SanDisk has released a new line of solid-state drives (SSDs) that it's flogging directly to consumers rather than manufacturers.
The Ultra SSD line has been designed to replace hard drives in older systems and thereby increase the performance, durability and lifespan of existing laptops and desktops. It uses the SATA 2.0 specification I/O interface, and can manage a read rate of up to 280MB/sec and a write rate of up to 270MB/sec.
The technology is based on multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory, has a mean time between failure (MTBF) rate of up to one million hours. Of course most people think that the MTBF is about as reliable a way of determine an SSD's longevity as counting the rings of dead coffee on my desk. SanDisk claims that replacing an existing hard drive with an SSD is more cost effective than purchasing a new computer. However it is still not nearly as cheap as a conventional hard-drive.
The drives arrive in 60GB, 120GB and 240GB capacities and will set you back $129.99, $219.99 and $449.99.
Straight to consumers
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