I think this news only helps Apple. Doesn't benefit Apple or its users if these were only available through Apple.
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Toshiba Introduces MacBook Air 'Blade-Type' SSDs to Mass Market
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I think this news only helps Apple. Doesn't benefit Apple or its users if these were only available through Apple.
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Heh 10% of the computer. I didn't think of it in that way. Now there will be complaints on why the air wasn't thicker to fit bigger SSDs in
never win!
sammich said:
Heh 10% of the computer. I didn't think of it in that way. Now there will be complaints on why the air wasn't thicker to fit bigger SSDs in
never win!
With the big improvements these things made to the Air imagine what they would do to the pro! Wouldn't mind seeing in the iMac too. Especially if it meant more room for better graphics cards
Like others, I was originally thinking that Apple would remove the ODD in favour of more batteries and blade SSD and keep the HDD for more storage, but I don't think that makes sense. These stick SSD provide performance to the Air so it isn't what will distinguish the Pro line when they too will get it. The presence of an ODD will. Yes, HDD offering more capacity could also be used to distinguish the Pro line, but I think that path is redundant as capacity of SSD increases. A 512GB option is almost certain for the top-end MacBook Pro, either via 2x256GB SSD slots, which there is sufficient room for with the HDD removed or via higher density chips, the more elegant but expensive option. The current top HDD option is 500GB, so going 512GB SSD is already more capacity. Plus, if the SD slot is recessed, that can be another option for users to add additional storage, more for files than programs obviously, but the argument for more HDD capacity is generally for files rather than programs anyways.
I'm thinking the 13" Pro will offer 1 Blade SSD slot with 256GB standard on both models, 512GB as an option (initially very expensive due to the need for higher density chips), keep the ODD, but do away with the HDD in favour of discrete graphics (256MB of VRAM in the low model, 512MB in the high) and slightly more battery room. The 15" and 17" Pro will have 2 Blade SSD slots with 1x256GB standard in the lower model, 2x256GB standard in the higher models, and 1x512GB and 2x512GB as options, and do away with the HDD in favour of more battery life and the reappearance of the Expresscard slot in the 15" Pro.
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Something I've been wondering...are these SSD sticks the same speed as a regular laptop SSD? or are they faster? I'm guessing these will not work in the current pros?
Something I've been wondering...are these SSD sticks the same speed as a regular laptop SSD? or are they faster? I'm guessing these will not work in the current pros?
i wonder how much this will cost. As of right now going from 128 -> 256 will cost you 300 dollars. going from 64gb to 128 will cost you 200 dollars. I wouldn't be surprised if these cost 300 to 500 dollars.
Will be interesting to see the price of these babies compared to Apple's stock price for the relevant model.
But regardless, I don't see the big deal. Still can't see any other scenario other that 11" owners wanting a 256GB. That's the only aftermarket 'upgrade' that makes sense because Apple don't offer it. And it looks like physical fit may be an issue.
Now, if they were going to deliver a 512GB SSD 'blade', now that I'd be interested in for my 13" MBA.
But regardless, I don't see the big deal. Still can't see any other scenario other that 11" owners wanting a 256GB. That's the only aftermarket 'upgrade' that makes sense because Apple don't offer it. And it looks like physical fit may be an issue.
Now, if they were going to deliver a 512GB SSD 'blade', now that I'd be interested in for my 13" MBA.
It makes sense for the same reason people don't take memory upgrades at the time of purchase on most Apple Hardware.
13" Air buyers may have the 256GB SSD option, however, if it is cheaper elsewhere, much like memory......
With the big improvements these things made to the Air imagine what they would do to the pro! Wouldn't mind seeing in the iMac too. Especially if it meant more room for better graphics cards
Get rid of the optcal drive and you have plenty of room for good graphics card.
Nice modules!
Jamie, it's SATA, the same interface as most 2.5" and 3.5" SSD's. So, if you were to use the same chips and controller, the speeds would practically be the same in both form factors.
I don't see why the 256GB wouldn't fit in the Air, the Airs have 256GB SSD's themselves, and these are marketed towards consumers with Airs. If there's any incompatibility with size, I'm guessing the 256GB module could only fit in the 13-inch Air and not the 11. That's just a guess though.
Jamie, it's SATA, the same interface as most 2.5" and 3.5" SSD's. So, if you were to use the same chips and controller, the speeds would practically be the same in both form factors.
I don't see why the 256GB wouldn't fit in the Air, the Airs have 256GB SSD's themselves, and these are marketed towards consumers with Airs. If there's any incompatibility with size, I'm guessing the 256GB module could only fit in the 13-inch Air and not the 11. That's just a guess though.
Well this kind of cards weren't entirely new in the market. For example Asus Eee had it for an year already.
Compare these Read/Write performance specs:
TOSHIBA Blade SSDs
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2010_11/pr0801.htm
OWC SSDs
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/inte...xtreme_SSD_Sandforce/Solid_State_Raid_Edition
Suffice it to say, "thinness" is the main thrust of these Toshiba offerings, not performance.
TOSHIBA Blade SSDs
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2010_11/pr0801.htm
OWC SSDs
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/inte...xtreme_SSD_Sandforce/Solid_State_Raid_Edition
Suffice it to say, "thinness" is the main thrust of these Toshiba offerings, not performance.
However, both MBA models are exactly the same thickness, so I would imagine there is room. Apple probably just wanted to differentiate the models.
No, not really, the Toshiba's speeds are on par with 2.5" SSD's. That OWC is actually exceptionally fast compared to 2.5" SSD's because it has RAID.
EDIT: Actually, no, the OWC does have RAID, but it doesn't increase the performance, it's only for "data protection and reliability." It's faster because of the Sandforce controller. (The Toshiba SSD uses a Toshiba T6UG1XBG controller.)
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Really? You're referencing video chatting as an Apple invention?
Facetime is nothing more than iChat renamed. iChat was nothing more than Apple's version of video chatting.