SanDisk intros 64GB flash drive for notebooks

SanDisk launched its efforts at Taiwan's Computex expo by revealing a 64GB version of its SanDisk SSD flash drive. Already doubling the 32GB capacity shown early this year, the new version is built in a separate 1.8-inch, parallel ATA version for ultraportables and a 2.5-inch, serial ATA version for larger notebooks and drops in as a replacement for traditional magnetic storage. As with the earlier capacity, the solid-state nature shockproofs the drive and cuts down practical response times: a large OS such as Windows Vista cuts its boot from 48 to 30 seconds, SanDisk claims. Overall responsiveness is even shorter, dropping from 11 milliseconds for average file access to 0.11 milliseconds. Power use also drops to as little as half a watt compared to multiple watts for typical storage.

Intended as an OEM drive for PC makers, both of the SSD drives will be tested by computer companies during the summer and should enter mass production for actual products towards the end of the year. No partners have been named for the drive's use, though Dell and Sony already use 32GB flash in certain notebooks. Analysts have previously favored Apple as a possible candidate for an ultraportable that might implement flash for some or all of its storage.