The Solid-State Era Is Upon Us
Posted by Emru Townsend | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:28 AM PT
The next notebook or high-capacity iPod you buy just might have flash memory instead of heavier, more fragile hard drives. If you can afford it. Or if you're very, very patient.
It's been barely three months since SanDisk announced their
2.5'' 32 GB solid-state drive (SSD), designed with a serial ATA interface. Using a standardized interface makes it easier to slip the SSD into existing production systems, or for well-heeled DIYers to upgrade their gadgets themselves.
The only trouble was that 32 GB was kinda lean for a portable computer, which is why SanDisk's new
64 GB SSDs -- they come in both 1.8'' and 2.5'' sizes -- are more tantalizing. SanDisk hasn't announced pricing yet, and mass production is projected to begin until the end of the year. We're not actually in the SSD era yet, but I'd like to think we're at least seeing it on the horizon.
