Storage » Flash Memory

In depth: Online backup services keep your data safe

It's a fact of modern life that archiving data is essential to prevent a data disaster. Still, something like one-third of computers are never backed up, according to 2257 respondents in a recent Backblaze poll carried out by Harris Interactive. The survey came to the dismal conclusion that a scant 7 per cent of users practice safe computing by archiving their systems on a daily (or nightly) basis.

By Brian Nadel | 07 February, 2012 02:08

Tags: internet, storagem security

Delorean hard drive is perfect for time machine

Attention all Back To The Future fans: If you're in the market for a new hard drive, then the folks over at Flash Rods have something just for you. Flash Rods latest, known as the Delorean Time Machine Hard Drive, contains a 500GB Seagate drive within the chassis of the much-loved Delorean from the Back To The Future trilogy.

By Chris Brandrick | 30 November, 2010 12:16

Tags: Drives, Flash Rods, hdd, storage

OCZ's new Agility SSD is true to its name

OCZ has had its share of problems out of the gate with its low-end, consumer solid-state disk drive, the Apex Series SATA II. But its most recent economy SSD, the Agility Series SATA II 2.5-in., appears to be a successful effort to correct old problems with fresh technology. The Agility has ample cache to boost write performance and, most important, uses a higher-end controller. Yet it is only slightly more expensive than the Apex, which is still being sold.

By Lucas Mearian | 20 July, 2009 08:24

Tags: OCZ, SSD, storage

Review: Hard disk vs. solid-state drive -- is an SSD worth the money?

Solid-state disk (SSD) drives are all the rage among techies. The drives use non-volatile NAND flash memory, meaning there are no moving parts. Because there is no actuator arm and read/write head that must seek out data on a platter like on a hard disk drive (HDD), they are faster in reading and, in most cases, writing data.

By Lucas Mearian | 19 June, 2009 07:57

Tags: hard-disk drives, seagate, solid-state drives, storage

Solid-state disks offer 'fast erase' features

As the pilot ejects inside enemy territory, the fighter jet triggers an automatic data-destruction sequence. Within 15 seconds, the highly classified mission data on the solid-state disk has been wiped out.

By Robert L. Mitchell | 10 February, 2009 10:13

Tags: SSD

What your hard drive will look like in five years

As solid-state disk (SSD) technology closes in on hard-disk drive (HDD) capacity and price, experts say it may not be long before spinning disks are a thing of the past and a computer's storage resides in flash memory on the motherboard.

By Lucas Mearian | 19 January, 2009 09:43

Tags: storage

Which operating system is best for SSDs?

Solid-state disk (SSD) drive architecture can play a big role in how fast a computer boots up and performs. But how big a role the SSDs play -- and how much faster an operating system is -- depends as much on the operating system as on the drive. Although none of the mainstream operating systems now in use have been optimized to work better with SSDs, some do natively work more efficiently than others, according to storage experts.

By Lucas Mearian | 12 December, 2008 07:59

Tags: SSD, windows 2000

Solid state not yet on solid ground

Companies are slowly starting to more closely evaluate solid-state storage technologies, though most are still waiting for the cost to come down before implementing it.

By Todd R. Weiss | 14 October, 2008 08:59

Tags: solid state drives

New Intel 80GB SSD is faster than the best HDD

Solid state drives (SSDs) are finally coming into their own -- they're faster, more durable, and use less power than traditional mechanical hard drives. However, the strongest indicator that this may be the storage tech of the future is Intel's release of its X18 and X25 solid state drives.

Solid-state disk will go mainstream in 3, 2, 1...

Solid-state disk, once considered a niche technology for ruggedized, industrial and military applications, is on its way to the mainstream. This is partly because of SSD benefits, which include performance, power efficiency, ruggedness and a lightweight, compact size. But other developments have also come into play, including technology and market developments that have begun to help this technology overcome its pitfalls -- namely capacity, reliability and price.

Flash storage gets enterprise attention as prices decline

The little USB stick on your keychain and the memory in your iPod is fueling a revolution in the enterprise storage world.

Not all USB drives are created equal

Most USB 2.0 flash drives look the same, but that doesn't mean they perform the same.

Flash drive's quickness matches marketing hype

Corsair claims its new 16GB high-performance "GT" Flash Voyager is the fastest USB flash drive made. Although this is a bold claim, my tests showed it's not marketing hype. But there are caveats, so read on.