Samsung Showing Off: First PC With NAND Flash Memory

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-11782-Samsung+launch+their+first+PC+with+NAND+flash+solid+state+d.html' target='_blank'>http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/new...id+state+d.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Fellow GEEKS here you are our GRACELAND ! YES the long dreamed and awaited moment is finally here, Samsung just show of the 2 very first PC with NAND Flash memory. A Q1 and Q30 with 32GB of memory !!! The sales of such PC are schedule for JUNE in Korea ONLY ! The only drawback is the price which will be around over 2,400.00 USD for a Q1 for example"</i><br /><br /><img src=http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-20060527-samsung.jpg><br /><br />Well, I don't know about you, but I can probably wait a bit longer for this geek dream, especially since I can pick up a few lower-end laptops for the price. But if you've been lusting over solid state media being the only media needed on your PC, Samsung is giving it to you (provided you go to Korea, but you knew that already!). For everyone else in the world, Samsung is giving you hope!

[shindullin]

Just read the press release. If money were no object, this object would be mine. It's basically a real computer with pocket PC portability, durability and instant on. Plus it's super fast and has longer battery life because it doesn't need a (slower) HDD for data access. Way cool. And well worth a premium for those who can afford it.

[Damion Chaplin]

That's great, but what I really want is that 32GB NAND drive for my main desktop PC. Come on Samsung!

[arb]

I have a Q1 and I like it so far. I have a mini-review in the forum page under Off Topic.

As far as this device they are talking about here, I would really like a Nand Drive installed and the DVB Tuner....

As far as the comment of not enough disk space, the unit is only 900Mhz, you are not going to be playing games on this unit and photo/video editing would be painfully slow.

I use my unit as a go between my PDA and Laptop PC. A perfect go between. If you are looking to play music and video then it compares to an iPod Video with 30gb HDD. If you really need to fill the unit up with that kind of stuff.

[birick]

They just won't stop tempting me! I already want to get a Q1, but I am trying to hold off for at least the 2nd generation. Then they do this!!
However, the fact that the price of the Q1 with NAND is double the price of the standard Q1 (here in Korea) will make it easier to say no. Perhaps this to will be better / lower priced in a generation or two. Now I have a reason to stay here longer, I'm waiting on the next generation!! :)

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I love the potential of using flash memory for portable PCs - but knowing that flash ROM is limited in the number of writes you can do to it, just how long will it stand up under Windows use? In WM5, working files are cached in RAM with periodic writes to ROM - is there any indication this Samsung does the same?

[eguy]

SSDs now available from 8GB to 128GB all in one place. IDE and SATA. Speeds between 8.5MB/s to 65MB/s. 2.5" and 3.5" form factors. Starting at $599 at http://www.dvnation.com/ssd.html

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Wow! I hope the prices come down to consumer level soon. But thanks, you've answered my question. For those who haven't bothered to click on the link, I'll quote the relevant info:

*10 year data retention - longer than hard drives!
*5,000,000 write/erase cycles * unlimited read cycles
*extreme 32F to 158F operation temperature envelope (0C to 70C)
*operating shock: 1000 - 1500 G's depending on model
*Models vary by transfer rate, device height (mm), interface (IDE or SATA) &amp; capacity (Only 8GB or16GB models will fit most notebooks because of 9.5mm height constraints)

5 million write/erase cycles!!!! Ok, I'm sold.