IDF 2012: Western Digital shows off 5mm Hybrid HDD

Subject: Storage | September 12, 2012 - 02:08 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: idf, idf 2012, western digital, wdc, 5mm, hybrid hdd

At the Technology Showcase yesterday during IDF I got see in person the new Western Digital hybrid hard drives that will combine a single platter spinning disk with a NAND flash for a hybrid solution at under 5mm thick.

You can see that is barely enough z-height for a standard installation screw and this will really help get larger amounts of storage into thinner devices.  WD will have it available in 500GB and 1TB versions though the 1TB model will come in a slightly higher 7mm variety. 

The WD Blue models will be spinning disk only while the WD Black will combine as much as 32GB of flash memory but it could vary based on the specific OEM request and considerations. 

Another requirement of this new form factor is the need for a new connector, conveniently named SFF-8038, that handles both power and data. 

We are still waiting for pricing information, but another wave of hybrid technology looks to be on its way!

OCZ Vector SSD Spotted - Indilinx Barefoot 3 Controller

Subject: Storage | September 11, 2012 - 09:48 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: ocz, idf, idf 2012, vector, ssd, Indilinx, barefoot 3

While wandering around San Francisco today, I was stopped by a stranger on the corner of Market and 4th to show me something he found outside the convention hall.  It LOOKS like an SSD PCB but what do you think?

What you have here is a the internals of a new OCZ Technology SSD brand called Vector that will sit ABOVE the Vertex 4 in the product stack.  This SSD uses the as yet unreleased Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller.

The drive should be available sometime in Q4 of this year and it marks the first complete Indilinx controller design - no Marvell or other third party intellectual property to be found.

That's all we know for now but you can be sure we'll have the details as they are released!!

Western Digital Hybrid Hard Drives: 5mm 500GB Sampling

Subject: General Tech, Systems, Storage | September 10, 2012 - 05:50 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: ultrabook, ssd caching, ssd, Hard Drive

Western Digital has been sampling 5mm-thin 2.5” hard drives designed for Ultrabooks. They have currently announced partnerships with Acer and ASUS to include these drives in future ultrathin laptops. Western Digital has currently only listed capacities of 500GB for the spindle portion of the drive but no word how much MLC flash will be included to cache most used files. The product will be discussed during the company’s investor day on the 13th of this month.

At this stage SSDs are pretty much the missing link to a fast and responsive computer.

Prices have dropped to under one dollar per gigabyte ($1/GB) a few months ago with some models reaching 70c/GB – and those are the good ones too. The massive drop in price is still about an order of magnitude more expensive than spindle hard drives and consumers are using whatever space they can get. Several solutions exist to balance the speed of SSDs with the storage effectiveness of HDDs.

One solution is to include both in a single drive and keep the most used data in the SSD cache. Western Digital has just released samples of 5mm-thin hybrid hard drives for OEMs to put in extremely thin laptops.

I wonder if they're feeling chip-er...

Users who purchase laptops often have the mistaken assumption that a faster processor directly leads to increased response. That is certainly the case when comparing an Intel Atom to an i5 – but an i3 will probably spend just as much time idle and awaiting instructions from the hard drive as an i5 would.

Western Digital has not broken the SSD market despite their long success with spindle storage. It makes sense that Western Digital will push into the market with the starting point from which they are most comfortable. Western Digital has been shipping SSDs for over two-and-a-half years at this point but never really gained any traction.

It looks like Western Digital is realizing that they need to mix SSDs with what they know best and do something innovative to get a unique hook in the market – buying just a little more time.

The drive which has been announced today will contain a storage capacity of 500GB with an undisclosed amount of MLC NAND flash memory caching the most used data. The hook to differentiate themselves from other hybrid hard drives is its size: 5mm compared to the more common 9.5mm.

The Ultrabook market could be a lucrative wave to ride for the time being and give them even more capital to invest future SSDs. Hopefully they will not wait for solid state storage to creep up on them twice. Fool you once…

Western Digital is expected to discuss and showcase this product more at their Western Digital Investor Day on this Thursday, September 13th, 2012.

Corsair's newest SSD is the bomb!

Subject: Storage | September 7, 2012 - 08:24 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: LAMD, Amber, corsair, neutron

The new kid in the SSD controller wars is LAMD, or Link_A_Media which is paired with 256GB of IMFT 25nm NAND in the new Corsair Neutron SSD.  [H]ard|OCP loved what they saw, the lowest recorded latency in their max read tests and their max write tests.  This great result may not shock those of you who have encountered LAMD in the past, they have provided enterprise class products for a long time now, they are only new to the consumer/enthusiast market.  Check out the next great SSD controller on the market, which will hopefully drive Indilinx, Intel and Sandforce to better their upcoming controllers.

"Corsair innovates as the first company to market a consumer LAMD controlled SSD. While the Corsair line currently utilizes both of the highest performing controllers on the market, the new LAMD controller has generated more than its fair share of interest, so we take a look and see how the newest entrant to the SSD realm fares."

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• Crucial V4 256GB SSD Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Corsair Force GT 240GB @ Tweaktown
• Corsair Neutron 240GB and Neutron GTX 240GB @ Kitguru
• Silicon Power Velox V70 240GB @ SSD Review
• ADATA SX300 128GB mSATA SSD Review - LSI SandForce Performance In Top Capacities @ SSD Review
• OCZ Agility 4 @ AnandTech
• Samsung 830 256GB SSD Review @ HCW
• Crucial V4 256GB SSD Review - All Is Not SATA 3 Just Yet @ SSD Review
• OCZ Agility 4 256 GB SSD @ Hardware.Info
• Plextor M5 Pro SSD @ XSReviews
• Plextor M5 Pro (256GB) @ AnandTech
• SuperSSpeed S302 Hyper Gold MLC 240GB SSD @ Tweaktown
• VisionTek Racer Series 120GB @ Tweaktown
• Mushkin Catalyst Cache 50GB SSD @ Bjorn 3D
• Corsair Force GS 240GB SSD Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB @ Tweaktown
• Crucial v4 256GB vs. OCZ Agility 4 256GB SSD Shootout @ Techspot
• OCZ Agility 4 256GB Review @ OCC
• ZXT Aperture M 5.25" USB 3.0 Card Reader @ TechwareLabs
• Adaptec Series 7 Enterprise RAID Controllers with PCIe 3.0 @ Tweaktown
• Kingston DataTraveler Locker+ G2 USB Drive Review @ OCC
• Patriot 32GB Class 10 EP Pro SDHC @ Neoseeker
• Vantec NexStar MX Enclosure Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Thermaltake BlacX 5G HDD Docking Station Review @ eTeknix
• Buffalo TeraStation Pro Duo WSS review - NAS with Windows Storage Server @ Hardware.info
• Kingston 64GB Wi-Drive @ SSD News
• D-Link ShareCenter Quattro DNS-345 @ Hardware.info
• Convar BytePac Eco-Friendly Paper Hard Drive Enclosure Review @ Legit Reviews
• Icy Dock Convenient SSD/HDD Conversion Kits @ Pro-Clockers
• Patriot Supersonic 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review - Updated @ PCSTATS
• RAIDON Runner R2420-B3 Easy Ejection 2.5" SSD/HDD RAID Enclosure Review @ NikKTech
• Fractal Design Array R2 mini-ITX NAS Chassis Review @ Techgage
• Patriot EP Pro SDHC UHS-1 32GB @ Guru of 3D
• ADATA Nobility NH13 750GB External Hard Drive Review @ TechwareLabs
• Thermaltake BlacX 5G SATA/USB Docking Station @ Benchmark Reviews
• LaCie 4big Rack Office review: deluxe storage rack for the office? @ Hardware.info
• Synology DiskStation DS413j NAS Review @ HardwareHeaven
• Promise Pegasus J2 Review: The Smallest High Performance Thunderbolt Drive @ AnandTech
• Icy Dock MB994IPO-3SB Slim ODD + 2x 2.5" HDD Multi Bay Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Synology DS213 and DS213+ NAS review: the same but different @ Hardware.info

Deal for September 4th - Plextor 256GB SSD for $195

Subject: General Tech, Storage | September 4, 2012 - 06:11 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: ssd, plextor, deal of the day

Today's deal comes from TigerDirect and will allow you jump on the SSD bandwagon for a more than reasonable price.  How does a 256GB Plextor M5 series SSD for just $195 with free shipping sound? 

Western Digital Releases 2TB Thunderbolt-connected My Book VelociRaptor Duo

Subject: Storage | August 30, 2012 - 10:49 PM | Allyn Malventano
Tagged: western digital, WD, VelociRaptor, my book, duo

We took a look at the 1TB VelociRaptor back in April. Well now Western Digital went and stuck a pair of them into an oversized My Book chassis, connected it via Thunderbolt, and voala:

This is a nice little external storage device that can be configured as a RAID 0 or 1. My Book Duos can even be daisychained to support RAID 10! Daisychaining allows up to four My Book Duos to be connected simultaneously. The price is a bit steep, but seems to be in-line with other Thunderbolt enabled products. More to follow once we get a sample in for review!

Deals for August 28th - Kingston SSDNow V+200 120GB SSD for $70

Subject: Editorial, Storage | August 28, 2012 - 05:40 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: ssd, kingston, deal of the day

Top Deal

120GB Kingston SSDNow V+200 SATA 6Gb/s SSD for $70 (normally $90).

Cheaper and cheaper SSDs continue to find their way to our deals pages!!

Laptops

Rare $150 coupon code gives lowest price ever on Core i7 model of Inspiron 17R Special Edition

17.3" Dell Inspiron 17R Special Edition Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz Quad-core Ivy Bridge Laptop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 1GB GeForce GT 650M & 1080p LCD for $950 with free shipping (normally $1,139 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

15.4" Apple MacBook Pro (MC975LL/A) Core i7 2.3GHz Quad-core Laptop w/8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina Display & 1GB GeForce GT 650M for $2,150 with free shipping (normally $2,199).

Lowest price we've seen on this Inspiron 14z Core i3 Laptop bundle

14" Dell Inspiron 14z Core i3-2350M 2.3GHz Dual-core thin & light Aluminum-body Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD & Adobe Elements 9 Bundle for $430 with free shipping (normally $600 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

14" Samsung Series 5 (NP530U4B-A01US) Core i5-2467M 1.6GHz Dual-core Ultrabook (Refurbished) w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD + 16GB Express Cache for $675 (normally $900).

11.6" ASUS Zenbook UX21E-DH52 Core i5-2467M 1.6GHz Dual-core Ultrabook w/4GB RAM, 128GB SSD for $904 with free shipping (normally $1000 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

Desktops

23" Dell Inspiron One 2330 Core i7-3770s 3.1GHz Quad-core 1080p All-in-one PC w/8GB RAM, 2TB HDD for $1,000 with free shipping (normally $1,200).

HP Pavilion p7-1380t Core i5-2320 3GHz Quad-core Desktop w/6GB RAM, 1TB HDD for $480 with free shipping (normally $650 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

Dell Optiplex 990 Core i5-2500 3.3GHz Quad-core Desktop w/4GB RAM, 250GB SATA III HDD, Windows 7 Professional & $100 Gift card for $669 with free shipping (normally $1,199 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

20" Dell Inspiron One 2020 Core i3 All-in-one PC w/6GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Bundle for $600 with free shipping (normally $750 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

Monitors

27" HP ZR2740w 2560 x 1440 LED-Backlit IPS Monitor for $690 (normally $730).

27" I-Inc IL272DPB 1080p 2ms LED-backlit LCD Monitor for $200 (normally $300).

24" Viewsonic VX2450wm-LED 1080p LED-Backlit Monitor for $180 with free shipping (normally $220).

Tablets

10.1" ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime 32GB Android 4.0 Quad-Core Tablet (pre-owned) for $290 with free shipping (normally $350 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

7" Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 8GB Android 4.0 Tablet + $50 Gift Card for $250 with free shipping (normally $300).

Peripherals

500GB Lenovo F360 Portable USB 2.0 Hard Drive (Black) for $66 with free shipping (noramlly $99 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

256GB Crucial M4 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s 7mm Internal SSD (CT256M4SSD1) for $209 with free shipping (normally $220).

120GB OCZ Vertex 3 2.5" SATA III Internal SSD (VTX3-25SAT3-120G) for $100 (normally $139).

120GB Kingston SSDNow V+200 SATA 6Gb/s SSD for $70 (normally $90).

64GB CentonDataStick Waterproof USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $30 (normally $40)

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB GDDR5 Video Card for $300 (normally $320>).

Dell WM311 3-Button Wireless Mouse (Glossy Tomato Red) for $20 with free shipping (normally $30).

Konica Minolta Magicolor 3730DN Laser Printer for $199 with free shipping (normally $399).

HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color Printer (M451dn) for $380 with free shipping (normally $500 - use coupon code 20LOGICBUY).

Home Entertainment:

73" Mitsubishi WD-73C12 73" 1080p 3D DLP HDTV w/2 Year Warranty for $1,000 with free shipping (normally $1,400).

60" LG 60PA5500 1080p Plasma HDTV for $900 with free shipping (normally $1,100).

55" TCL LE55FHDF3300 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV for $700with free shipping (normally $800 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

55" Samsung UN55EH6070 3D 240Hz 1080p LED HDTV + Blu-ray Player Bundle for $1,200 with free shipping (normally $1,500 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

50" LG 50PA5500 1080p Plasma HDTV for $600 with free shipping (normally $1,000).

47" LG 47LS4600 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV for $700 with free shipping (normally $850).

40" Samsung LN40E550 1080p LCD HDTV for $428 with free shipping (normally $500)

Harman Kardon HKTS 60BQ 5.1 Home Theater System + Yamaha 5.1-Channel Receiver for $699.99 (normally $800 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Integrated Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray Player for $113 with free shipping (normally $139).

Personal Portables & Peripherals:

16MP Nikon Coolpix S9300 Red Digital Camera for $240 with free shipping (normally $279 - use coupon code on LogicBuy).

Sony MHSTS10/B Bloggie Touch Camcorder w/ Sony Softcase and HDMI Cable for $80 with free shipping (normally $100).

14MP Olympus Tough TG-320 Digital Camera Bundle for $131 with free shipping (normally $159).

Miscellaneous:

Logitech Harmony 1100 Infrared Universal Remote for $244 with free shipping (normally $300 - use coupon code USMEDALS.

Ultrasone HFI-580 S-Logic Surround Sound Headphones + $2 MP3 Credit for $120 with free shipping (normally $150).

Synology refreshes DiskStation line with DS213 and DS213+

Subject: Storage | August 28, 2012 - 09:45 AM | Allyn Malventano
Tagged: synology, NAS, diskstation

Today Synology launched an updated revision to their DS212 and DS212+. We looked at the DiskStation 212+ as part of our ioSafe review.

The new DS213 models boast further improvements to their predecessors:

DS213+ Hardware Highlights

• Dual-core
• Floating-point to greatly accelerate decoding and encoding

DS213 Hardware Highlights

• Equipped with SD slot
• 2 USB 3.0 slots

Business Usage:

• Support for backups from Windows® and Mac OS X clients
• Centralized file sharing using common network protocols
• ACL support for granular, file-level control
• ADS support up to 100,000 users and groups
• Granular notification system via email, SMS, and push
• Antivirus package

Pricing:

DS213 $299 and DS213+ $369 respectively.

Press blast after the break.