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SSD storage is still far from mainstream, but with more and more companies beginning to offer an option it will eventually become a little more popular and hopefully become a lot more reasonably priced.

HP has recently added a 64GB solid-state-drive option on their 2710p Tablet PC. Similar to the other options out with SSD installed the price seems to be a barrier for a good amount of people. To have the 64GB SSD installed in the 2710p you have to be willing to part with an additional $919. Of course with time it will come down, while its expensive its still very nice to see it being offered. In addition to the optional 64GB SSD, the 2710p Tablet also has an option for an 80GB 4200rpm drive for $60 or a 100GB 4200rpm drive for $120.

Via [jkOnTheRun]

HP has announced an update to their ultra-slim line of desktops, now offering the option to include SSD storage. The Compaq DC7800 is currently available and pricing begins at just $729, however the optional 16GB SSD will run you an extra $328, which is almost half the price of the computer itself. The DC7800 comes standard with a 80GB 7200 rpm hard drive with an additional option to add a 160GB 7200 rpm hard drive for an additional $16.

While SSD storage seems like a nice option, at this point I would be more willing to spend the extra money if I were purchasing a laptop. Is SSD storage on a desktop really worth the premium price that it currently demands?

Product [HP] Read [CNET]

Sandisk has announced that it’ll be releasing a 32 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) in a 1.8” form factor sometime within the first half of 2007. It’s initially targeted at enterprise and mobile users, with the end target being mass adoption.

With the current advances of flash technology, it looks like in the not too distant future it’ll be the standard for storage in personal computers, replacing mechanical hard-drives. The important benefits of SSD’s over mechanical drives that Sandisk mentioned include:

• Fewer moving parts, meaning less chance of damage and longer lifetime


• Faster access rates than mechanical drives


• Less power consumption, meaning more battery life (especially important for mobile users)

Of course, at the moment, price is still the main issue preventing SSD’s from taking over the market straight out. The 32 GB drive that Sandisk announced is expected to increase the price of a notebook by up to $600, which is a hefty amount compared to prices of regular mechanical hard-drives these days. As SSD’s get more popular and become more widespread and prices decrease in a few years, it’s safe to say that they’ll be the future of PC storage.

We are very excited to see what this can do for Windows Vista!

Read [BusinessWire]
Product Page [Sandisk]