Netbook SSD’s get standard connection

[Chris]

One of the primary reasons why the solid state drive adoption rate has been so slow with netbook manufacturers and consumers alike is not only because of the relatively low performance increases, but another crucial aspect - no previous set standard. Just look at the recently released options from Active Media that are available on Amazon.com: Each [...]

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It'll be a while before the new standard reaches the consumer.

I'm sort of not in the mood for upgrades on the variety of connectors out there right now. Tried it. Didn't like it.

Upgrade areas are limited in the netbook. Up the RAM. Swap out the HDD/SSD storage. Change the sleeve. Add a CD/DVD burner.

I've now got a useless 1GB RAM module, an original but now useless SSD without any exterior connection possibilities, a throw away sleeve and a separate burner with wires to carry. Easy to spend another $200-$300 dollars on a sub-$400 computer. More if you add a SLC 2.5in HDD.

At least the 2.5in SATA HDD already has standard connections with external boxes available. They're available on the 10in models but not those with miniPCIe connections.

A more graphics capable netbook? What do you do with the old limited one? The money for the old and the new could have bought you a graphics capable notebook in the first place.

I'm sitting tight and probably won't look at new until 2Q '10 and won't consider buying until 3Q '10.

In the meantime, I'm really liking my Asus 901. The 16GB SSD is fast enough and works well with a wallet of SD cards. It runs XPP and a lot of special purpose software. Good carry size. Target is selling the 900 (I believe that is the model) at a good price.

The big question is where is the netbook focus?

[ThisIsNot]

It is nice that netbooks are finally getting a standard aside from using mini-PCIe slots for everything. My HP netbook is using a mini-PCIe slot for the built-in SSD drive, the Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator, and the Broadcom G wi-fi antenna. There is still one additional mini-PCIe slot that is not being used.

However, this really won't affect consumers until the next round of netbook updates. Motherboards that are Aton N270/N280+GMA950, Atom N270/N280+Nvidia ION, and the next platform from Intel won't feature this standard. Those models are already in production and this standard wasn't made in time. Give the companies until Q1 2010 before we start seeing models that use this, maybe Q2 2010. Kind of a shame that someone would come out with a standard now instead of releasing it back in late 2008 when it would affect netbooks now. That would allow other manufacturers to make external enclosures for SSD drives so that people don't have 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB SSDs just sitting around collecting dust.