Dell launches solid-state drives
Dell is now offering two 32GB solid-state drives for the ultra-mobile and semi-rugged markets. News of the release of the two drives first emerged last month.
Based on SanDisk's technology, the solid-state drives (SSDs) will at first be offered on the Latitude D420 ultra-mobile and D620 ATG semi-rugged notebook. The company maintains it is one of the first to offer a flash-based drive as an alternative to hard disk drives on corporate notebooks. "A solid-state drive is an excellent storage technology for our mobile users," said Eric Greffier, director of client products, Dell Europe.
The company believes that the technology will be especially useful in the semi-rugged environment, as flash drives are more resistant than standard memory to tough treatment. Dell says that engineering tests show that the SSD "has an operating shock-tolerance of up to 1,300Gs, [or] twice the rating of mechanical drives".
There has been much debate on the future of disk drives. Flash and SSDs have begun to compete more effectively thanks to higher capacities. On Sunday, US financial magazine Barron's claimed that, despite talk to the contrary, the disk drive was alive and well, and that reports that it would soon be replaced by flash memory were greatly premature.
Dell's drives are available in a customised configuration for £295.