SanDisk ships next-gen pSSD storage for netbooks
updated 01:30 pm EDT, Wed June 3, 2009
SanDisk pSSD for netbooks
SanDisk has begun shipping its next-generation SSD drives geared for netbooks, the pSSD P2 and S2. Both series of components feature new non-volatile nCache technology which is claimed to enable a five-fold increase in random write performance compared to HDDs, an important advancement for netbooks that use full-featured operating systems such as XP or Ubuntu. The technology is designed to reduce instances of stalling or "shuddering" experienced with earlier-generation SSDs.
For steady read and write operations, the drives can sustain speeds similar to what could be achieved with a theoretical 9,000 RPM HDD. The storage is also built with small components, fitting into much tighter spaces than standard disk drives.
Power consumption has also been lowered, enabling integration with sub-netbook size devices requiring maximum efficiency for longer battery life. The company expects the SSDs to be used in a variety of new devices, including low-priced ARM-based devices customized for mobile network operators (MNOs).
The P2 and S2 are virtually shockproof and resistant to extreme temperatures, while long-term reliability is said exceed standard hard drives by a factor of five.
The pSSDs are available in capacities including 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The components likely will show up in products later this year.
