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With PC vendors focusing on Ultrabooks these days, the market for cache SSDs is expected to explode in the near future. Joining the cache SSD fray is the Crucial m4 mSATA SSD. Actually, it can not only serve as a cache SSD, but can also be used as a primary storage solution.
Aimed at ultrathin laptops and available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage capacities, the Crucial m4 mSATA SSD is one-eighth the size of a full-size m4. The 3cm x 5cm (1.2-inch x 2-inch) drive is capable of up to 500 MB/s and write speed of up to 260 MB/s. Prices are $52.99, $80.99, $121.99, and $225.99 for the 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, respectively.
“With the rapid growth in ultrathin laptops and the adoption of smaller system builds, consumers are increasingly in need of SSD performance in a smaller form factor. The Crucial m4 mSATA is designed for users who want the flexibility that a micro-sized SSD offers," said Robert Wheadon, senior worldwide product manager, Crucial. "In a form factor that's about a third the size of your business card, the Crucial mSATA SSD can also be used as a standalone SSD or as a cache for an existing drive."
The Crucial m4 mSATA SSD available now and can be purchased through select channel partners around the world, or directly from Crucial’s website.
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kixofmyg0t
July 19, 2012 at 8:06am
I've been waiting for a quality mSATA drive to come out. Pair this with a Trinity APU and ill buy it right now.
tony2tonez
July 18, 2012 at 7:57pm
what the point of adding one of these? Do the just replace the exisiting ssd? What about people who add them to Desktop PC's? what function do they serve?
tonychow70
July 19, 2012 at 9:24am
Those things is using for increase your HDD's performance. If ou are using SSD as your primary system drive, then you don't need it. If I am not wrong, with mSATA, the everyday used cache file will been store into those drive that let you HDD system running faster, faster resume from sleep..., for someone doesn't want buy SSD yet, the mSATA should be better choice. For the laptops, some PC maker offer those kind of option that users have a low cost solution to get better performance than HDD.
Here is the link from Intel:
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/smart-response-technology-brief.html?wapkw=smart+response
Hope it can help you to understand why need mSATA.
Peanut Fox
July 18, 2012 at 9:01pm
There are a few z77 boards that have an mSATA slot. Asus and Gigabyte have a few that I know of. The performance is identical to a standard SSD. There's really no benefit in a desktop rig as it takes up a SATA port to use it. It's geared more toward ultra portables where space is a premium. If you've got a mini ITX build cutting space where you can is nice, and one of these will fit well in that role.
Philippe Lemay
July 18, 2012 at 6:37pm
Wow... my full sized 128GB m4 cost more than that when I bought it. This is pretty damned impressive. I wonder if they sell enclosures that could turn these things into USB 3.0 flash drives.
