Intel releases miniature 80GB SSD

Intel has released a solid-state drive that's one-eighth the size of its current 2.5-in. consumer model but that can still hold up to 80GB of data.

Intel's new 310 Series drive offers similar performance on data reads to its X25-M SSD for consumers , but it is in a form factor better suited for dual-drive notebooks and tablets, the company said.

When paired with a high-capacity hard disk drive (HDD) in a dual-drive system, the Intel SSD 310 can improve overall PC system performance by as much as 60%.

The SSD 310 is also ideal for tablets and rugged, low-power military or industrial embedded applications. Lenovo said it plans to use the drive in its upcoming line of dual-drive ThinkPads. The drive was recently selected by DRS Technologies for its upcoming ARMOR tablet PC, which is designed to function in extreme temperatures and hold up to shock, vibration and drops.

“The Intel SSD 310 Series is the first in a wave of SSD products we will introduce throughout the next year,” Tom Rampone, general manager of Intel's NAND Solutions Group, said in a statement. “With this introduction, Intel is offering full SSD performance in a compact, ultra-small form factor.”

The new SSD weighs 10 grams and measures 51mm by 30mm (2 inches by 1.18 inches) and is only 5mm (.19 inches) thick.

The SSD comes in 40GB and 80GB capacities. The 40GB model has a sustained read/write rate of 170MB/sec. and 35MB/sec., respectively. The 80GB model has a sustained read/write rate of 200MB/sec. and 70MB/sec., respectively. With regard to random read/write, using 4KB blocks, the SSD can achieve up to 35,000 input/outputs per second (IOPS) and 6,600 IOPS, respectively.

The drive also sips power, using only 150 milliwatts when active and 75 milliwatts while in idle mode.

The SSD 310 supports the serial ATA (SATA) data transfer protocol over a PCI Express (PCIe) mini-connector for onboard, compact storage in single-drive netbooks , tablets or handheld devices.