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NAND Flash Density Surpasses HDDs', But Price Is Still a Sticking Point (computerworld.com)

Posted by timothy on from the daddy-what-were-spinning-media-and-what-was-their-areal-density? dept.

Lucas123 writes: With the introduction of 3D or stacked NAND flash memory, non-volatile memory has for the first time surpassed that of hard disk drives in density. This year, Micron revealed it had demonstrated areal densities in its laboratories of up to 2.77 terabits per square inch (Tbpsi) for its 3D NAND. That compares with the densest HDDs of about 1.3Tbpsi. While NAND flash may have surpassed hard drives in density, it doesn't mean the medium has reached price parity with HDDs — nor will it anytime soon. One roadblock to price parity is the cost of revamping existing or building new 3D NAND fabrication plant, which far exceeds that of hard drive manufacturing facilities, according to market research firm Coughlin Associates. HDD makers are also preparing to launch even denser products using technologies such as heat assisted magnetic recording.

4 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Flash won already by jones_supa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you look at a list of new computers, you will notice that a surprisingly large amount of PCs are already shipping with 128 GB or 256 GB SSD. That's gonna hold everything that most people need. People with bit more specialized needs (hardcore gaming, media production, virtual machines, etc.) can probably soon acquire 1 TB SSD for a price like $200. Only massive data centers will remain as users of HDDs. Flash memory companies are putting huge investments in developing the technology further, while HAMR is still a prototype in skunkworks that is struggling to be usable for mass production.

    1. Re: Flash won already by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      We'll probably have dual discs for a while. My OS is on a small SSD but my music, photos, and videos are all on a separate 1 TB HDD since the speed difference doesn't matter.

    2. Re:Flash won already by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Ah the cookie cutter troll strikes again. Do tell us sir what everyone needs and doesn't need. You can't wipe your ass with a 1TB drive for media storage. Let alone for that to be your only drive.

  2. Re:Price Is Still Just One of Two Sticking Points by Nemyst · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Fill up your SSD to 99% and it usually has between 20 and 40% free space to work with (more for enterprise drives, less for cheap drives). Oh wait, you've never heard of over-provisioning?