Silicon Power Intros Thunderbolt-based SSD
This 120 GB SSD connects via Thunderbolt for fast data transfers.
Looking for a storage solution for your Thunderbolt-equipped desktop or laptop? Silicon Power has the ideal product for customers who need something fast and portable: the Thunder T11 solid state drive. The device is certified by both Intel and Apple, allowing customers to use it on a Thunderbolt-equipped Windows-based or Mac OS system.
"Thunderbolt technology can come in small palm size packages for true mobility," said Jason Ziller, Intel's Director of Thunderbolt Marketing. "We are pleased with Silicon Power's support for Thunderbolt technology and bringing Thunderbolt mobile storage to the next level for professional consumers."
Silicon Power believes that the Thunder T11 is the lightest and smallest Thunderbolt-based SSD on the market, measuring 74 x 62 x 15 mm and weighing a mere 0.1433 pounds. The drive arrives only in a 120 GB capacity, encased in a silver aluminum casing with "an incredible cooling system." And because it's based on NAND Flash, the drive should be completely noise free.
"Featuring extremely small and featherweight design, Thunder T11 is half the size of ordinary storage devices and only weighs 65g," reads the company press release. "Moreover, Thunder T11's Aluminum enclosure is designed to protect your files at a fraction of the weight but more importantly it offers an incredible cooling effect. In addition, Thunder T11 is entirely silent during the operation, which is particularly critical to users who work in a noise-sensitive environment."
Despite the theoretical 10 Gb/s connection speed, the new Thunderbolt drive has read speeds of up to 380 MB/s and write speeds of up to 340 MB/s. Other features include a bus-powered design (Thunderbolt provides the power), support for Windows 8/7/XP, support for Mac OS 10.3.x or later, a three year warranty, and certification for CE, FCC, BSMI and a few others.
The actual pricing and availability weren't provided, but typical outlets include Amazon, Newegg, Frys, PC Connection, Adorama and MicroCenter.
So for all the R&D they put into this, how does it compare price-wise to a standard SATA III SSD with better performance? It'll be interesting to see what the cost ends up being.
It should be able to push almost 1GB/s with a decent controller.
http://geizhals.de/delock-externes-gehaeuse-42490-a999568.html
...and stuff it with the meanest SSD you can find instead. 512GB 840 Pro or Evo or thereabout in equivalence and spacial need. 6Gbps should hit the limit at 768 MB/s and you get to choose the internal SSD and pick it to your IOPS needs.
Though a Tbolt enclosure should really be a Sata 12Gbps(when/if it comes out or equivalent) inside so it can use the full 10Gbps of the Thunderbolt interface. So far SAS 12Gbps exists but those disks seems way out of enthusiast money range and even forcing the issue seems infeasible compared to a regular ole SSD, not to mention the SAS12 disks wouldn't match the performance of the SSDs anyway, if the reported numbers are correct for writes.
Regarding Thunderbolt availability MSI has a €80 MB with Tbolt port on it,
http://geizhals.de/msi-z77a-g45-thunderbolt-7752-020r-a910734.html
...so they should come mainstream fast.
SSD hardly generates any heat. That's why some SSD do not even provide SMART termo data.
The hell? Thats a flop. Intel should show something good to justify and populate pcs with standart because right now it looks like sh*t infront of competitors.
obsolete out of the starting block, just like firewire.
brought to you by iTardism