-embeds-error-correction-in-flash-memory-chips-calls-it-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/micron-embeds-error-correction-in-flash-memory-chips-calls-it-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/micron-embeds-error-correction-in-flash-memory-chips-calls-it-c/#comments Solid state storage is fantastic stuff, durable and lightning-quick, but it's got its fair share of quirks -- bits fail, pages fill up, and cells deteriorate over time. Typically, the onus is on a beefy controller to take care of your drive and make sure it lasts a good long while (which is why brand names like SandForce can make or break an SSD) but it looks like Micron is planning to usurp some of that responsibility with its new ClearNAND chips. Simply put, each ClearNAND memory module has a built-in 24-bit error correction engine, so your drive's host controller doesn't have to shoulder that load, and can focus on the good stuff -- like getting your data delivered at speeds that would obliterate traditional hard drives. Micron says the new chips are available right now in 25nm sizes. Want a more technical rundown? Hit up our more coverage link to hear what this might mean for the error-prone future of the medium. PR after the break.

Continue reading Micron embeds error correction in flash memory chips, calls it ClearNAND

Micron embeds error correction in flash memory chips, calls it ClearNAND originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ClearNANDECCerror correctionErrorCorrectionflashflash memoryflash storageFlashMemoryFlashStorageMicronNANDNAND flashNandFlashsolid statesolid state storageSolidStateSolidStateStoragessdstorageSun, 05 Dec 2010 18:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba rolls out Blade X-gale SSD modules, makes MacBook Air storage look a little less proprietary]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/toshiba-rolls-out-blade-x-gale-ssd-modules-makes-macbook-air-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/toshiba-rolls-out-blade-x-gale-ssd-modules-makes-macbook-air-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/toshiba-rolls-out-blade-x-gale-ssd-modules-makes-macbook-air-st/#comments One of the most impressive aspects of Apple's recent MacBook Air redesign was undeniably the shift to ultrathin flash storage modules that could cram your gigabytes of data into picoliters of space. Needless to say, that's the sort of storage we could all do with in our lives and today Toshiba's doing us a solid by introducing its Blade X-gale SSD line to the wider world. It's basically the same stuff as in the Airs, sans Apple's bombastic marketing, and while the new SSD modules are not yet readily available to buy by consumers (who wouldn't have anywhere to put them in their laptops anyhow), system integrators are all free to start building around them as of today. The 64GB and 128GB modules are only 2.2mm tall, while the double-stacked 256GB option is 3.7mm in height, and all three can reach speeds of 220MBps while reading or 180MBps when writing. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba rolls out Blade X-gale SSD modules, makes MacBook Air storage look a little less proprietary

Toshiba rolls out Blade X-gale SSD modules, makes MacBook Air storage look a little less proprietary originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>128gb256gbbladeblade x-galeblade-typeBladeX-galeflashflash memoryflash storageFlashMemoryFlashStoragemlc nandMlcNandnandsolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdtoshibax-galeMon, 08 Nov 2010 03:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingston debuts 96GB SSDNow V+100 solid state drive, complete with 25 percent performance boost]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/kingston-debuts-96gb-ssdnow-v-100-solid-state-drive-complete-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/kingston-debuts-96gb-ssdnow-v-100-solid-state-drive-complete-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/kingston-debuts-96gb-ssdnow-v-100-solid-state-drive-complete-wi/#commentsAnother week, another SSDNow drive. This go 'round, Kingston's trotting out a midrange 96GB version of the SSDNow V+100, which promises to offer a 25 percent increase in performance over existing V+ units. Furthermore, this guy has an enhanced 'always-on' garbage collection feature, which purports to clean redundant data from the drive to prevent performance degradation and maintains the drive over its life cycle. Thankfully for you dual-boot users, the garbage collection scheme operates independently from the OS -- in other words, it works with both modern, TRIM-supporting systems such as Windows 7, as well as older legacy OS' such as Windows Vista and XP that do not support TRIM. The 96 gigger carries an MSRP of $290, while a 64GB unit can be had for as little as $220 and a 512GB version for a staggering $1,900.

Continue reading Kingston debuts 96GB SSDNow V+100 solid state drive, complete with 25 percent performance boost

Kingston debuts 96GB SSDNow V+100 solid state drive, complete with 25 percent performance boost originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flashKingstonnandsolid state driveSolidStateDriveSSDssdnowstorageTRIMTue, 02 Nov 2010 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel, Samsung, Toshiba form consortium aiming for 10nm chips by 2016]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/intel-samsung-toshiba-form-consortium-aiming-for-10nm-chips-by/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/intel-samsung-toshiba-form-consortium-aiming-for-10nm-chips-by/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/intel-samsung-toshiba-form-consortium-aiming-for-10nm-chips-by/#commentsThere isn't much to say here, so let's just get on with the facts: Intel, Samsung, and Toshiba are joining forces and pooling R&D efforts in a consortium funded in part by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (an expected 50 percent, or 5 billion yen / US $62 million) and the rest from the members. The goal? Semiconductor chips nearing 10nm by 2016. Ten more companies are expected to be invited once things get sorted out, so major chip-related corporations, please keep checking your mailboxes daily.

Intel, Samsung, Toshiba form consortium aiming for 10nm chips by 2016 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 nm10Nmchipchip sizesChipSizesflashinteljapanjapanesenandnand flashNandFlashnmsamsungsemi conductorSemiConductortoshibaFri, 29 Oct 2010 09:05:00 EST