Embedded SSD in Next Macbook Air?

[Capt Underpants]

Sandisk just introduced some postage stamp sized embedded SSD's. Seems like something Apple would be all over for a future MBA.

Linky

Excerpt from Press Release:

“The ultra-thin tablet and mobile computer markets are expected to experience tremendous growth over the coming years, and new advanced platforms will introduce new requirements for storage solutions,” said Jeff Janukowicz, research manager, solid state drives, IDC. “New embedded SSDs such as the SanDisk iSSD drive, which meet the stringent size requirements of small and light devices while offering greater performance, are designed to enable OEMs to deliver an enhanced user experience in their next-generation designs."

 

[Adidas Addict]

Sandisk just introduced some postage stamp sized embedded SSD's. Seems like something Apple would be all over for a future MBA.

Linky

Excerpt from Press Release:

“The ultra-thin tablet and mobile computer markets are expected to experience tremendous growth over the coming years, and new advanced platforms will introduce new requirements for storage solutions,” said Jeff Janukowicz, research manager, solid state drives, IDC. “New embedded SSDs such as the SanDisk iSSD drive, which meet the stringent size requirements of small and light devices while offering greater performance, are designed to enable OEMs to deliver an enhanced user experience in their next-generation designs."

I doubt it with the largest being 64BG.

 

[Capt Underpants]

I doubt it with the largest being 64BG.

In a year, when they've doubled the capacity, I could certainly see Apple going this direction for the air.

It saves them ever-so-precious space for their thinnest notebook.

Apple already solders on the RAM. Why not the disk drive?

 

[Spacekatgal]

In a year, when they've doubled the capacity, I could certainly see Apple going this direction for the air.

It saves them ever-so-precious space for their thinnest notebook.

Apple already solders on the RAM. Why not the disk drive?

Capacity is not this issue. The fact that SSDs wear out relatively quickly is. For a MLC, you can write to each Nand cache 20,000 times. In an SLC, this is greatly improved, but it does still wear out. SLCs are astronomically more expensive as well.

Would Apple make a MBA where the hard drive would be unusable after 2-5 years and soldered onto the logic board? I don't think so.

 

[LAS.mac]

Maybe there is a connecting way that avoids soldering. So a replacement would be possible after a while.

 

[Capt Underpants]

Maybe there is a connecting way that avoids soldering. So a replacement would be possible after a while.

Or flash technology will improve to the point where the lifespan is 10+ years of regular use, in which case the longevity argument would be moot.

I see Apple jumping on this bandwagon for the air. It's not about upgradability or expandability; just thin and light.

 

[jdechko]

I doubt it with the largest being 64BG.

So Apple could put 2 (or more) of them in RAID 0 and you'd have 128gb+.

160MB/sec read and 100MB/sec write aren't anything to write home about (about as fast as the Runcore), but I suppose in RAID 0 they'd scale up pretty well so the performance would be much better.

 

[Scottsdale]

What I have thought for the last year is it would behoove Apple to use 32 or 64 GB NAND Flash on the board for OS and system apps. Then people wouldn't need an SSD to get the speed available as the most benefit is to the OS and then apps. Files don't benefit nearly as much, but then as SSD costs drop, it becomes less likely that Apple would do this.

A year ago, it made all the sense in the world. Now, I guess so. In another year, we're all better off with SSDs that are lower cost and offer 256 or 512 GB of drive space standard. The SSD is a better long term solution and has less data loss and errors too.

 

[mangrove]

What I have thought for the last year is it would behoove Apple to use 32 or 64 GB NAND Flash on the board for OS and system apps.

This is along the lines of what has been my thought after reading a lot and try to absorb some of Lloyd's Mac Performance Guide.

I just ordered the OWC 40GB SSD ($99), models of which seem great for non-Air use, to see if I can squeeze OSX and Apps on it for a Mini's first drive on a dual drive setup. It seems the OWC SSD configuration holds up fairly well versus many other SSD's. Let's hope so.

 

[Capt Underpants]

I doubt it with the largest being 64GB.

Hindsight is 20/20, eh?

Apple didn't go embedded with the air, but it's pretty damn close.