Micron releases 960-GB SSD

A high-capacity SSD incorporates 20-nm MLC NAND flash with a SATA 6Gb/s controller. The M500 SSD from Micron Technology Inc. comes in densities of 120 GB, 240 GB, 480 GB, and 960 GB. The drive delivers up to 80,000 IOPS, while its sequential read and write speeds reach up to 500 MB/s and 400 MB/s, respectively. Additional features include:

• Hardware-based encryption (TCG Opal 2.0 + IEEE 1667)
• Data protection against unexpected power loss
• Advanced error recovery techniques
• Adaptive thermal monitoring system
• Device sleep (DEVSLP), enabling the drive to draw less than 5 mW of power while the system is in sleep mode

Designed for standard computing and next-generation ultrathin devices, the M500 comes in 2.5 inch, mSATA, and M.2 form factors, the last of which packs nearly half a terabyte of storage onto an 80-mm x 22-mm module. 

The device is available to consumers, businesses, and system builders under the Crucial brand, and to OEMs under the Micron brand. The 2.5-inch Crucial M500 SSD is expected to be available for purchase in Q1 2013 through select global channel partners or direct through www.crucial.com. Micron will sell the M500 SSD direct to OEMs and through its distribution network. The M.2 and mSATA form factors are slated for Q2 2013.