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Toshiba bolsters 32nm mSATA SSD lineup, your future netbook nods approvingly
We like to think of 'em as the SSDs for the little guys, and we couldn't be happier to hear that they're getting bigger and bigger in terms of capacity. Toshiba introduced the first solid state drives to use the mini-SATA interface back in September of '09, and while those 32nm units were made available in 30GB and 62GB sizes, the pack rats weren't satisfied. Now, the company has introduced a 128GB flavor with an mSATA interface, offering up a maximum sequential read speed of 180MB/s and a maximum sequential write speed of 70MB/s. The 128GB modules are said be one-seventh the volume and one-eighth the weight of 2.5-inch SSDs, and in case that's not enough, the third-generation HG SSDs will bring nearly twice the aforesaid speed and will ship in capacities of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Hit the source link for all the dirt... except for the pricing, naturally.
SanDisk ships world's first X4-based flash memory cards, humans wait for capacity increases
SanDisk was busy trumpeting the benefits of X4 technology way back in February, and now the company's tooting its own horn once more by shipping the planet's first memory cards based on the new tech. For those who've forgotten, X4 can hold four bits of data in each memory cell, which is twice as many as the cells in traditional MLC NAND memory chips. In theory, this stuff will allow for bigger capacities in the flash memory that we so dearly love, but for whatever reason (read: cost concerns), the first X4-based SDHC and Memory Stick PRO cards top out at just 16GB. Wake us up when we can slam a sub-$50 256GB SDHC card into our D90, okay?
Toshiba 43nm MLC NAND-based SSDs spotted in retail
If you were lusting after those 43nm drives that Toshiba recently started shipping to OEMs, we found a source for you. If you're in Japan (or comfortable ordering from Japan) ioPLAZA has the 256GB (2.5-inch) SSDs listed for ¥85,800 (about $970). Intrigued? We bet you are. Orders placed now ship later this month. Hit the read link to see for yourself.
Intel and Micron announce smallest, cheapest NAND flash yet
Hynix was first out of the gate with triple-level-cell flash memory, but Intel and Micron just pushed the MLC state of the art with their new 34nm three-bits-per-cell NAND, which they say will produce even smaller and cheaper 32Gb chips than those currently on the market. That means we should be seeing some monster storage in some tiny packages later this year when these guys ship -- everyone ready for another round of flash drive purchases?[Via CNET]
Toshiba ships 43nm MLC NAND-based SSDs to OEMs for unknown amounts
It started out as just disheartening, but now it's downright frustrating. With rare exception, each and every SSD release we hear about these days scuttles skillfully around the issue of price. Take Toshiba, for example, who has just confessed to shipping its 43nm MLC NAND-based solid state drives to five undisclosed OEMs. Not only do we have no clue as to which companies will be integrating these into their machines, but we've no idea what these mystery firms are paying. What we do know is this: Tosh's new range of 1.8- and 2.5-inch SSDs are leaving the docks now in capacities of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB -- good luck figuring out where they'll land.[Via HotHardware]
Intel's 34nm SSDs go official, no 320GB model in sight
Ugh, seriously Intel? While we've been waiting for 34nm-based SSDs for what feels like ages now, it's not so much the new process technology that had our interest piqued. Instead, it was the hope of a 320GB model from the outfit. Today, Intel got official with a new pair of 34nm SSDs, though neither of 'em are any larger than the previous 50nm X25-M (2.5-inch) and X18-M (1.8-inch). In fact, the new units even boast the same model names. The newcomers arrive in 80GB and 160GB sizes, and while actual hard drive benchmarking tools are apt to show a marginal increase in performance, even Intel admits that most folks won't see "noticeable gains" in real-world use. So, what's the point of popping out 34nm SSDs that are silver instead of black? Lower prices, or so the company says. If the market reacts to the cost savings that are being passed forward, you can expect the 80GB model to run $225, while the 160GB edition gets marked at $440, both in quantities of 1,000. Call us spoiled, but we're still longing for more.[Thanks, Joseph]
Lexar Media issues 64GB, 128GB and 256GB Crucial M225 SSDs
It's been a long, long while since we've seen a new Crucial-branded SSD, but we'd argue that Lexar Media couldn't have picked a better time to end the hiatus. The M225 solid state drive family is the fastest, most capacious Crucial SSD line to date, and while they still lag behind OCZ's new Vertex Turbo SSD drives, they don't lag by much. The 2.5-inch SATA units can hit read speeds of up to 250MBps and write speeds of up to 200MBps, and the whole lot features MLC NAND flash memory and a SATA 2.0 (3Gbps) interface. Available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models, the trio is also fully compatible with the Crucial SK01 external drive storage kit, and unlike so many competitors, Lexar decided to go rouge and actually announce prices for the now-available units: $169.99, $329.99 and $599.99 in order of mention. Not too shabby, wouldn't you agree?
Intel's 34nm-based 320GB solid state drive creeps closer to reality
Hankering for an SSD that's as big as your traditional HDD? So is Intel, or so we hear. In fact, we've been hearing whispers that a capacious 320GB solid state drive was in the works since January, and now those whispers have been upgraded to library-like voices. According to the generally reliable Golum, Intel's so-called Postville SSD family is well on its way to reality, and with them should come much needed price drops. The new series should top out at 320GB, with an 80GB and 160GB version falling underneath. Word on the street has it that both of the smaller two will be around $100 cheaper than the same-sized X25-M drives, though there's been no leaks on the 320GB model's MSRP. Still, Intel has a golden opportunity here if it'll just get these things to market -- a cheap(er) SSD with a brand name like Intel could blow the solid state market wide open.[Thanks, Marius]
Nanometer wars heat up, Toshiba and Intel enter unofficial race
Think the megapixel race is bad? Now we've another to worry about, with both Toshiba and Intel hastily approaching 0.01nm technology in order to make chips faster, more nimble and smaller. According to undisclosed sources at Digitimes, Intel has actually canned production plans for its 45nm Havendale processors, which were originally slated to slip into machines later this year. The cause? It's heading straight to 32nm, reportedly hoping to ship its Clarkdale line in Q1 2010 with entry-level prices ranging from $60 to $190. In related news, Toshiba is joining the likes of IBM, Samsung and Globalfoundries in an effort to dish out chips based on 28nm process technology. Needless to say, the move is being made in an effort to "stay relevant in an area dominated by the likes of Intel Corp and Texas Instruments." Now, if only we could get one of these potent, low-power chips inside of a netbook, we'd be pleased as punch.Read - Intel cans Havendale in move to 32nmRead - Toshiba speeds to 28nm
JMicron NAND flash controller could lead to significantly lower SSD prices
Truth be told, SSD prices have been declining at a noticeable tick since way back in 2007, but the reality is that the average consumer still can't afford one -- or, at least they aren't willing to pay the lofty premium for the decent increase in speed. If a bold claim from JMicron is to be believed, all that could change in the run-up to CES 2010. A new report has it that the aforesaid company will be demonstrating its new NAND flash controller next week at Computex, with the JMF612 aimed specifically at a "new generation of NAND flash chips built using smaller process geometries that will be entering the market soon." If all goes well, the cheap single-chip controller could lead to SSD prices falling by around 50 percent by Christmas, but after years of waiting for these things to really get priced for Joe Sixpack and his gaggle of siblings, we're still cautiously skeptical. Not that we wouldn't love to be proven wrong or anything.[Image courtesy of HotHardware]
Corsair's speedy P256 256GB solid state drive now shipping
Remember that then-named S256 we saw sneak out right around a month ago? Yeah, that bad boy's finally on sale, and it's shipping as we speak from a number of trustworthy e-tailers. Said SSD -- which now goes formally by P256 -- packs specially selected Samsung MLC flash memory and a sophisticated Samsung Controller IC, coupled with 128MB of cache memory and Native Command Queuing (NCQ) support for stutter-free performance. By the books, this one can reach speeds of up to 220MB/sec (read) and 200MB/sec (write), though you can bet you'll be paying for the haste. We're seeing it on sale for around $658 online, though Dell's listing shows a wicked steep $851.99. Either way, ouch. Full release is after the break.
Toshiba to ship 32nm process NAND flash memory
Man, talk about a lightning quick turnaround. Just over two months ago, Toshiba was caught showing off 32 nanometer NAND flash chips, and now the firm's gloating about being the world's first to hit the "ship" button. Er, it will be should everything continue as planned. As the story goes, Tosh will start mass production of 32Gb NAND flash memories in July 2009, while 16Gb products will begin to ship in Q3 of this year. The point to this madness? To get more memory into smaller devices, which ought to make future smartphone / MID / UMPC buyers quite jovial.[Image courtesy of Tech-On]
Toshiba shows off 32nm NAND flash chips, promises to go smaller
32nm NAND flash memory may not seem like a huge leap over some of the current 34nm chips out there, but Toshiba seems to be able to appreciate the little things in life, and it's certainly found plenty to boast about with its latest chips here. Perhaps most notably, the company apparently didn't make any major changes from its previous 43nm chips in terms of device structure, with the exception of one "major improvement" to the circuit that was made to overcome the "extremely small" write margin. The new 32nm chips also pack the same 32-gigabit (or 4GB) capacity as those aforementioned 34nm chips, which should let folks cram a bit more storage into the same small space. Better still, Toshiba says volume production of the chips should begin as soon as September of this year, and it's apparently already aiming to mass produce some chips in the 20 to 30nm range by late 2010 or 2011.[Via Electronista]
Inductive coupling slashes SSD power consumption
While HDD vendors are still pushing areal density limits, SSD manufacturers seem to be kicking back and soaking in the profits associated with a cutting edge technology. Unsatisfied with the lack of innovation in the space, a team from Keio University has developed an inductive coupling wireless communication technology, which is used within a solid state drive composed of "three-dimensionally layered 64 NAND flash memory chips." The development is being highlighted at ISSCC 2009, and it's bruited that drives constructed using this tech can operate with 50 percent less power compared to traditional SSDs. Additionally, the wireless communication that goes on enables the amount of wires within to be cut down significantly (from 1,500 to 200 in one example). We can only imagine that those involved with the process are pushing hard to get it implemented by SSD makers, and while we're still looking for overall prices to drop before we start focusing on anything else, we'll certainly take a performance boost (and energy savings) while they're at it.[Via HotHardware]
Toshiba and SanDisk temporarily slash NAND Flash production by 30% in Yokkaichi
Despite the fact that folks will still be snapping up digital cameras, DAPs / PMPs and additional storage this holiday season, SanDisk and Toshiba don't see demand being anywhere near optimal. The pair, which are linked via a joint venture production plant in Yokkaichi, Japan, have decided it best to temporarily reduce NAND Flash output by around 30%. Here's the scary part: "the duration and extent of this reduction in fab output will depend upon market conditions." You guys are all going to feel really goofy when consumers realize they simply can't live without their constant flow of semiconductors and decorated Segways here in a few months -- just sayin'.[Via EETimes]Read - Toshiba's takeRead - SanDisk's take
Intel, Micron start churning out 34nm, 32Gb NAND Flash chips
Intel and Micron's subsidiary IM Flash Technologies first announced its first-of-its-kind 34nm NAND Flash memory back in May of this year and, as promised, it's now finally followed through on things pushed 'em into mass production. The chip's themselves are 32 gigabit multi-level cell chips, and can hold 4GB of memory on their own, or be stacked on top of each other in a standard 48-lead thin small-outline package (TSOP) to hold up to 64GB. That, the companies say, will not only allow for increased storage in small form factor devices, but less expensive solid state drives as well, given the reduced manufacturing costs. They're apparently still a little ways away from finding their way into some actual products, however, with the companies only going so far as to say that the first samples are on track for early 2009[Via Electronista]
TDK trots out industrial CompactFlash cards / SSDs
Not just everyone can get away with consumer-level kit, and if you plan on keeping that Counter-Strike server running for another four years without so much as a hiccup, you should probably look into some industrial-strength materials. To that end, we present to you a new pair from TDK: a U.DMA 6-compatible CompactFlash card and a line of PATA SSDs, both of which boast a maximum capacity of 16GB. Both lines combine the original GBDriver RA8 U.DMA 6-compatible NAND Flash memory controller with a high-frequency SLC NAND Flash memory module for read speeds of up to 50MB/sec and write speeds up to 30MB/sec. You'll also find an error correction function scalable to 15 bit/sector ECC to provide high data reliability -- remember, zero hiccups -- and a static wear leveling function to greatly increase the write life span. Sadly, no pricing figures are disclosed, but both crews should start shipping next month.[Via SlashGear]
Toshiba introduces ultra-dense 43nm SLC NAND flash chips
The dense just keep getting denser -- er, something like that. Anywho, those who just love talking about fabrication technologies over tea and crumpets will adore what Toshiba's boasting: a new family of 43-nanometer SLC NAND flash products. The 16-member crew will range in density from 512Mbits to 64Gbits, with a trio of 'em (16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb) integrating 43nm monolithic 16Gb chips, "the highest density SLC NAND chips available." Tosh is hoping to find its new gear in all sorts of mobile phones, office automation equipment and servers when they begin shipping in Q1 2009, but it's keeping pretty quiet on the pricing front for now.[Via Physorg]
BiTMICRO introduces 832GB SSD for CES 2008
The folks at BiTMICRO are about to blow some doors off of the SSD truck with a new product they'll be showing at CES this year. According to a press release, the company is introducing a new, 2.5-inch solid-state drive with a whopping 832GB of NAND flash goodness. The SATA II (3Gbps) drive is a new addition to the company's E-Disk Altima line, and utilizes a technology the company calls multi-level cell (or MLC) memory, which apparently doubles the number of bits stored per memory cell when compared with single-level cell (SLC) NAND. The drives are expected to ship Q3 2008 in capacities ranging from 32GB to 832GB -- and you can be sure we'll be staring intently at them (and asking for demo units) as soon as CES rolls around.[Via Macrumors forums]
More info on Fusion's ioDrive, the PCIe card with massive flash storage
You may remember the lovable yet rascally ioDrive PCIe card from Fusion which we told you about back in the sun-drenched, salad days of September. Well, we've gotten a few more details on the "SAN in the palm of your hand," and we thought we'd share. As you'll recall, the card is meant to deliver very high, sustained read / write speeds, allowing the ioDrive to perform "nearly a thousand times faster than any existing disk drive." Well, the good folks at Fusion have now given the system a price -- the card starts at $2,400 -- and offered up some fresh info, like that the ioDrive is NAND flash-based, will support multiple terabytes of virtual memory, and has access rates on par with DRAM. Which is real fast. Hit the link for a lot more info, and don't be afraid to peruse the company's .pdf data sheet.
