Zalman to Make Its Own Line of SSD Drives
We received a tip from Zalman HQ today that the company will make a formal entry into the solid state drive market, adding to its current line of PC-related products including power supplies, case fans, hard drive docking stations and more.
The new line will consist of the S Series and N Series, both featuring a 2.5-inch form factor and billed as shock-proof, vibration-proof, energy efficient and literally noise free. The drives will also utilize an anodized brushed aluminum housing for improved heat dissipation and weight.
According to the company, the S Series will be optimized for AHCI Mode, support Windows 7 TRIM command and use JMicron controllers. The series will consist of three capacities--32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB--with sequential read speeds up to 260 MB/s. Additionally, the 32 GB model will have write speeds up to 60 MB/s, up to 120 MB/s for the 64 GB model, and up to 210 MB/s for the 128 GB model.
The N Series will only comprise of two capacities--64 GB and 128 GB, both of which offer up to 280 MB/s sequential read speeds and up to 270 MB/s write speeds. Like the S Series, the N Series will be optimized for AHCI Mode and also support TRIM, however this particular line will utilize SandForce controllers instead--which so happens to be the particular controller that rules the SSD roosts at the moment.
Although Zalman didn't provide a release date, the pricing is as follows:
S Series
- SSD0032S1 - 32GB - $99.99
- SSD0064S1 - 64GB - $149.99
- SSD0128S1 - 128GB - $249.99
N Series
- SSD0064N1 - 64GB - $169.99
- SSD0128N1 - 128GB - $289.99
More information as it comes.
Now the N-series, those look pretty good, and with minimal price increase over the slower S-series.
shouldn't Sandforce controller model be "S" while J-Micron be called "J" or even "N"?
You said exactly what i wanted to say.... +10 thumbs
I'd like a mix of SSD and Spinning disk (I get this on my thinkpad, but need to use two 2.5 inch drives to get it). Seagate is playing with drives that combine SSDs and spinning. So far, maybe3 not a winner. But much better than "head up their... "
The Seagate® Momentus® XT drive is a solid state hybrid with Adaptive Memory™ technology, enabling the drive to deliver SSD-like performance along with higher capacity.
But anyway, bravo again Zalman, even if you dont have the best line of SSD's out there, the extra competition should benefit us all.
$289 for the 128GB is way too expensive to compete with OCZ, Mushkin, even Corsair.
I'm always confused when a company puts out a product that is nearly identical to other products at a heavy markup and 6 months late. Western Digital did this with their SSD drives also I believe.
If you're going to make a play, go all in or go home IMO.
*I make no claims to build quality or warranty, I have no idea if Zalman outpaces the other companies in these fields.