There are some relatively new, and unexpected developments with Intel’s line of Solid State Drives. In case you didn’t already know, SSDs improve local storage options by offering faster read/write speeds and lower power consumption ratings. Solid State Drives are ideal for gaming and media playback where the drive is constantly being accessed under heavy loads. Without delving too much into particulars, let’s just say that Solid State Drives are pretty much the best money can get right now when it comes to hard drive peripherals.
One of the most striking features, of Solid State Drives, is that they are incredibly thin and lightweight. They take up much less space inside a computer, and unquestionably provide a number of benefits like less heat output, increased system performance and much more.
According to Intel, the new 525 SSD crams the same performance as a standard 2.5-inch SSD into a form factor that’s only one eighth the size. To reiterate, Intel has designed a SSD drive that’s about one eighth the size of standard SSDs currently on the market, yet it offers similar performance.
The SSD 525 Series utilizes the same 25nm memory structure as their larger drives, in addition to, providing data speeds up to 6GB/s (SATA). Even better, is the fact that the 525 SSD drives include mini-SATA connectors, which ensures they are compatible with smaller size PCIe slots, and more specifically the same ones used in modern notebooks. It shouldn’t be long before these new drives make their way into newer devices.
The drives are available in various sizes including 30GB, 60GB, 90GB, 120GB, 180GB and 240GB. The 120GB and 180GB sizes are already available to purchase, and that includes availability for shipment too. Intel estimates that the rest of the models will be available by the end of this fiscal quarter.
Wait, What is so Remarkable About Smaller SSDs?
With drives this compact, we could very well see the inclusion of such technology in future tablets and smartphones. Forget owning a tablet that’s limited to 32GB of internal storage; what would you do with 240GB of storage space? Personally, I’ve always felt that modern devices are severely lacking when it comes to internal storage. Sure, there are usually external expansion options, but not always.
Doesn’t it make sense, that if you’re going to spend $400+ on a device that in many cases will replace your laptop or desktop, it should include a generous amount of storage? When you consider the requirements that are necessary to run your average android game (300MB+ per game), you begin to understand just what the benefits of compact size SSDs would be in the mobile market.
Then again, Intel hasn’t seen much success with their processors in the mobile market because many devices are being outfitted with cheaper alternatives. We could end up seeing the same pattern with their new line of SSDs too. Intel is clearly hoping to see an improvement in relations with mobile OEMs, but like anything else, only time will tell.
Source: PC World