Plextor announced four new storage solutions at CES 2013,
including new entries into the enterprise and mobile
storage markets.
The storage vendor unveiled a few new solid-state storage
devices today, including the M5M mSATA SSD, a Next
Generation Form Factor (NGFF) SSD, and its new embedded
multimedia card (eMCC).
The M5M is an mSATA 6Gb/s SSD following the JEDEC MO-300
form factor. Designed for ultrabooks, it will be available
during the first quarter of 2013 in 64/128/256 GB
capacities. All versions feature sequential read speeds of
540 MB/s. The sequential write speeds for the three models
are 160 MB/s, 320 MB/s and 430 MB/s respectively.
The drive features the latest Marvell 88SS9187 controller
working in combination with Plextor's True Speed
technology, which prevents SSD speed drops, automatically
maintaining performance at like-new speeds. In addition,
the M5M will feature Toshiba's new 19nm Toggle NAND flash
memory.
The M5M also features Plextor's True Protect double-data
protection technology. True Protect is a multi-layer
system to ensure the highest level of data integrity,
combining the latest 128-bit error correction built into
the Marvell controller with Plextor's firmware-based
Robust Data Hold-out algorithm. The M5M also features
256-bit AES full-drive encryption.
The M5M also supports DEVSLP power mode that reduces power
consumption and extends battery life of an ultra-portable
device. It can reduce the power consumption to 1mW and
resume from DEVSLP mode in 100ms.
The M5M has an MTBF (mean time between failures) of 2.4
million hours.
Plextor also unveiled the NGFF Solid State Drive. NGFF
(the Next Generation Form Factor, newly renamed M.2)
enables design of drives smaller than existing mSATA
models. A typical footprint of 51 x 30 x 5 mm can be
reduced to 42 x 22 x 2.5 mm thick - about the size of a
small flash drive, except thinner. The new Plextor version
has a sequential read and write speed of 700 / 550 MB/s
and a Radom read / write of 100k / 90k IOPS. Both a 128 GB
and 256 GB version will be available. This is a storage
solution for upgrading your ultrabook as a workstation.
Availability is expctd inb late 1Q.
Plextor's entrance to the enterprise market will include
drives based on SLC NAND as well as MLC NAND memory. The
SLC version focuses on high endurance. The MLC version
features power protection that guards against data loss in
case of power outages and is capable of withstanding an
extreme range of temperatures. The Plextor dedicated
Firmware team can support custom Firmware for these units.
The new Enterprise drive also features Plextor's True
Speed technology and is currnetly available by custom
order.
Plextor will be also offering eMMC storage solutions
embedded applications such as digital cameras, smart
phones, and tablets. eMMC is a standardized method for
bundling the controller into the flash die. The standard
now includes features such as secure erase and trim and
high-priority interrupt to meet the demand for high
performance and security. Plextor embedded multimedia card
solutions are expected in late Q2.