Intel has announced a low-cost, NAND-flash-based SSD (solid state drive). The Z-P230 uses a parallel ATA (PATA) interface to save power in mobile devices, and sells for $25 in a 4GB version, or $45 for 8GB. A 16GB version will be available in the fourth quarter.

Intel first announced plans to market SSDs as part of its mobile and low-cost computing reference designs back in December. Today, Intel released the following features and specifications for the Z-P230:

• Capacity — 4GB and 8GB, with 16GB available in Q4
  
• Dimensions — 2.1 x 1.5 x 0.15 inches (54 x 38 x 4mm)
  
• Weight — 0.35 ounces (10g)
  
• Parallel-ATA (IDE)
  
• NAND devices — Intel MD516
  
• Read throughput — 35MB/sec. (max)
  
• Write throughput — 7MB/sec. (max)
  
• Power consumption — typical idle, 1.65mW; typical operating, 314mW
  
• MTBF — 1,000,000 hours
  
• Voltage — 3.3V
  
• Operating temperature — 0 to 70 deg. C
  
• Shock tolerance — 600G (2ms)
  
• RoHS compliant

Announcing the new parts at this week's Computex show in Taipei, Taiwan, Intel said it expects a “tremendous growth opportunity” in netbooks and nettops. Sean Maloney, executive vice president and GM of the company's sales and marketing group, said, “Individuals — not households — will drive the next era of growth, with people each owning one or more computing devices.”

Separately, Intel today announced N270 and 230 processors, formerly codenamed Diamondville, along with new chipsets integrating 945-series IGPs (integrated graphics processors). More details are here.

 
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