With consumers looking to take advantage of the power and performance benefits of solid state drives (SSDs), several players have introduced product lines targeting value-conscious consumers. While some customers want the most powerful SSD money can buy, others are looking for a product that gives them the benefits of SSD without breaking the bank. For manufacturers looking to appeal to the more budget-conscious consumer, one option is designing SSDs using the mini-SATA, or mSATA, interface.
The Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO) announced last year that it was developing a specification for a mSATA interface connector, allowing for more effective SATA integration in small form factor applications. mSATA leverages the speed and reliability of the SATA interface, providing high-performance and cost-effective storage for smaller devices and enabling more compact integration into a wide variety of applications. As a result, companies can increase their storage and performance offerings without compromising on space.
mSATA SSDs are approximately the size of a business card and reside in a smaller PCI slot than standard SSDs. Instead of replacing a hard disk drive (HDD), mSATA-based SSDs work in conjunction with HDDs. For example, the computer can use the mSATA SSD for the OS and other primary functions, while the HDD stores the data, music and photos. Manufacturers such as Toshiba and SanDisk currently offer mSATA SSDs, and Intel is reported to be developing its own line.
“Initial adoption of most SATA solid state drives has followed the HDD form factor. Using new mSATA modules enable a smaller, internal module connected to the system board for notebooks, mobile and other embedded storage applications to enable designers greater design flexibility,” Scott Nelson, VP Memory, Toshiba America Electronic Components, said in the original press release.
No concrete timeline has been given for when the mSATA test specification will be available, but Allion has many years of experience with SATA testing and working with manufacturers through SSD development and validation, and looks forward to helping deploy mSATA-compliant products.
Learn More:
- SATA Thinks Small with mSATA
- Budget SSD Market Continues to Grow
- SSD Poised to Become Drive of Choice in 2010
While most solid-state drive (SSD) manufacturers have been attracting new customers by lowering prices, Other World Computing (OWC) is taking a different approach: delivering the most powerful product on the market. OWC announced its new line of Mercury Extreme Pro SSDs, offering exciting performance features in the largest capacity of any current OWC SSD.
The line of prosumer SSDs takes all the benefits of SSDs – faster speeds, greater reliability and lower power consumption – to a whole new level. The Mercury Extreme Pro line delivers up to 285MB/s sustained data rates with no speed degradation, making it one of the fastest SSDs available. In a side-by-side comparison test, the Mercury Extreme Pro SSD booted an OS and loaded six apps in just over 30 seconds, compared to the nearly two minutes it took the factory standard hard drive. The SSDs feature seven percent over-provisioning to offer the highest level of data reliability, offering up to 100x greater data protection than ordinary SSDs. To top it off, the SSDs use up to 1/7 less power than standard SSDs, enabling longer notebook battery runtime and a more energy efficient system.
The SSDs are available for pre-order for both PC and Mac platforms and can be easily installed into notebooks as well as desktop systems with an adapter. They are available in capacities of 60GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB for $219.99, $379.00, $699.99 and $1,579.99, respectively.
Learn More:
- Verifying SSD Quality and Performance through Testing
- Budget SSD Market Continues to Grow
- SSD Poised to Become Drive of Choice in 2010
This week, OCZ Technology unveiled an exciting new line of Enyo Portable solid-state drives (SSDs) featuring SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) technology. The SSDs incorporate all the advantages of an internal SSD – better speed, performance and durability with lower power consumption – into a portable external storage device. This allows consumers to transfer data between multiple computers using one of the fastest backup drives to date.
The Enyo series enables impressive read and write speeds that are sure to please even the most demanding consumers. With up to 260MB/s read, 200MB/s write and 150MB/s sustained write capabilities, the Enyo SSD can copy a 6GB DVD in 20 seconds and a 25GB Blu-ray in 70 seconds. These speeds allow the SSDs to take full advantage of the 5Gbps speeds offered by SuperSpeed USB, a significant speed boost over traditional rotating media. “Background garbage collection” helps maintain optimized performance throughout the product’s lifespan by addressing the fragmentation caused by combined writes while the system idles. The Enyo SSDs are ultra-portable, weighing just 87.7g, are fully backwards-compatible with legacy ports and do not require external power supplies. The SSD line is based on multi-level cell (ML) NAND flash memory and is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB varieties for $229.99, $409.99 and $819.99, respectively.
SSDs and SuperSpeed USB are continuing to broaden their market reach as products push technological boundaries. As more manufacturers adopt SuperSpeed USB and as SSDs continue to gain traction, manufacturers are capable of delivering the highest level of quality and functionality to their customers. With customers demanding greater speed and performance, we can expect more SSDs and SuperSpeed USB certified devices on the market in the near future.
Learn More:
- CeBIT 2010 Unveilings Wow Tech World
- SuperSpeed USB Continues Growth at Devcon
- SSDs Poised to Become Drive of Choice in 2010
As Solid State Drives (SSDs) become widely available and popular with consumers, manufacturers are striving to meet high levels of performance and interoperability. With more operating systems (OS) being supported, along with faster speeds and higher performance requirements, manufacturers need their products to undergo a variety of tests to ensure quality and interoperability before they enter the market.
To help manufacturers meet the highest level of performance and compatibility, Allion has developed a series of tests to ensure the quality of SSDs:
- Hardware Testing: This series of testing provides basic interface conformance and thermal impact benchmarks. It includes high-speed electrical testing, interface protocol testing, thermal testing and mechanical testing.
- Reliability Testing: These fundamental tests help ensure user data will not be compromised due to drive failure. It includes data integrity testing, IO stress testing, power cycle testing, endurance testing and data retention testing.
- Compatibility Testing: These tests ensure that the SSD is compatible with most of the systems available on the market. The SSD is installed in various systems to verify that the different functions of the drive and system work and data is transferred properly. Full compatibility testing includes system compatibility testing and RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) compatibility testing.
- Performance Testing: Complete performance testing detects possible firmware flaws and allows developers to benchmark the market competitiveness of their solution. This series of tests measures performance stability, composite performance, OS installation time, Windows boot/suspend performance, WinSAT, power consumption, and performance on Linux and Mac systems. Manufacturers receive a competitive report to show how their product compares with other SSDs on the market.
- Trim Testing: Trim is a feature available on Windows 7 that reduces the amount of data that is deleted, increasing SSD speed and lifespan by allowing it to delete unnecessary data in advance before it is rewritten. Allion tests Trim support, Trim command performance, I/O latency with Trim, performance degradation and Windows Volume Shadow Service (VSS), which allows users to revert a networked file back to a previous version.
Thorough SSD testing can help both system OEMs and SSD manufacturers guarantee product quality and compatibility. By combining the complete SSD testing process into one facility, Allion is able to deliver the most cost-effective testing environment for developers, providing valuable feedback that can speed up development cycles. Faster development in turn speeds deployment of the product to market while also allowing manufacturers to deliver a device that they can stand behind.
Learn More:
As the solid-state drive (SSD) market continues to expand, consumers are increasingly able to select features and options to meet their individual needs. While some want the most powerful SSD money can buy, others are looking for the best value. And as more SSDs enter the market, the value-conscious consumer will soon be celebrating.
A number of companies have recently introduced lines of SSDs aimed at the budget-conscious consumer, reducing the cost of an SSD without sacrificing performance. In March, OCZ Technology was one of the first companies to break the $100 barrier with the release of the 32G Onyx SSD. Super Talent Technology recently introduced its own line of value SSDs, dubbed the Super Talent VSSD. The VSSDs are available in capacities from 8G to 64G and start as low as $65.
SSDs offer several benefits over traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). SSDs deliver increased speed and power efficiency, enabling better battery life. The use of flash memory improves data access capabilities, resulting in a shorter bootup time and faster application loading. Overall, SSDs provide a more rugged and portable computing experience than their HDD counterparts.
Budget SSD products continue to emerge, meeting users’ demands for increased speed and performance while keeping costs low. The overall SSD market growth has been incredible, and the trend is expected to continue. For the manufacturers, appealing to budget-conscious consumers may be the best way to see widespread market adoption.
Learn More:
There are several reasons we’re excited about the increasing market adoption of solid-state drives (SSDs). From the blazing fast read/write speeds to the lower power consumption, SSDs have several benefits over their hard-disk drive (HDD) predecessors. And now Intel has announced that its new SATA SSD, the Intel X25-V, designed for value-segment notebooks and netbooks, provides a high-performance boot drive for desktops and embedded systems.
Priced at $125, Intel’s X25-V combines performance and value for the consumer market segments. The X25-V features 40GB of 32nm multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory and is capable of running up to 32 concurrent operations at nearly four times the speed of a 7200RPM hard drive. Consumers can download the Intel SSD Toolbox, complete with the Intel SSD Optimizer, to easily maintain SSD performance. The X25-V is a significant price drop from other Intel SSD drives, with an 80GB Intel X25-M available for $265 or a 32GB Intel X25-E starting around $380.
Desktop PC users will be able to add an SSD option to a dual-drive set-up, or “boot drive.” The Intel X25-V SSD, loaded with the operating system and favorite applications, is added to the a desktop’s dual-drive configuration with an existing HDD. The SSD allows for faster start time, while the “bootstrapped” HDD drive, or boot drive, serves as a means of higher capacity data storage.
The Intel X25-V is consistent with Intel’s latest strategy to bring SSDs “out of the niche markets and into the mainstream.” With the prices of SSD technology continuing to drop, it looks as though that goal might be well on its way to being fulfilled.
Learn More:
CeBIT 2010, the world’s largest annual technology showcase, set the tech world abuzz this year with exciting new technology on every table. Now that CeBIT has come to an end, here’s a look at some of the new technologies and trends we saw at the Hannover, Germany trade show:
SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0). Continuing to build on the momentum of its unveiling just over a year ago, the USB Implementers Forum announced that 50 SuperSpeed USB products – including notebooks, motherboards, storage controllers and external storage devices – have passed compliance and certification testing.
SSDs. Several new SSDs were unveiled at CeBIT, including Corsair’s new SandForce SF-1200 chip. With 280 Mbps read and 260 Mbps write speeds, it features one of the fastest controllers on the market. Plextor has also entered the SSD market, releasing its flagship 2.5” solid state drives. And not to be outdone, Patriot created an extravagant PC using 40 SSDs, capable of ripping a Blu-ray in under a second.
333 Motherboards. Motherboard manufacturers are combining the latest technologies to unleash unprecedented performance. GigaByte introduced its 333 Onboard Acceleration motherboards, featuring USB 3.0, 3x USB power boost and SATA 3.0. ASROCK also introduced its line of True 333 Onboard Motherboards, all of which include USB 3.0, SATA 3.0 and eSATA, which reaches data transfer rates of up to 3 Gbps.
Overall, CeBIT 2010 was an exciting show that highlighted the enormous steps taking place in consumer technology. USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 continue to be adopted at lightning pace, and there seems to be no end in sight to applications for these new data transfer technologies. Needless to say, we can’t wait to see which new technologies will be showcased next year.
Learn More:
- SSD Poised to Become Drive of Choice in 2010
- DisplayPort and USB 3.0 Named Among Top Technologies of 2010
Intel aims to be the worldwide leader in the solid state drive (SSD) market. The company plans to unseat Samsung as the top market player while bringing SSDs to the forefront. In the SSD retail market, Intel currently claims the lead in the U.S. and sits second worldwide.
Intel’s joint venture with Micron Technologies Inc. has rolled out the first in a family of 25-nm devices, which, in addition to putting Intel almost a year ahead of the competition in terms of technology, gives Intel a significant cost advantage; while 34-nm competitors have an average cost of $1/GB, Intel’s 25-nm NAND part will average $0.50/GB. Intel plans to ship its new line of 25-nm device-based SSDs later this year.
“We want to be a leader in SSDs,” Tom Rampone, the VP and general manager of Intel’s NAND Solutions Group, told EE Times at a recent event. “We want to bring SSDs out of the niche markets and into the mainstream.”
Compelling SSD features, including unprecedented speeds, durability, and silent operation, will bring big benefits to end-users in both personal and enterprise applications. Also noteworthy is that SSDs enable new technologies such as SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) to achieve higher data transfer rates than what is possible with traditional HDDs. As we reported earlier this year, 2010 is shaping up to be the year for SSDs.
After months of screen shots, pre-release videos and an appearance at CES, the Crucial RealSSD C300, announced in December, is nearing its public debut.
Sold and distributed by Micron’s retail branch, Crucial, the C300 uses Micron’s firmware and Marvell’s new SATA6Gb/s solid-state drive (SSD) controller to reach new levels of speed and performance. It is the first SSD to use ONFI 2.1 NAND flash memory, which offers performance of up to 200MB/s while enhancing power management. The C300 will be the industry’s fastest solid-state drive (SSD) for notebooks and desktop PCS.
TweakTown performed a series of SSD tests on the Crucial RealSSD C300 to see how its performance held up to the competition. Using PCMark Vantage, a hardware performance benchmark, to measure and compare performance, they found the C300 far outperformed the other drives on the market. For instance, during gaming the C300 was able to run 201.26MB/s, while the 100GB RunCore Pro V came in second with 154.42MB/s. The C300 ran Windows Media Center at 261.40 MB/s, with the runner up performing at 190.75MB/s. The only exception was its abnormally low performance when running Windows Media Player, which testers believe is likely due to a firmware glitch. After zooming through all the tests, without the chance to idle, the C300 showed no significant decrease in performance.
With its improved reliability, lower power consumption and blazing speeds, the C300 offers a new level of computing performance. As TweakTown put it, “At this point in time, there is no other drive, platter or solid state that is in the same league as the Crucial RealSSD C300.” The C300 will be ready for consumers later month. The 125GB model will be available for $499 and the 256GB for $799.
LSI Corp. and Seagate Technology Inc. recently announced their collaboration to create a PCI-based Solid State Drive (SSD). The companies are combining LSI’s board-level product integrating SAS and PCIe technology with Seagate’s SSD technology to address consumer demands for increased speed and power by achieving new levels of performance, reliability and ease of use. For the computer industry, it looks increasingly likely that SSD technology will begin to phase out Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).
HDD performance has inherent physical limitations. Data transfer rates are defined by the speed of the spindle motor, which controls and spins the platters that hold the computer data. An additional disadvantage of HDDs is the high power consumption of the spindle motor and its required set of heating and cooling devices. Finally, data access for HDD relies on the synchronization of the electromagnetic read/write devices and the platters, which can limit random access speeds. SSDs, on the other hand, are built entirely out of semiconductors and require no moving parts. Storage is handled by flash memory chips rather than magnetic media. An SSD is able to provide a more rugged and portable computing experience with reduced power consumption, higher reliability and faster data access.
New technologies are highlighting the limitations of HDDs, especially with transfer speeds. For example, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) has the capacity to transfer data at 5Gb/s, which is a faster rate than a HDD can transfer. Because SuperSpeed USB exceeds the speed of a HDD, consumers using a product with a HDD will not be able to take full advantage of this new technology’s data transfer rate capabilities. With new innovative technologies and the demand for increased bandwidth, the SSD is suited to be the drive of choice for manufacturers.
The Solid State Drive Alliance (SSDA) has authorized Allion as its first SSD Independent Testing Lab (ITL) for the SSDA Compliance Program. With emerging technologies creating a greater consumer demand for speed and reliability, 2010 could be the year for the SSD.
