SanDisk unveils Ultra SSD range for notebooks and desktops

SanDisk has launched a new range of solid-state drives, which the company is specifically marketing as a cost effective solution for users on a budget who would be better off upgrading their current machine than purchasing a new one. The SanDisk Ultra SSD family is available in 60GB, 120GB and 240GB sizes with MSRPs of $130, $220 and $450, respectively.

With those prices SanDisk isn't really breaking any affordability records, but Newegg.com is already selling the 120GB variant some $40 cheaper than its suggested retail price, making it a more competitive alternative next to the likes of OCZ's last-generation Vertex 2 and Agility 2. In terms of performance SanDisk promises 280MB/s reads coupled with 270MB/s write speeds over the SATA II (3Gbps) interface.

The Ultra SSD is based on multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory and has a mean time between failure (MTBF) rate of up to one million hours. SanDisk is also touting the drive's low power consumption, though they didn't share any specifics, nor do they mention which SSD controller is powering these devices.

In any case, although the Ultra SSD is certainly not the fastest solid-state drive out there and it doesn't carry the latest SATA III (6Gbps) interface, it could be worthy contender in the budget segment if SanDisk can keep the prices down.

SanDisk and Toshiba announce 19nm NAND flash memory

Just last week IM Flash Technologies -- a joint venture between Intel and Micron Technology -- announced a new 20nm NAND memory chip manufacturing process touted as the smallest most advanced yet. But as it is common in the tech industry these titles never last too long. Case in point: Toshiba and SanDisk have announced plans to begin sampling NAND flash memory chips manufactured using a 19nm process technology before the end of this month.

The first product to be made on the 19nm process will be a 64Gbit (8GB) multi-level cell (2-bits-per-cell) flash memory chip, with high-volume production planned for the second half of 2011. At that time, SanDisk will also add 3-bits-per-cell products fabricated with the 19nm process technology to its lineup, according to the press release.

"We are excited to introduce the world's smallest and lowest-cost NAND flash chips based on industry-leading 19nm process technology in our ongoing collaboration with our manufacturing partner Toshiba," said Yoram Cedar, executive vice president and chief technology officer, SanDisk. "Products based on this technology are designed to enable new applications, form factors and consumer experience that will continue to drive the flash industry to new heights."

The companies said the smaller process would allow device makers to squeeze more storage in less space. There's no mention of the chip's actual dimensions besides citing the prospect of stacking a batch of 16 to deliver 128GB modules for use in mobile phones, tablet computers and other devices. The 19nm NAND chips are equipped with Toggle DDR2.0 to enhance data transfer speed, and use an All-Bit-Line architecture with proprietary programming algorithms and multi-level data storage management that will allegedly uphold performance and reliability.