Intel has released an even small Solid State Disk (SSD) to help satisfy our hunger, or lack of volume, for aiding the development of even smaller mini hardware devices.

Shaving 3 grams (now 8grams) from the new SSD mini-card module (Z-P230 model), Intel is posed and ready to profit from the mini-laptop market. The Z-P230 is available in 4GB and 8GB, with a 16GB module to be release in a month or so.

What makes a mini SSD:

• Standard interface - Standard 40-pin ZIF PATA (IDE) system interface or space-saving PATA (IDE) on mini-card version
• Small footprint - 38mm x 54mm x 3.2mm (ZIF version) or 30mm x 50.95 x 3.8mm (mini-card version) - one-fourth the volume of a standard 1.8" hard disk drive for smaller, more portable designs
• Lightweight - Only weighs 11 grams (ZIF) or 8g (mini-card) for lighter, more portable designs
• Low power - Extends battery life (idle 1.65mW, typical operating 314 mW)
• Fully solid-state - No moving parts, so ideal for portable designs. 600G (2ms) shock tolerance