Mushkin: 480GB mSATA SSD ($500)

Mushkin, Inc. will begin shipping the world’s largest capacity mSATA SSD in January 2013.

As the latest addition to its Atlas family of mSATA drives, the new SSD delivers up a 480GB capacity on a single mSATA module.

"We’re excited to present our latest Atlas 480GB mSATA solid state drive, demonstrating once again Mushkin’s consistent ability to combine top performance, functionality, capacity, and low-power innovation," said Brian Flood, director of Product Development at Mushkin. "Keeping z-height as low as possible and managing to fit eight NAND flash chips and a controller on a mSATA PCB was no easy feat, but now capacity-hungry Ultrabook and notebook users can go beyond the 256GB mSATA barrier."

Specifications:

• SandForce SF-2281 SSD processor with unthrottled IOPS
• SATA III (6Gb/s) interface
• Supports ATA APM, Security Set, NCQ
• TRIM support (OS/driver support required)
• S.M.A.R.T. support
• Built-in BCH ECC (Up to 55 bits correctable per 512B sector)
• High speed MLC NAND
• MO-300 (mSATA) form factor (50.80 x 29.85 x 4.85mm)
• Mini PCIe interface
• User-upgradeable firmware
• RoHS, FCC, CE
• 3-year limited warranty

Atlas 480GB mSATA SSD (model number MKNSSDAT480GB) are scheduled to be available early January 2013 in the U.S. at select resellers and distributors and Worldwide distribution scheduled for mid-January 2013. It is priced at $499.99 and covered by a three-year limited warranty.