After Intel unveiled its first Solid-State Device (8 Gigabyte 2.5-inch SATA), SanDisk has introduced a 32 Gigabyte, solid-state flash memory drive, broadening its offerings for hard-disk drive replacements in the notebook market. The SanDisk drive is compatible with most mainstream notebook designs, and follows by two months the company"s introduction of a 1.8-inch SSD for ultra-portable notebooks. The new drive is available to computer manufacturers for $350 in large volume orders. Samsung Electronics also offers a 32 Gigabyte SSD.
Advantages of solid state devices over hard-disk drives include lower power consumption, cooler and quieter. The disadvantages include a higher price tag per gigabyte, and far less storage capacity. Nevertheless, SSDs have their place in the market for low-end PCs sold to poorer nations, which don"t need a large capacity disk drive.