Toshiba Launches slim 7 mm SSHD

Toshiba announces the slim, 7mm MQ01ABF solid state hybrid drive (SSHD) series. Equipped with Toshiba's NAND flash and available in 500GB1 and 320GB capacities, the MQ01ABFH series is the first Toshiba SSHD drive family in 7 mm. The series continues Toshiba's legacy of providing world-class storage products, and offers customers a complete lineup of 2.5-inch solid state hybrid drives with the previously announced 1TB2 and 750GB MQ01ABDH series 9.5mm SSHDs for ultrathin and thin and light notebook PCs, multimedia and gaming applications, and traditional laptop PCs.

Drawing upon its knowledge and experience in NAND flash, Toshiba optimized the NAND flash performance into a tiered-storage approach that uses the speed of the DRAM and NAND components with the high-capacity of rotating media. The SSHD delivers SSD-like performance without dependence on external drivers or assistance from the host system. The PC Mark Vantage Score, the established industry method for measuring SSHD read/write performance and responsiveness, for the MQ01ABFH series is approximately 20,000, surpassing the 16,000 industry standard result.

"The MQ01ABFH series fulfills users' desire for thin and light notebook PCs with fast response times that can keep up with their demanding gaming and multimedia applications," said Mr. Kashiwabara, Senior Manager of Marketing Sec., Toshiba Digital Media Network Taiwan Corporation. "This addition to our SSHD lineup demonstrates Toshiba's continued focus on delivering a wide range of storage devices that enhances the computing experience for our customers."

The MQ01ABFH series underwent multiple performance and compatibility tests with a variety of host PCs, including the PC Mark Vantage test. Testing for compatibility on variety PC systems including high-end notebook PCs, thin and light, and ultrathin, the drive proved compatible with nearly 200 PC systems.

Similar to Toshiba's other SSHD offerings; the 7mm model uses self-learning algorithms to optimize performance based on users' data access patterns which can enhance their computing experience. The self-learning, caching algorithms manage what data is stored in the NAND flash storage for the fastest responsiveness, as well as how the data in the drive is updated based on intelligent access pattern learning. In addition, Toshiba's MQ01ABFH series boasts superior power consumption and operational shock levels than its competitors. Toshiba's new 500GB MQ01ABF050H model and 320GB MQ01ABF032H model will be featured in various notebook PCs. Samples are already available.