Intel has announced a new Intel SSD 525 series of mSATA SSD’s which boast a number of features like AES encryption, 6 GB/s performance and a wide range of storage capacities.
The 525 Series will be available in 30GB, 60GB, 90GB, 120GB, 180GB & 240GB options and in addition to the wide range of storage options the 525 Series features Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) at 128bit for added data protection in the event of loss or theft and they are based on Intel’s 25 nanometer (nm) multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. They also come backed with a 5 year warranty.
Performance wise Intel states the new SSD’s will deliver random read performance of up to 50,000 input/output operations per second (IOPS) and sequential read performance up to 550 megabytes per second (MB/s) and random write performance of up to 80,000 IOPS and sequential writes of 520 MB/s
Intel is pitching the new range at OEM, enthusiast and channel customers for inclusion in AIO desktops, Ultrabooks, Notebooks, upgrades and other storage application including the automotive, retail sectors. To help with moving to one of the new drives Intel is providing a free download of its Intel Data Migration Software which can be used to clone a previous drive to one of the new Intel SSD’s along with the Intel® SSD Toolbox with Intel® SSD Optimizer, a free utility that provides Microsoft Windows users with management, information and diagnostic tools to help maintain the health and performance of the drive.
The 180GB and 240GB storage options are shipping now with the other storage options scheduled to start shipping this quarter.
I wonder if the M.2/NGFF (the one replacing mSATA) form factor will come to ultrabooks this year.