Intel Launches Smaller SSD for Netbooks, Mini-desktops

Intel launched a much smaller version of its Z-P230 SSDs (solid state drive) aimed at netbooks and mini-desktops, the company said Wednesday.

The new SSD is based on a miniature card module that weighs just 8 grams, compared to 11 grams for the original Z-P230, which Intel announced in June.

The company is already profiting from the new netbook category of mini-laptop computers. The world's largest chip maker sells the most popular microprocessor for such devices currently, the Atom, which is designed as an energy saving, low-cost chip that takes up little space inside a netbook.

The new Z-P230 SSDs carry the same qualities as Atom. Netbooks are built to be small, light-weight, low-cost and mobile, so the new mini-card sized Z-P230 SSD is made to take up as little space inside as possible, weigh little and extend battery life. The main difference between the Z-P230 and the company's Z-P140 for MIDs (mobile Internet devices) is a focus on low cost for the Z-P230s.

The Intel Z-P230 comes is already available in 4G byte and 8G byte capacities, with a 16G byte version coming in September, Intel said. The 4G byte version costs US$25 in 1,000 unit quantities, while the 8G byte version is $45 in 1,000 unit quantities.