CES '09: Asus' 512GB SSD Laptop; World First
We had the chance to briefly talk to Asus tonight, prior to CES' full opening in the morning. One thing we learned from Asus is that the company is preparing to launch what it claims is the world's first 512 GB SSD ultra-portable.
The new laptop is dubbed the S121 and is an Atom based ultra-portable. The killer feature though, is clearly the capacity of its 512 GB SSD, which is significantly more than most mainstream SSD drives. Currently, laptops that have SSD options at the time of purchase, range from 60 GB to 128 GB--but 128 GB options are extremely expensive. However, avid users are able to find more affordable options online to upgrade their laptops after the fact.
Asus refused to reveal the manufacturer of the 512 GB SSD that's in the S121, but from what we know, Toshiba is currently the only company that has announced a 512 GB 2.5 inch SSD--which it too claimed, is a world's first.
Although we were excited, we had to ask Asus the price point of the S121. According to Asus, the new unit will be priced at $1649.
With a sweet price point, and monstrous SSD to boot, Asus is helping to push SSD drives mainstream. The key segment for SSDs to penetrate well is the mobility market. With unmatched durability and speed, laptops will embrace SSDs much more quickly than on the desktop. Hybrid SSD and HDD setups will be the mainstay for desktops for several years to come.
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nekatreven apache_livesNow if only they boasted performance like an Intel SSD...Reply
or, if only intel had a 512gb ssd...
You're basically complaining that the newest, biggest and best garbage truck doesn't drive like a Ferrari...when it wasn't designed to. It was designed to be big.
Anyway, this is more an issue of the type of flash chips used than a battle between companies' abilities. -
zodiacfml the price is not sweet, it is the exact opposite.Reply
"According to Asus, the new unit will be priced at $1649"
that price on an intel ATOM?!
i'll just get a netbook and duct tape a 2.5" external hdd on it. -
DrBlofeld mrubermonkeyManufacturing costs by components:$349 - Netbook$1300 - 512 GB SSDReply
Asus must be loosing alot of money if they charge the same price as it costs to manufacture!!!!
Do you think maybe they have some exclusive software that only works for this laptop that they use to recoup the costs?
I NEVER heard of a company selling laptops charging the same as the manufacturing costs!!!!!
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Claimintru ReplyYou're basically complaining that the newest, biggest and best garbage truck doesn't drive like a Ferrari...when it wasn't designed to. It was designed to be big.
The whole point of SSD and the reason people pay a premium = huge speed difference. Without that speed difference SSD is useless. Power consumption isn't loads different, and if you're stupid enough to be dropping a laptop/netbook you shouldn't have wasted money on them. If you're looking for capacity and high speed, it doesn't really exist short of arrays