Buffalo, known by the PC enthusiast community for their high-end FireStix series memory modules, is readying a new high-speed memory kit under the FireStix Inferno brand. The rated memory speed for these modules is at a blistering 1100 MHz (2200 MHz DDR) setting a speed standard of PC3-17600, a notch above the DDR3-2133 MHz kit on offer by Corsair.

Buffalo will sell these modules in a dual-channel kit (model: FSI2200D3K-K2G), consisting of two modules. Each module has a capacity of 1 GB. They feature aluminum heatsinks for passive cooling. The modules are rated to hit clock speeds of 2200 MHz with DRAM timings of 9-9-9-24, at a voltage of 2.1V. The company has started shipping the kit today, widespread availability is expected by January.

Buffalo recently released the LinkStation Mini line-up of NAS devices that fit SSD drives as storage media. Designed specially to ensure maximum transfer speeds, zero noise levels and high reliability for the customer, the LS-WSS240GL/R1 weights in just half a kilo and offers 240GB of storage space. The SSD NAS device measures 40 (W) x 82 (H) x 135 (D) mm and connects through a Gigabit Ethernet or a USB 2.0/1.1 port. General availability of the cube is expected later this month, with retail cost for the 240GB version around $1,146.

Buffalo has released an Intel-made solid-state drive (SSD), model SHD-NSMR 80G. The 2.5 inch, 80 GB drive is built on the multi-level cell (MLC) design, with rated sequential read speeds of up to 253 MB/s, with random read speeds of 241.7 MB/s. The drive uses standard SATA II interface. It measures 100 × 70 × 10mm (width × height × depth), and weighs 88g.

The drive bundles a decent set of related software by Acronis: MigrateEasy data migration software, TrueImage LE data backup software, DiskDirector LE partition management software, and DriveCleanser data secure-deletion software. The drive is now out in Japan and costs 103,950 JPY (about $1,090).

Buffalo is preparing a new NAS system, the 6 TB TeraStation Pro. The system has four drive bays, with four pre-installed 1.5 TB hard drives. These drives can be configured in RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 modes. An LCD displays the system's activity. It has one gigabit ethernet interface and two USB 2.0 ports The unit measures measures 170 (W) x 235 (H) x 310 (D) mm. Buffalo will start shipping this unit later this month and ask an estimated US$2080 for it.

Elpida and Buffalo Technologies have unearthed a memory standard never before heard, and thought by many, as the limits of current DDR3 technology, given the silicon fabrication process current DRAM chips are made with. The elusive PC3-19200 standard has been achieved. Elpida has tested stable, a prototype memory module that runs at 2400 MHz DDR (1200 MHz actual clock-rate). The modules use Elpida's 2.5 Gbps DRAM chips.

These speeds, however, come at the cost of latencies and voltages. The module was tested stable at 2400 MHz only at 11-11-11-34, and a voltage of 2.1 V, which is high, by DDR3 standards. However, the module locks a surprise when it comes to the same numbers: The module was tested stable at 2096 MHz, at amazingly low 1.5V, with much tighter timings of 9-10-9-24. The companies wish to put this to mass production soon.

Buffalo Technology is said to be readying three models of 2.5 inch solid state drives for release later this month. The drives are part of the SHD-NSUM series. They are made of multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash design. It uses the standard SATA II interface and weighs 70 grams. The three models would come out in capacities of 30, 60 and 120 GB. It features a built that allows use both inside a notebook or PC and outside it. Apart from the standard SATA power and data connectors, there is a USB connection provided so that users could connect the drive directly using a USB cable that takes care of data and power. Such a feature was also seen with OCZ Core V2 series. The 30, 60 and 120 GB models are to be priced in Japan at about $153, $305 and $459 respectively.

Originally ASUS' Eee PC 900/901 netbooks are limited to a maximum of 20GB onboard SSD storage and possibly a bit more if you add an additional storage card or extra USB flash memory. While it may be enough for some, it's unacceptable for others. For that reason, Japanese firm Buffalo has teamed up with various SSD suppliers to offer special Eee PC storage bundles that include more capacity for a little extra cash. Soon Buffalo will start offering two HDD upgrade kits for Eee PC 900/901 series, a 32GB SHD-EP9M32G and a 64GB SHD-EP9M64G models, that will make the netbook more flexible. Buffalo forecasts the two replacement drives to become available sometime in September with the 32GB model priced at ¥14,800 (US $136) and the 64GB model priced at ¥29,800 (US $275).

Buffalo Unveils a 100 GB Flash Drive

Although we've seen flash SSDs that top out at 416 GB, nothing in the mainstream is really bigger than 64 GB -- but Buffalo's new SHD-UHRS series seems like it's bringing the status quo up to 100 GB. The USB 2.0 external drive uses two different types of flash memory to reach that capacity, yet it's only about the size of a business card and weighs just two ounces. Those of you somehow entranced by the case design but lacking the 952 USD for the 100 GB model needn't worry, however: Buffalo is also shipping a 32 GB version for a pretty competitive 312 USD and a 64 GB model for 665 USD.

Buffalo's MiniStation TurboUSB Portable Hard Drive offers a compact, lightweight, shock resistant storage solution that fits in your pocket. The new 5400 rpm USB 2.0 drive offers transfer rate of 34.9 MB/s, or up to 64% faster than standard 4200 rpm HDDs. Buffalo HD-PS320U is compatible with Windows and MacOS. The package bundles Memeo AutoBackup and SecureLockWare Encryption software to prevent unauthorized access to your data.

SanDisk, a company well known for developing and manufacturing flash-based storage solutions, is suing 25 companies including LG Electronics for allegedly infringing patents used in removable flash storage products such as MP3 players and USB flash drives. The company has filed two lawsuits, one for five patent infringements and the other for two patent infringements, as well as filing a complaint with the US International Trade Commission asking to have the companies being accused barred from exporting their products to the USA. Other companies involved include Buffalo, Apacer Technology and Kingston, and if the case is successful it could see a rise in the price of flash-based storage such as CompactFlash cards.

Following in the footsteps of Fujitsu's latest 2.5-inch 300GB external hard drive named the Calmee Moon Buffalo just introduced a shock-resistant 300GB external TurboUSB drive. This small enclosure has most likely Fujitsu's new 300GB 2.5-inch hard drive since it is the only brand that has such a small external drive in its arsenal. Coming next month the drive will be available in black and white colors and will retail for $300.

Japanese Buffalo Ltd. anounced that it will ship its first DDR3 memory modules in Japan by the end of the month. The company will offer a kit of 512MB memory modules (2x 512MB), a single 1GB module as well as a 2GB set (2x1GB). The DDR3 memory standard is considered as the successor of the DDR2 SDRAM. It promises power consumption reduction of 40% compared to current DDR2 modules, allowing lower operating voltages (1.5V, compared to 1.8V in DDR2 modules). Buffalo's new modules run at 1,066MHz((PC3-8500) and maintain the 240-pin DIMM interface of DDR2. Intel has preliminarily announced that they expect to be able to offer support for DDR3 in mid 2007 with a version of their upcoming P35 Bearlake chipset. AMD's roadmap indicates their own adoption of DDR3 to come in 2008.

Buffalo Japan is out with the DVSM-H55N/B, a DVD±RW drive burning DVD's at 20X. Available in black and white it records DVD±R DL at 10X, DVD+RW at 8X, DVD-RAM at 12X, CD-R at 48X and CD-RW at 32X. It comes with a generous software bundle for data back up, easy CD burning and data encryption. The drive goes on sale in Japan by late April for 8925 Yen ($ 75).