256GB Samsung SSD Heading for MacBook Air?

Yesterday was Memorial Day in the US, a Bank Holiday in the UK, and apparently large honkin’ solid-state drive (SSD) day in South Korea.

Samsung, which provides the 64GB SSD drive that is available in a expensive configure-to-order version of the MacBook Air, announced a 256GB 2.5-inch SSD drive. While the 64GB model in the MacBook Air has been criticized for having leisurely performance, the new MLC (Multi-Level Cell) flash SATA II drive boasts 200MBps read and 160MBps sequential write speeds. Those are double the speeds of the 64GB drive.

The new model features power consumption that’s slightly less than that of the 64GB drive (.9 watt in active mode, compared to 1.0 watt), as well as sophisticated data encryption.

There’s no word on whether or not the new drive will show up in future MacBook Air models. The monster SSD will be widely available in September, with a 1.8-inch version expected in the 4th quarter of 2008. Does a faster, more massive, and hopefully cheaper SSD-based MacBook Air sound like something we have the ability to expect to hear Steve mention as “one more thing” at Macworld Expo 2009? Read

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