Intel Entering Solid State Drive Market
CNet reports that Intel is entering the Solid State Drive (SSD) market later this year to compete against existing suppliers such as Samsung, Toshiba, and SanDisk. Up to this point Intel has only offered small-capacity products up to 16GB in size. In Q2, Intel will be introducing 80GB and 160GB 1.8 and 2.5-inch SSDs aimed at the laptop market. Intel also promises significant performance gains over existing SSD products:
"When Intel launches its...products, you'll see that not all SSDs are created equal," Winslow said. "The way the SSDs are architected, the way the controller and firmware operates makes a huge difference"
The drives are expected to come with an SATA interface, making them not directly compatible with the MacBook Air -- the only Apple laptop that offers an SSD option. As SSD drives drop in price, however, we can expect them to be offered with other Apple laptops. Intel believes prices will drop 40-50% per year.
Solid State Drives offer advantages of faster performance, lower power requirements and durability over traditional hard drives.
Popular Stories
Apple refreshed the MacBook Air with the M5 chip in March 2026, but attention is already turning to what comes next. While the next-generation model isn't expected to arrive until next year, early rumors suggest it could mark the beginning of a more ambitious phase in Apple's chip roadmap.
From potential advances in processor technology to the prospect of higher prices, here's what the...
Apple today dramatically increased device prices across multiple product lines.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
After temporarily taking it down earlier today, Apple's online store is back up with a series of product price increases. The changes are as follows:
HomePod mini: $129, up from $99 (+$30)
HomePod: $349, up from $299 (+$50)
Apple TV: $199, up from...
Earlier today, we reported that Apple added the MacBook Neo to the refurbished store on its website, and it turns out the new additions go beyond that.
The other products added to Apple's refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada for the first time today include the MacBook Air with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and the second-generation Studio Display (2026)....
