When it comes to computers, thin is in. With every passing year, it seems laptops, tablets and other devices become more svelte. Some people decry this design direction, saying what we have is "thin enough", and yeah, I get that, but manufacturers should never become complacent. As long as the thin nature doesn't compromise the overall experience, I'm all for it.
Today, Transcend announces a super-thin 1TB M.2 SSD that is designed with a focus on Ultrabooks. Remember folks, PC manufacturers need to source thin and light components in order to keep pushing the envelope. A thin high-capacity drive such as this, while not super-fast, can definitely find a home in some future computers. This all-new 1TB variant joins the existing capacities of 32GB-512GB.
"By utilizing the next-generation SATA III 6Gb/s interface, Transcend's MTS800 is capable of delivering sequential read/write performance of up to 560MB/s and 460MB/s respectively. The newly released spacious 1TB supplies the MTS800's capacity to its full scale ranging from 32GB to 1TB, which is determined to satisfy the needs of various market fields and individual consumer with personal budget plans", says Transcend.
The company further explains that the SSD, "features multiple built-in technologies for optimum protection, including Error Correction Code (ECC) that helps detect and correct potential transfer errors, Device Sleep mode to reduce power consumption and shorten the response time upon wake-up from Sleep or Hibernate, and the S.M.A.R.T. function to efficiently monitor SSD health conditions. More standard mechanisms include Intelligent Block Management and Wear-leveling algorithm to protect data integrity and prolong SSD lifespan".
The company shares the following specs.
| Capacity | 32GB, 64G, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 80.0mm × 22.0mm × 3.5mm (3.15" x 0.87" x 0.14") |
| Weight | 9g (0.32 oz) |
| Storage Media | MLC NAND Flash memory |
| Operating Voltage | DC 3.3V±5% |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C(32°F) to 70°C(158°F) |
Unfortunately, this drive is not cutting-edge when it comes to speed. While the SATA III interface will be plenty fast for many, an NVMe PCIe controlled card would be much faster. It is a bit odd to see Transcend refer to the SATA III interface found on the MTS800 as "next generation"; in 2016, that is simply not true anymore.
Still, I rather like Transcend flash products, and the 1TB capacity is quite attractive. Ultimately, it will be price that determines its worth, but cost is not yet known. If it is affordable, it may be a smart buy as an upgrade to an existing laptop (or desktop) that only has a SATA III controller.