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        Low-cost SSDs target netbooks

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Aug 28, 2008 | Comments: 1


        Samsung announced it is now sampling "highly cost-efficient" SSD (solid-state drive) modules, targeting netbooks and other low-cost devices. Available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities, the devices are a third the size of traditional, 2.5-inch SSDs, the company adds.



        (Click here for a larger view of Samsung's MLC-based SSD module)

        Without releasing measurements, Samsung touted its new SSDs as "only 30 percent of the size of 2.5-inch SSDs." Like other low-cost SSDs, the modules use MLC (multi-level cell) NAND technology. The new 8GB SSD incorporates four individual 16Gb MLC NAND chips, while the 16GB and 32GB SSDs use four dual-die packages and four quad-die packages of 16Gb NAND, respectively, according to the company. Available photos of the modules seem to show only the onboard sata II controller chip and 32MB of buffer RAM, however.


        Samsung says its new SSD modules are "30 percent of the size of 2.5-inch SSDs"


        Aimed at the netbook market, Samsung's new SSDs do not match the overall speed of Intel's recently announced X-18M and X-25M, which boast sustained read rates of 240MB/sec. and write speeds of 70MB/sec. According to Samsung, however, its new 32GB device matches the above write speed, while reading data at 90MB/sec. Meanwhile, the 16GB SSD boasts sequential reads of 90MB/sec. and writes of 45MB/sec, while the 8GB reads at 90MB/sec. and writes at 25MB/sec, says Samsung.

        Samsung introduced its first SSD in 2006, in 16GB and 32GB capacities targeted at the UMPC market. This was followed by the announcement of a 64GB SSD in 2007, plus 128GB and 256GB SSDs earlier this year. The company also recently announced new drivers and file systems it claims will "significantly" improve SSD performance with Windows and Windows Mobile.

        The market for lower-density netbook SSDs is experiencing "explosive growth," according to Samsung. The company said this week that it expects unit sales of SSDs to increase by 57 percent annually until 2011.

        Further information

        Samsung says it is already sampling the new 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB MLC SSDs, and will begin shipping the devices in September. Pricing was not released.

        Next month, the company adds, it will also begin sampling the 2.5-inch, 256GB SSD mentioned above. The device, also MLC-based, is said to have 200 MB/sec. write read speed, sequential write speed of 160MB/sec., and a one million-hour MTBF.

        More information on the new SSD modules may become available on the Samsung website, here.


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