Computers

Optical storage meets SSD - Say hello to the HyDrive

Optical storage meets SSD - Say hello to the HyDrive
Hydrive on display at Computex 2010 in an ASUS N61DA notebook
Hydrive on display at Computex 2010 in an ASUS N61DA notebook
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Hydrive roadmap 2010-2013
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Hydrive roadmap 2010-2013
H-L Hydrive on display at Computex 2010
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H-L Hydrive on display at Computex 2010
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Hydrive storage solution specifications
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Hydrive storage solution specifications
Hydrive on display at Computex 2010 in an ASUS N61DA notebook
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Hydrive on display at Computex 2010 in an ASUS N61DA notebook
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Hitachi-LG Data Storage has come up with a novel idea that combines physical storage with an optical drive. The HyDrive is capable of reading CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs but also has an SSD drive slotted in. Initially coming in 32GB and 64GB versions, the company has plans to scale on up to 256GB by March of next year.

As if your computer's optical drive doesn't have enough to do feeding you all your favorite music and movies, Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS) has announced plans to make it even more useful. Later this year a new kind of drive will be installed into the Family PC MN 102-O from Moneual. As well as reading CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs the drive will also contain either 32GB or 64GB of solid state technology.

The first generation of HyDrive units will make their global debut in August and will initially connect to a Moneual computer through a Serial ATA 3Gbps interface. The SSD technology will no doubt be configured for fast boot times by playing host to an operating system, with any spare room given over to data or caching. By the time the second generation finds its way into the N61DA notebook from ASUS in March next year, the drive will have benefited from an interface upgrade to Serial ATA 6Gbps and its SSD capacity scaled up to 256GB.

HLDS has been busy working with AMD and ASUS (as well as Moneual) to ensure the necessary hardware and drivers are ready to support the first and second generation HyDrive launches, with ASUS said to be planning an Eee Top home for the HyDrive as well as its N61DA notebook. It's also thought that HyDrive technology will find its way into tablet computers and laptops where the SSD could well provide a total storage solution.

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Will it be compatible with older laptops that have SATA optical drives?