Hitachi-LG Debuts 2nd Generation SSD/ODD Hybrid Drive
We know things innovate quickly these days. Really quickly. In the CPU world, a new processor barely stays "new" for six months now, and the same is true in the GPU world. There's a saying that explains how your "new" PC is probably old by the time it actually gets to your doorstop, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Life's short, we might as well enjoy the innovation while we can!
Hitachi-LG introduced a unique new product a few months back at the Computex trade show in Taiwan, and already a second generation version is being introduced. Hitachi-LG Data Storage, known as HLDS, has revealed the AT 6.0Gbps based 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive,' which is the follow-up drive to the product shown in May. This is still an SSD-based unit that slots into an optical drive unit, but it operates on a much faster interface. SATA 6Gbps is vastly more quick than SATA 3Gbps, and when you're dealing with HDD data transfers and Blu-ray Discs, you need the headroom.
This is simply a product introduction, with no hard release date, capacities or prices to share. But hopefully these units will become integrated into shipping systems soon. This could definitely revolutionize the netbook; up until now, there has been no effective way to add an ODD and an SSD to a 10.1" netbook without adding to the bulk or price. Maybe by the holidays? We can hope.
Hitachi-LG introduced a unique new product a few months back at the Computex trade show in Taiwan, and already a second generation version is being introduced. Hitachi-LG Data Storage, known as HLDS, has revealed the AT 6.0Gbps based 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive,' which is the follow-up drive to the product shown in May. This is still an SSD-based unit that slots into an optical drive unit, but it operates on a much faster interface. SATA 6Gbps is vastly more quick than SATA 3Gbps, and when you're dealing with HDD data transfers and Blu-ray Discs, you need the headroom.
This is simply a product introduction, with no hard release date, capacities or prices to share. But hopefully these units will become integrated into shipping systems soon. This could definitely revolutionize the netbook; up until now, there has been no effective way to add an ODD and an SSD to a 10.1" netbook without adding to the bulk or price. Maybe by the holidays? We can hope.
HLDS to Launch World's First SSD Embedded Optical Disc Drive 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive'
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc. (HLDS), a global leader and technology innovator in optical disc storage(ODD) revealed to introduce SAT 6.0Gbps based 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive,' as a successive product to ODD Hybrid Drive 1st Generation introduced in Taiwan last June which was loaded with SSD(Solid State Drive) for the first time in the world, at CEATEC 2010 held in Makuhari Messe, Japan, from October 5 to 9.
The 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive,' is an innovative product equipped with SATA III(6.0Gbps) based improved speed, and a comprehensive SATA port, by accumulating ODD & SSD circuits in a integrated PCB. This is a perfect reincarnation of the previous ODD structure, and users of all PC products can utilize HDD, ODD, SDD at the same time without having to change the entire system, by just exchanging the previous ODD.
Differentiated functions have been added to the Hybrid Drive such as the Green Playback; a low electricity- Title playing technology, and a comparison of real functions between Hybrid Drive applied products and non applied products of AIO(All-in-one) PC, Mini PC, HTPC, Gaming/Premium Notebook, will be introduced at this CEATEC 2010.
PC News Media K-Bench(www.kbench.com) and Editor of Betanews(www.betanews.net), who recently progressed Benchmark of the 1st Generation Hybrid Drive, foresaw that 256 GB supported 2nd Generation, 'Hybrid Drive,' will play big roles in the distribution of SSD, as SSD will be seen as a tool for driving OS & Application through Hybrid Drive, such as for decreasing PC Booting time and Performance increase, no longer as just a simple saving apparatus.
"We are very excited about the potential of this ground-breaking product. Once Hybrid Drive is loaded in all PC products including AIO, Mini PC, and Notebook, a new solution will be provided for user classes who were previously unsure of purchasing SSD. And Hybrid Drive also enables a smaller PC foot print (under 12" tablet PCs such as the Ultra Mobile PC, for example) by removing the HDD or SSD from the motherboard and just having Hybrid Drive with SSD as its primary storage," stated HLDS Chief Marketing Officer YK Park.
Meanwhile, HLDS has formed a strong cooperative Partnership with PC Platform, NAND, PC manufacturers, such as AMD, MICRON, MONEUAL, SHUTTLE, AVERATEC, etc, for a successful market release of Hybrid Drive, and as a result, AVERATEC All-in-one PC, SHUTTLE Slim PC, MONEUAL HTPC loaded with Hybrid Drive is to be introduced through the HLDS booth at CEATEC 2010, also the field for experiencing real differences between Hybrid Drive loaded products and non loaded products opened for Premium Notebook as well.
"Micron's leadership in NAND flash memory design continues to spark new application uses for the technology, such as with the HLDS Hybrid Drive," said Kevin Kilbuck, director of segment marketing in Micron's NAND Solutions Group. "HLDS is using Micron's industry-leading 8-gigabyte, 25-nanometer NAND flash devices in their Hybrid Drive. These devices are small enough to fit through the hole in the middle of an optical disc - ironically, a disc that could even be used in their new Hybrid Drive."
"AMD's latest 8-series chipsets have both the required hardware and driver support for HyDrive, including SATA port multiplier support, which enables combined optical and solid state functionality in the HLDS HyDrive," said AMD's Niles Burbank, Senior Product Manager for AMD's Platform Solutions.
