Flash storage maker SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) announced a new line of solid-state disks (SSD) for consumer markets aimed at providing high-speed, high-performance replacements for users systems’ existing hard-disk drives (HDD).
In a statement the company described its new SanDisk Ultra line of SSDs as “a convenient drop-in solution for technology enthusiasts looking to upgrade their own PCs for an enhanced user experience.”
“The new SSD can extend the life of desktop and notebook PCs, and offers greater performance, durability, and power efficiency than a hard-disk drive,” the statement said.
SanDisk claims the SATA II-based Ultra features up to 280 MB per second sequential read speeds, and 270 MB per second sequential write speeds, with up to 3 gigabits per second random transfer speeds for faster system boots and accelerated application loads.
According to SanDisk, the Ultra SSD also boasts higher energy efficiency which helps the drives achieve longer battery life, as well as lower noise levels than comparable HDDs since it has no moving parts.
SanDisk also claims a mean time before failure (MTBF) for the Ultra of up to 1,000,000 hours, a rate claimed by many industrial quality SDDs.
SanDisk is offering the Ultra in three different sizes and price points. The smallest SDD is 60 MB and costs $129.99, while the largest Ultra provides 240 GB of usable capacity and lists at $449.99.
In the middle, SanDisk offers a 120 GB model that costs $219.99.
“Replacing a computer’s hard disk drive with the SanDisk Ultra SSD is more cost effective than buying a new PC,” Kent Perry, director of product marketing at SanDisk, said in a company statement. “Our new SSD delivers greater speed and reliability than a hard disk drive at an affordable price,” he added.
U.S. customers can order the SanDisk Ultra from online retailers.
Stuart J. Johnston is a contributing editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @stuartj1000.