Xi3 Taps External HDD, SSD and Hybrid Solutions

Xi3 Corporation unveiled its first external modular storage solutions for use with the Xi3 Modular Computer: a family of storage SLID3 hard-drives and a Hybrid SLID3 hard-drive.

SLID3 hard-drives are available in solid state flash or spinning disk formats. The Hybrid SLID3 is a hard-drive that couples both solid state and spinning media into a storage solution that provides near SSD speeds at slightly more than spinning media costs. These external Xi3 SLID3 hard-drives allow users to add up to 2TB (Terabytes) of storage to their Xi3 Modular Computer system.

Housed in a shaped aluminum casing measuring 4.9375 x 3.625 x 1.6875 inches and weighing 1.0 lb. apiece, each SLID3 storage solution utilizes Xi3’s SLID3 Interlocking Technology which allows SLID3 hard-drives to be permanently/semi-permanently attached or connected to any Xi3 Modular Computer. When mounted onto a wall, these load-bearing SLID3 hard-drives will support both an Xi3 Modular Computer and an attached monitor.

"Although more and more people are beginning to store their data in the Internet cloud, we also recognize that a lot of us feel more comfortable knowing we have our data right on our desktop," said Jason A. Sullivan, President and CEO of Xi3 Computers. "That’s why we are formally announcing our Hybrid SLID3 and our initial family of storage SLID3 hard-drives for this week’s 2011 International CES trade show."

External SLID3 hard-drives will be available later in the first quarter of 2011 in the following configurations, formats and prices:

Storage SLID3 hard-drives (Solid State Flash)

• 64GB 2.5-inch eSATA SLID3 storage drive, $275.00
• 128GB 2.5-inch eSATA SLID3 storage drive, $350.00

Storage SLID3 hard-drives (Spinning Disk)

• 120GB 2.5-inch eSATA 5400RPM (Western Digital) SLID3 storage drive, $150.00
• 320GB 2.5-inch eSATA 7200RPM (Seagate) SLID3 storage drive, $170.00
• 500GB 2.5-inch eSATA 7200RPM (Seagate) SLID3 storage drive, $170.00
• 1TB 2.5-inch eSATA 5400RPM (Western Digital) SLID3 storage drive, $300.00
• 2TB 2.5-inch eSATA 5400RPM (Western Digital) SLID3 storage drive, $450.00

Hybrid SLID3 hard-drive (combination SSD/spinning disk)

• 504GB Hybrid (2.5-inch 4GB SSD linked with a 500GB 7200RPM (Seagate) SLID3 storage drive, $225.00

External SLID3 hard-drives can be mounted or attached onto an Xi3 Modular Computer or not. To mounting/attach an external SLID3 hard-drive to an Xi3 Modular Computer:

1. Detaching one of the honeycombed, chrome-plated sides of the Xi3 Modular Computer,
2. Sliding the SLID3 hard-drive into one set of channels along the top, bottom or front of the Xi3 Modular Computer, and
3. Reattaching the honeycombed, chrome-plated side of the Xi3 Modular Computer.

SLID3 hard-drives, Xi3 Modular Computers and other Xi3 products were on public display for the first time at the 2011 International CES trade show.