What is a half slim solid state drive?

[biometrics]

Found this. http://hothardware.com/News/Toshiba-Intros-30GB62GB-mSATA-And-HalfSlim-SSD-Drives/

Not sure if that helps anyone make heads or tails of these things...

Thanks. So it is actually a SATA connector:

The Half-Slim SATA II modules feature a SATA connector, measure 1.18 in. x 0.19 in. x 2 in. (54mm x 4 mm x 39mm). The Half-Slim SATA II modules have the same SATA connector used on 2.5-inch HDD and SDD form factors. Thus, this smaller form factor can easily be used in applications designed to use 2.5-inch storage form factors. The Half Slim is also JEDEC compliant.

Note article is from 2009 so it could be that it didn't take off whereas mSATA did.

 

[DJ...]

Seems they come with mSATA and SATA. BoB's even got both, from Transcend...

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/1375...Half_Slim_SSD_Drive_8GB_MLC_Read_Speed_U.html

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/137552470/Transcend_mSATA_MLC_SSD_Drive_16GB.html

But if I understand correctly, and let me know if not, the device has to have the correct slot in the first place to fit these devices. It's not just the SATA side that's important?

 

[biometrics]

Seems they come with mSATA and SATA. BoB's even got both, from Transcend...

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/1375...Half_Slim_SSD_Drive_8GB_MLC_Read_Speed_U.html

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/137552470/Transcend_mSATA_MLC_SSD_Drive_16GB.html

But if I understand correctly, and let me know if not, the device has to have the correct slot in the first place to fit these devices. It's not just the SATA side that's important?

mSATA definitely yes. But since the half slim has a standard connector I guess you could connect regular SATA cables to it. But I'm guessing normal use would have a slot.

Never seen them before so I'm unsure. mSATA I use so that I know about.

 

[DJ...]

So let's assume the sata connector works, which it seems to. Is there a way to safely fit this into a device without the correct slot?

 

[biometrics]

So let's assume the sata connector works, which it seems to. Is there a way to safely fit this into a device without the correct slot?

Why bother, are they much cheaper than a regular SSD? Mounting it is going to be a pain.

 

[DJ...]

Why bother, are they much cheaper than a regular SSD? Mounting it is going to be a pain.

They are much cheaper, yes. I'm looking at putting together a device that might have some retail market-ability. On that basis I'm trying to get a SSD at a reasonable cost into the device. I only need 16GB...

 

[biometrics]

They are much cheaper, yes. I'm looking at putting together a device that might have some retail market-ability. On that basis I'm trying to get a SSD at a reasonable cost into the device. I only need 16GB...

Frontosa has AData and Kingston mSATA 30 GB SSDs for around R450 ex. Can check for you tomorrow.

 

[DJ...]

Frontosa has AData and Kingston mSATA 30 GB SSDs for around R450 ex. Can check for you tomorrow.

That would be great, thanks...

 

[biometrics]

That would be great, thanks...

Send me a mail tomorrow, I'm going to forget ...

 

[DJ...]

Send me a mail tomorrow, I'm going to forget ...

Just dropped you a PM. Will email you tomorrow as well...

 

[blahdihel]

I have an mSATA drive in my HTPC.

You will find some higher-end mini-ITX motherboards have a Mini-PCIe / m-SATA slot.

I have this board: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/Z77IAE53.html#?div=Detail

...and I use a Transcend 64GB mSATA SSD with it

Apologies for the crappy lighting.

This board's mSATA slot is located underneath, freeing up more space up top to cram in extra features...

If you're looking for an Intel branded board, see here for boards that support mSATA natively. Maybe Biometrics can find a couple of the options on Frontosa's pricelist.

You should get Asus and Gigabyte mini-ITX boards as well from Frontosa that feature an mSATA slot(I last did business with them almost a year ago, so things might have changed).

If absolute speed is your most important factor in deciding on a SSD, best to go with a normal-sized, fast 2.5" SSD. Most mSATA slots are SATA 2 (SATA 3G) speed and not SATA3 (SATA 6G), and thus cause you to not get max speed from a SATA 3 mSATA SSD.

For me the tiny form factor and freeing up of a normal SATA slot, especially in a Mini-ITX HTPC chassis where the amount of drive-bays are limited, won through. Why waste a bay with a 2.5" SSD via a 3.5" bracket, that could rather be utilized by a large capacity storage disk?