SONY 2TB MemoryStick XC Is Just Insane

via Gizmodo by Danny Allen on 8/5/09

Could the MemoryStick become relevant again? While Toshiba readies its 64GB SDXC cards, Sony is prepping its very likely backwards-compatible 2TB Memory Stick XC. The implications for devices like netbooks and SSDs could be huge.

Toshiba's SDXC and Sony's MSXC both have claimed maximum transfer speeds of up to 60 megabytes per second, but the latter's 2TB capacity�developed with the help of SanDisk�is just crazy. The biggest Memory Stick PRO is 32GB. And while the PRO series uses the FAT12/16/32 file system, we now know the XC range will use the more efficient exFAT.

Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 Is World's First 2TB, 7200 RPM Hard Drive

via Gizmodo by Adrian Covert on 8/5/09

SSDs might be catching up to the trusty HDD in capacity, but this first-of-its-kind, 2-terabyte, 7200 RPM drive from Hitachi serves as a reminder that for speedy mass storage people can still afford, the old standby still remains king.

The Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000, is a 3.5-inch drive that fits inside any compatible computer or enclosure. As expected, the drive uses the SATA interface and is Energy Star-rated. Hitachi didn't reveal pricing, but said they were shipping the drive immediately. So be on the lookout.

Wi-Fi MicroSD Card

via Gizmodo by John Herrman on 7/23/09

Japanese phone king KDDI is showing off a MicroSD card with built-in Wi-Fi, sorta like those photo-uploading Eye-Fi cards everyone loves so much. Actually, they're exactlylike that, except, well, much smaller.

There's not much of a space for a product like this now, since cellphones account for most of the devices with MicroSD storage, and they generally have some kind of data connection anyway. But it's easy to imagine a (near) future where traditional SD cards are considered too bulky for smaller point-and-shoot cameras and camcorders, and a wireless MicroSD card would make sense.

Intel 34nm X25-M SATA SSD (80GB, 160GB)

via Gizmodo by John Herrman on 7/21/09

It's been about a year since Intel's quick-but-pricey Intel's X-series SSDs started the market, so it's about time for refresh. And hey, look: It's a fresh pair of 34nm X25-M drives! (Spoiler: They're almost exactly like the last ones.)

Intel's got a lengthy spiel about how performance has been improved, albeit slightly, by the new fabrication process (they claim a 25% decrease in latency and slightly higher read/write performance), but the core of this upgrade, and the main benefit of switching to 34nm, is a lower price.

Looking again to Intel's claims, there's been a 60% decrease in price for the 80GB and 160GB models compared to original launch prices, which is strictly speakingcorrect. Thing is, neither of the drives have sold for anything near their initial prices for some time now, so although the new versions, priced at around $225 for the 80GB and $440 for the 160GB, will be more affordable than their predecessors, they won't be budget drives by any means.

It's been a year, so a capacity hike would've been nice. Without that, this feels like a transitional product�a necessary manifestation of solid-state storage's slow crawl toward affordability, if not something many people will be ready to buy. Accordingly, I expect the second generation of 34nm drives to be awesome, so please, be awesome.

How Large Is a Petabyte?

via Gizmodo by Jesus Diaz on 7/8/09

InnoDisk's 128 GB NanoSSD

via�Gizmodo�by Adrian Covert on 6/9/09

The�InnoDisk NanoSSD�amazingly packs 128-gigabytes of storage into a form factor not much bigger than a matchbox. And to top it off, InnoDisk claimes the drive still reads and writes at around 150 MB/s. Wow.

As part of the testing process, InnoDisk says they test the NanoSSD by hitting it with 20 Gs of of "accelerative force" while plugged into a motherboard, and�TweakTownsays it's designed to survive this. There's been no mention of when this will be available, and I'm sure you'll have to sell a couple of your kids into slavery to afford this thing. But it totally looks worth it.

Lacie Rugged XL Reaches Up to 1TB, Down to $160

via�Gizmodo�by Mark Wilson on 4/15/09

Lacie's�Rugged�external hard drives have always looked tempting, but the price to storage ratio has never been that appealing. The new�Rugged XL�may have finally found market balance.

The�Lacie Rugged XL�offers 1TB of USB/eSATA storage, wrapped in aluminum and a large external/internal bumper, for $160. But, at least according to this lead picture, this new model (right) is huuuuuggge, even by 3.5-inch standards. Seriously, it might eat your laptop if it gets too close. [Lacie]