New SSD Specification for Ultrabooks under development by Intel

Intel is under development process for introducing new SSD specification for Ultrabooks and discussing about it with some PC vendors and NAND flash makers

According to claim by some unnamed source, Intel is currently working with PC vendors and NAND flash firms to unify specifications for mSATA SSDs for Ultrabooks. This new SSD specification is expected to be finalized by September and then fully adopted into Ultrabooks by next year. There is no clear detail if this new specification may even land on traditional notebook or not.

It also seems that Intel is looking to unify mSATA SSD specification into one single standard called Next Generation Form Factor as mentioned by the source. It is also believed that some major PC vendors and NAND flash makers such as Micron, SanDisk and Samsung Electronics are reportedly participating in the discussion.

Apart from all that Intel is trying to push NGFF because it claims the current mSATA SSD specs limit the number of NAND flash that can be used. For this Intel has augmented as, is Ultrabook manufacturers want to offer more than 512GB of storage. The new NGFF standard will eradicate the current limitation by allowing SSDs to feature NAND chips on both sides of the PCB. Although the PCB will be two sided the SSD will still have the same thickness and width, however they will sport a new length.

It seems that five new lengths are under discussion that will best suit the ultrabooks including 20mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm and 120mm. however as the source has reported out of these lengths the 42mm, 60mm and 80mm have more chances to be accepted.

Source: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/mSATA-SSD-Ultrabooks-NGFF-PCB,16623.html