The SSD Update: Vertex Gets Faster, New Indilinx Drives and Intel/MacBook Problems Resolved

SuperTalent’s Indilinx Drive: The UltraDrive ME

Just before I left for GDC I got another SSD: SuperTalent’s UltraDrive ME. This is SuperTalent’s Vertex-equivalent, it actually uses the same Indilinx Barefoot controller. As far as I can tell, the drive uses the same firmware as OCZ’s 1275.

While I barely had any time with OCZ’s 1275 firmware, I had even less time with the UltraDrive ME. I ran my iometer random write test to see if this thing performed like the updated Vertex; it did:

I spoke to three more manufacturers evaluating the Indilinx Barefoot controller during my time out in the bay area. The only complaints I’ve heard are that Indilinx is a very small company and the Barefoot controller is perhaps priced a little too high. With pressure from additional manufacturers, and as volumes go up, we should see these drives get even more affordable.