Multi-Level Cell-Based Solid-State Drives Optimized For Notebooks

Employing proprietary media management technologies, the MACH8-MLC family are the first multi-level cell (MLC)-based NAND solid-state drives (SSDs) that are viable replacements for hard-disk drives (HDDs), according to the company. To be cost-competitive with HDDs, SSDs must use NAND technology. But MLC NAND has inherently slow write speeds and very low write/erase endurance. So the MACH8-MLC devices use a high-performance controller for superior performance and advanced ECC and flash management technology to attain the right levels of data integrity and extended life for SSD in notebook applications. The result is sustained sequential speeds of 90 Mbytes/s for reads and 60 Mbytes/s for writes. The SSDs support the SATA 2.0 and PATA interfaces. They are available in a 2.5-in. version with capacities up to 512 Gbytes and in 1.8-in. models with capacities up to 128 Gbytes. The MACH8-MLC is sampling now. Prices are $5 per Gbyte, with a decline to $2 per Gbyte expected within two years. Detailed pricing is available on request. STEC INC., Santa Ana, CA. (949) 476-1180.