Intel to Standardize SSD Specifications for Ultrabook

[btarunr]

Intel plans to standardize SSD specifications for its Ultrabook platform, which would steer it toward slimmer, faster Ultrabooks. The company plans to invite a large number of industry players, including NAND flash memory makers SanDisk, Micron, and Samsung, for discussions into what is known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), a new SSD form-factor derived from mSATA (think Apple's SSD form-factor found in the MacBook Air).

Intel is in a bit of a hurry with its NGFF SSD plans because the current mSATA form-factor poses limitations, including limited PCB area, in which a limited number of ONFI channels can be wired out. NGFF most likely is mSATA with greater PCB area, allowing the same number of ONFI channels as 2.5-inch SSDs, with the latest generation of controllers and toggle-NAND flash memory. NGFF doesn't increase the thickness of the SSD compared to mSATA, but merely elongates it (again, similar in form to Apple's SSD specifications). Five length standards are being discussed between Intel and Ultrabook partners.

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[Naito]

Finally! Maybe I will now be able to get a replacement drive for my UX31E Ultrabook. That's if they end up using the same connector...

 

[phanbuey]

well it makes sense that the specifications for the ultrabook are similar to apple's since an ultrabook is basically a PC air.

now if they can only also copy the magnet charger... we would be all set.

 

[TheLostSwede]

NGFF is for a lot more than just SSDs, as they have a lot of different form factors for all kinds of add-in cards for notebooks, including smaller Wi-Fi cards and what not.