Connected Data today launched an updated version of its Drobo Mini that includes Solid State Disk (SSD) drives (Via ZDNet). The new model offers an 80 percent performance improvement over a similar Drobo Mini equipped only with hard disk drives.
The new Drobo Mini with SSDs is a portable storage solution designed for photographers, videographers and other on-the-go media professionals who require fast drive performance they can fit in their bag.
"The core benefits that any user receives when using a Drobo are still tremendous value. Being able to start with the capacity you need today and growing over time; simplicity to deploy, use and manage is key – no need to be a storage expert," writes Joe Disher, senior director of product marketing for Connected Data. "Adding the SSDs to our portable Drobo provides tremendous performance as well as the reliability and redundancy needed for filmmakers that don’t have time to have lost data."
Internally, the Mini includes four 2.5-inch drive bays with an optional mSATA Accelerator bay. You can buy the Mini pre-equipped with SSDs or supply your own drives for a custom configuration. The Mini features both Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports that support read speeds of 300MB/sec and write speeds of 225MB/sec.
The Drobo Mini with SSD is available today in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities. Prices start at $1,199 for the 1TB model and climb to $1,799 for the 2TB and $2,999 for the 4TB option. A $449 option with no drives is also available.
Top Rated Comments
Drobo has always been way over priced. Nothing new here. Synology > Drobo
And why are we still rolling with SATA III? It's limiting and PCIe SSD's (more portable) are becoming more of a thing. Imagine fast 2x PCIe SSD's in Raid 0.
Couldn't agree more. Inferior overpriced products for the blatantly ignorant people imo.
You could get a USB 3.0 2.5" enclosure that performs over 400Mb/s read/write and add any number of 1Tb SATA 6Gb/s SSDs to it for far less than their prices.
Starting with a minimum of a 1Tb SSD and 400Mb/s rated USB 3.0 enclosure FAR CHEAPER and better performing options are either:
£298 for a 1Tb Samsung 840 EVO
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E3W16OU/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ff61tb131WRME
Plus £15.99 for a tool-less installation, 400Mb/s rated Inatech USB 3.0 enclosure:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FCLG65U/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_0c61tb17782MF
Or this 440Mb/s rated Dr. Bot MiniSwap enclosure for £98:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D78W6Q8/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ep61tb0CNHCX4
Which bests EVERY Thunderbolt 2.5" enclosure by embarrassing levels in this set of benchmarks:
http://www.barefeats.com/hard168.html
Why a Thunderbolt-based multi-SSD enclosure like the Drobo isn't using some kind of RAID system to hit 1500Mb/s makes no sense. I fail to see who they're for.