Intel Entering Solid State Drive Market

[MacRumors]

CNet reports that Intel is entering the Solid State Drive (SSD) market later this year to compete against existing suppliers such as Samsung, Toshiba, and SanDisk. Up to this point Intel has only offered small-capacity products up to 16GB in size. In Q2, Intel will be introducing 80GB and 160GB 1.8 and 2.5-inch SSDs aimed at the laptop market. Intel also promises significant performance gains over existing SSD products:

"When Intel launches its...products, you'll see that not all SSDs are created equal," Winslow said. "The way the SSDs are architected, the way the controller and firmware operates makes a huge difference"

The drives are expected to come with an SATA interface, making them not directly compatible with the MacBook Air -- the only Apple laptop that offers an SSD option. As SSD drives drop in price, however, we can expect them to be offered with other Apple laptops. Intel believes prices will drop 40-50% per year.

Solid State Drives offer advantages of faster performance, lower power requirements and durability over traditional hard drives.

Article Link

[zirkle2007]

With Intel in the game now, I think we'll see a lot of improvements. I think they have a lot to offer to the architecture of the whole SSD. Maybe they can get some bonuses in there too since it would most likely be used with Intel chipsets and processors.

[chicagostars]

Anything that can move the technology forward along with helping to push along the already anticipated price drops seems like something to welcome. Still would like to see more info as it develops, but on the surface this appears to be a good thing.

[yoman]

As always more competition is better. Prices should come down relatively quickly for SSDs.

[davak]

How to write an Intel press release.

Just change the X to whatever you are pushing:

"Intel also promises significant performance gains over existing X products..."

Rinse and repeat.

[SkippyThorson]

Amen! Up to a 50% price drop? Intel is going to be the leader with these in no time. This could very well drag me away from my '05 iBook.

[morespce54]

Originally Posted by chicagostars

Anything that can move the technology forward along with helping to push along the already anticipated price drops seems like something to welcome. Still would like to see more info as it develops, but on the surface this appears to be a good thing.

Indeed!
Anyone (or anything) who helps dropping the price of SSD is welcome.

[bytethese]

Yes plz! Only thing I'm concerned about is my admitted 'ignorance'. I know there will be no shock on a SSD since no moving parts, so bye bye shock sensors and associated apps. But what about bad sectors? Can something like that happen on a SSD and if so, what's the likelihood?

I also know that they draw less power, perhaps the newer laptops can be put in a "low power mode" and would be able to possibly play a Blu-ray disk in its entirety?

Either way, I think I'd LOVE to see this in an option for MBP's, maybe Q3-Q4?

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by bytethese

Either way, I think I'd LOVE to see this in an option for MBP's, maybe Q3-Q4?

Doubt it. We might (MIGHT!) see these in non-Air Macs in 2009 as an option (user must pick, not standard on any models) but event that might be pushing it.

I'd say 2010 or maybe even 2011 is more likely. The fact is, at the moment these things offer less storage space for far more money. That's worth it for Air users...they need a small computer with long battery life and are willing to pay a lot more for that.

But they'll have to drop in price a bunch to be attractive to the other laptop users. It will happen eventually, but not this year.

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by Small White Car

Doubt it. We might (MIGHT!) see these in non-Air Macs in 2009 as an option (user must pick, not standard on any models) but event that might be pushing it.

I'd say 2010 or maybe even 2011 is more likely. The fact is, at the moment these things offer less storage space for far more money. That's worth it for Air users...they need a small computer with long battery life and are willing to pay a lot more for that.

But they'll have to drop in price a bunch to be attractive to the other laptop users. It will happen eventually, but not this year.

No way will it be THAT long.... I'd put my money on Q2-Q3 2009

[mm1250]

I'm happy to see Intel get in the game. They are very smart company that has been leading the way for many years in whatever product they venture in. I've been waiting for SSD computing for sooo long i'm glad i'll live to see it. BTW I am a INTC shareholder.

[sleepingworker]

So happy to read this! Having had to replace two dead HD's on my laptops, one external that crashed, and numerous 3G iPods whose HD's had met their maker, I truly look forward to when SSD's are the norm and the spinning HD is considered a quaint and old technology.

[Gunga Din]

Originally Posted by zirkle2007

With Intel in the game now, I think we'll see a lot of improvements. I think they have a lot to offer to the architecture of the whole SSD. Maybe they can get some bonuses in there too since it would most likely be used with Intel chipsets and processors.

SSD 2008: $1000
SSD 2009: $500
SSD 2010: $250

** and in 2010 you will have a much larger capacity SSD

Thats why I just bought the new MBP recently. The next meaningful upgrade option (to me) is the SSD. All the different chips and platforms between now and 2010 (when a SSD will be affordable to me personally) is unimportant to me.

People asked me if I would wait for Montevina or Nehalem, Wimax etc, I told them no because I feel the SSD is the premium upgrade to wait for, not the Chipset or Platform. So since I'm not willing to wait till 2010, I bought now.

Just incase anyone else was thinking of waiting, this was my reasoning.

[sleepingworker]

Originally Posted by Gunga Din

SSD 2008: $1000
SSD 2009: $500
SSD 2010: $250

** and in 2010 you will have a much larger capacity SSD

Let's hope that Apple prices SSD's accordingly and doesn't use same same pricing rational that makes their RAM so unreasonably expensive.

And why 2010 for larger capacity SSD's? That's happening constantly. Look at the iPhone which has been out for less than a year - 4 gig, 8 gig, 16 gig.

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by sleepingworker

Let's hope that Apple prices SSD's accordingly and doesn't use same same pricing rational that makes their RAM so unreasonably expensive.

They charge more for RAM because, quite simply, they don't want to change it. They'd rather just sell you their standard models and be done with it.

Things that are built into the standards aren't over-priced, it's just when you make changes that they decide to take you for all you're worth.

So I would expect these drives to be the same as any other built-in component in their computers; built into the overall price at a reasonable level.

[TheSpecialist]

160GB in 1.8 & 2.5 inch. I could get interested if the price is affordable. This is good news, the more competition the better!

What also could happen is that because Apple has a deal with Intel for proccesors, they could also make a deal for SDD's!! Good news!

[Gunga Din]

Originally Posted by sleepingworker

Let's hope that Apple prices SSD's accordingly and doesn't use same same pricing rational that makes their RAM so unreasonably expensive.

And why 2010 for larger capacity SSD's? That's happening constantly. Look at the iPhone which has been out for less than a year - 4 gig, 8 gig, 16 gig.

I'm just saying by then not only will the price be lower , but you may be looking at a 500GB or larger SSD.

[Xfujinon]

Originally Posted by Gunga Din

SSD 2008: $1000
SSD 2009: $500
SSD 2010: $250

** and in 2010 you will have a much larger capacity SSD

Thats why I just bought the new MBP recently. The next meaningful upgrade option (to me) is the SSD. All the different chips and platforms between now and 2010 (when a SSD will be affordable to me personally) is unimportant to me.

People asked me if I would wait for Montevina or Nehalem, Wimax etc, I told them no because I feel the SSD is the premium upgrade to wait for, not the Chipset or Platform. So since I'm not willing to wait till 2010, I bought now.

Just incase anyone else was thinking of waiting, this was my reasoning.

Quoted for truth.

This is the principle motivation I have for "waiting eternally" to upgrade my hardware. I considered dropping a few CF cards via adapter into an old iBook G4, but I have found that option to be fruitless. I will wait another year or two for whatever incarnation of the MBP exists, and then drop the drive in there later.

Boy, it is an AWESOME time to be a Mac geek!

[gcliv]

Can't wait....a 120gb SSD would be a perfect upgrade in a year or so for my Penryn MacBook....

[HLdan]

Originally Posted by gcliv

Can't wait....a 120gb SSD would be a perfect upgrade in a year or so for my Penryn MacBook....

Why do I get the feeling that when the 120's arrive you will crave for more as many typical unsatisfied MR members?

[Macula]

Originally Posted by Gunga Din

People asked me if I would wait for Montevina or Nehalem, Wimax etc, I told them no because I feel the SSD is the premium upgrade to wait for, not the Chipset or Platform. So since I'm not willing to wait till 2010, I bought now.

I fully agree. The same reasoning applies to Macbooks.

[asrmatt]

Originally Posted by Macula

I fully agree. The same reasoning applies to Macbooks.

So happy I bought mine last week...
It's working great, and I'll be happy to maybe get a new one in 2010!

[PeckhamBog]

What advantage, if any has PATA over SATA? Is there any compatability? [Is it interchangeable at all?]

[iBunny]

Originally Posted by PeckhamBog

What advantage, if any has PATA over SATA? Is there any compatability? [Is it interchangeable at all?]

There is no advantage. PATA is old, debuted in 1990s and was replaced by SATA a few years ago.

[EagerDragon]

More manufacturers mean more innovation and price drops.

However we still have a ways to go.

Wake me up when they have 500G SSD drives for $250.00.

BTW store closed and re-opened with no visible changes, so no SSD drive for 700 yet.