Computex 08: SanDisk Launches New SSDs

SanDisk Corporation today introduced a line of flash memory-based solid-state drives (SSDs) that are designed for Ultra Low-Cost PCs (ULCPC) or “netbooks”. The SanDisk pSSD (Parallel ATA solid state drive) eliminates the need for a hard disk drive and can store both the operating system and application data for these new devices.

SanDisk is making the new SSD modules available in 4, 8 and 16 GB capacities, with a streaming read speed of 39 megabytes per second (MB/s)2 and a streaming write performance of 17MB/s.2 supporting both Linux and Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. SanDisk’s pSSD solid state drives, which are expected to be available, starting in August, are built using the company’s Multi-Level Cell (MLC) and Single-Level Cell (SLC) flash memory. This technology is produced at fabrication plants in Yokkaichi, Japan, where SanDisk and its partner, Toshiba Corporation, share the output. The two companies have co-developed many of the designs and technologies in NAND flash.

“We’re excited to be involved in this emerging market of ULCPCs, which take the concept of affordability into new directions – ones that are ideally suited to the multiple benefits of SanDisk’s technology,” said Rich Heye, Senior Vice President and General Manager at SanDisk’s Solid State Drives (SSD) Business Unit. “Based on consumer response to some of the first ULCPCs, these devices are quickly developing a popular following. Our new pSSDs are enablers for manufacturers to create what could become the next wave of personal and portable computing devices.”