What is an SSD?
|
|
A solid-state disk or drive (SSD), also called a flash drive, is the next generation hard disk. Though the architecture of an SSD does not employ disks at all, the name is carried over from standard hard disks. In reality an SSD utilizes a special kind of memory chip with erasable, writeable cells that can hold data even when powered off. It might help to think of an SSD as the larger cousin of the memory stick.
Like standard disks, an SSD utilizes a special area for cache memory. Cache memory serves the function of increasing processing speeds by holding data that is needed repeatedly. With the data close at hand in the cache, it does not need to be fetched from the main storage area each time it’s called.
Some SSDs use cache that is volatile, as in synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), while others use non-volatile cache. The former requires a power source to retain data, just like computer RAM. The latter type retains data even without power.
An SSD has many advantages over a traditional drive. Seek time is decreased significantly, making the SSD very fast. Being sold-state, the drive has no moving parts to malfunction, and does not generate significant heat. It is also lighter than a standard drive, more power efficient, and completely silent. Finally, the SSD is more durable. If dropped or banged it isn’t as likely to be damaged.
There are, however, disadvantages to an SSD over a standard hard drive. For one, standard drives have become so affordable that SSDs cannot compete except in niche markets. Industry insiders expect SSD prices to remain cost-prohibitive until 2009. The SSD also has a life expectancy of erase/write cycles, after which it no longer performs reliably. A hard disk can deliver a good ten years of solid operation. Finally, an SSD has a significantly slower write time than a standard drive.
There is no question that flash drives or SSDs will eventually replace hard drive technology. By the time this happens the disadvantages will likely have been eliminated or significantly mitigated. Even today, an SSD can extend the life of a notebook battery, decrease the weight of the machine, make it quieter, and increase read performance. For these reasons SSDs are making their initial mainstream debut in high-end notebooks.
|
Related wiseGEEK articles
Category
wiseGEEK features
Subscribe to wiseGEEK
|
6
Is it possible to utilize an SSD and HDD? SSD for main PC use. And HDD for storing files?
Also the video I just watched said the Samsung SSD is Java based. Would Java be a "security Risk" in that sort of environment? - anon45828
5
To anon 33168: There are many different types of SSD flash drives with varying architectures, and according to info, one type is faster than HDs, but most are indeed slower at writing, (but faster at seeking/reading). It's because of the way flash memory works.As for a shorter life, flash memory has a limited number of read/write cycles before it becomes unstable, whereas a platter drive can last for years. It does not have a limit as to read/write cycles, but because it has moving parts, one of those parts eventually fails if you use the drive long enough. But 10 years is a long time, and many drives last twice that long until you replace them simply to get newer, faster technology. No one can say what the average life of a flash drive is, because it depends on how much it's used, since its read/write cycles are limited. Two people could buy the same exact drive, and have it last a vastly different amount of time, depending on use. However, there should be enough read/write cycles that most people will probably end up replacing the technology with better technology before it fails. IOW, whatever your SSD is in, you won't have it forever. You'll upgrade it, and whatever you upgrade to will have a newer, better, faster, SSD. - anon33430
4
So the main disadvantages are:*Less space for more money (under 100GB costs over $100 in SDD, while 1TB of regular HDD is $90 as of today) *It takes longer to write. *It has a shorter life time. What do you mean by write? Like, when you save a word document, it takes longer? and how much shorter is the life time? Is it determined by the model you buy? How can you tell what it is? What's the average use(like you said regular HDDs are about 10 years)? - anon33168
3
No, it is likely b/c these little netbooks with SSDs and Linux have small amounts of RAM. Linux does not require as much RAM as XP (and XP requires half as much as Vista). If you read minimum requirements for XP, I think they list something ridiculously small like 256MB, but in reality if you want the computer to work fast and efficiently enough that RAM is not a bottleneck, 2GB RAM is needed. So your netbook is having to create a large swap drive on the SSD, which is probably small to begin with (some SSDs are a mere 8GB). If you want XP on a netbook, you should really buy one with XP already on it, b/c they come with more RAM and more hard drive space. That's why the Linux models are cheaper -- less RAM and less drive space = less money. But you're better off sticking with Linux if that's the case. Linux will run better on it. - anon24694
2
My acer aspire one doesn't have a standard hard drive. It has SSD on it. The operating system of my netbook is Linux. The problem is when I convert it to windows XP it become slower. Is it because it has SSD not a standard hard drive? - anon24119
|
Written by
R. Kayne
Last Modified: 20 September 2009
copyright © 2003 - 2009
conjecture corporation
