Toshiba launches 512GB SSD

Toshiba announced it will soon begin sampling the "industry's first" SSD (solid state drive) with 512GB of storage. The 2.5-inch device (left) will be joined by nine other modules, all offering read speeds up to 240MB/sec. and writes up to 200MB/sec., the company says. Though Toshiba didn't discuss pricing, its bevy of new SSDs -- said to be set for mass production in the second quarter of 2009 -- could represent a long-awaited tipping point, permitting the replacement of rotating drives in mainstream mobile computers. According to the company, the SSDs use MLC (multi-level cell) NAND flash crafted via a new 43nm process, "providing a high level of performance and endurance." Most worthy of note, of course, is the "THNS512GG8BB," which, with 512GB of claimed storage, apparently doubles that provided by any previous SSD. Using a 2.5-inch form factor, with integrated SATA II interface, variations on the design are also offered in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacities.