Update at 1:30 p.m. PDT July 3, with additional comments from Micron Technology (at bottom).
Has the image of solid state drives as power misers been shattered? A recent review would seem to dispel the notion that these devices are more power efficient than the hard disk drives used in laptops.
In an article at Tom's Hardware titled "The SSD Power Consumption Hoax", the authors state: "We have discovered that the power savings aren't there: in fact, battery runtimes actually decrease if you use a flash (solid state drive)."
(Note: Tom's Hardware has posted a correction to its original report here.)
One of the key selling points of solid state drives has been that they use less power than hard disk drives. The claim has seemed plausible because solid state drives have no moving parts, while hard disk drives have a number of moving components.
The Tom's Hardware review, however, says: "While conventional hard drives may operate at relatively low power when little movement is required...flash based drives do not. They will draw their maximum power level constantly when in use, and as a consequence, simply spend more total time drawing maximum power than conventional drives."
The review goes on to test four solid state drives (SSDs) from Crucial (Micron Technology), Memoright, Sandisk, and Mtron. For example, in evaluating the Crucial CT32GBFAB0 32GB drive, the review states, "Users who purchase this drive because of Crucial's statements such as 'low power consumption' and the product being ideal for 'users who want longer battery life' will most likely be disappointed."
Though Intel's drives were not tested in the review, the chipmaker stated Wednesday that SSDs "can be architected to improve battery life." Intel is expected to bring out drives ranging in capacity from 80GB to 160GB later this year.
... Read MoreMicron Technology announced that it is sampling 4 gigabyte (GB) memory modules based on high-speed DDR3 technology and said the memory has been validated by Intel to run on its upcoming Centrino 2 mobile processor.
Micron DDR3 memory module
(Credit: Micron)DDR3 SDRAM or double-data-rate three synchronous dynamic random access memory is expected to be faster than DDR2 SDRAM--now used widely in systems--though this will depend on the speed rating of the DDR3 memory and on what type of DDR2 memory it is tested against.
Micron's DDR3 modules support data rates of up to 1333 megabits per second, enabling better system and graphics performance. DDR3 supply voltage operates at 1.5-volts in comparison to DDR2's 1.8-volts, reducing power consumption by up to 30 percent, Micron said.
Micron said it has received Intel's validation on 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB DDR3 notebook modules for the upcoming Intel Centrino 2 processor technology mobile platform. The 4GB DDR3 notebook modules are still going through the validation process. Centrino 2 processors--formerly known by the code name "Montevina"--are due this summer.
The modules are designed using 2 gigabit (Gb) components, providing high-density DDR3 modules for notebook computers, such as those that would use the Cetrino 2 processor. High-density memory modules with large capacities are becoming increasingly important for notebook computers as graphic-intensive operating systems and other content heavy applications continue to make their way onto the market, Micron said.
DDR3 memory products that support Intel's high-performance desktop, workstation, server, and mobile platforms in 2008 are also being developed.
Micron's 512MB, 1GB and 2GB modules are in mass production now, with its 2Gb-based DDR3 4GB modules expected to be in mass production in Q2 2008.
When you hear Los Alamos National Laboratory is disabling its computers' USB ports to prevent people from toting away flash memory drives filled with classified nuclear weapons information, it's not a stretch to imagine that there might be a market for thumb drives with a bit of security.
Enter Lexar's SAFE PSD S1100, a product line announced Monday geared for use at corporate or government customer sites where there's a need to keep the lid on sensitive data.
The drives offer built-in 256-bit file encryption and a mandatory password to gain access to the data. The encryption governs the password as well as the devices' encryption keys and operating firmware, Lexar said. In addition, each system has a unique identifier and can be managed by central servers that govern device and data policies and audit usage.
Lexar, a Micron subsidiary, sells the devices in 1GB and 2GB capacities. The product is sold through value-added resellers.
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