In a somewhat suprising move after the success of it's 80GB and 160GB XM-25 solid-state drives - Intel released a smaller capacity version to fill a gap at the low end. The Intel 40 GB X25V Value SATA II Solid State Drive may be a fine MacBook or Mac mini upgrade for those with modest needs. Unlike competitors with SSDs in the 30-32GB or 60-64GB range, Intel's SSD architecture started with an 80 Gigabyte drive, then 160, now down to 40 GB to shore up the low end. This is also a G2 - Second Generation drive with improved firmware - all in all an affordable choice for those who aren't data pigs with videos and tons of music clogging up thier hard drives. With it's SATA II interface, it's compatible with all Serial-ATA based Mac computers - whether with older SATA I - or more recent SATA II controller chips.

Tags: value ssd, bargain ssd, macbook ssd, mac mini ssd, apple ssd performance

OCZ pre-announced its 500GB and 1 TERABYTE COLOSSUS SSD line expected in the Fall of 2009 - This SSD will feature dual Indilinx controllers and a JMicron RAID chipset to deliver huge storage capacity, stunning performance, and the drop-in ease of a standard 3.5" form factor for desktop systems such as Intel iMacs and Mac Pro towers.

60GB SATA Agility SSD

OCZ's Midrange SSD
Bringing up the rear - for those of us with more meager budgets and smaller needs - it looks like OCZ will also revamp it's mid to 'low-end' lineup with an affordable MLC based OCZ Technology OCZSSD2-1AGT120G Agility Series SATA II 2.5-Inch SolidState Drive Is now in-stock - we'd expect this 'value' drive to deliver great performance just below the Vertex series - and make a possible phase-out of the Core and Solid series lines seem highly likely as technology marches on.

Tags: ssd for Mac Pro, value ssd