How do solid-state hard drives (SSD) compare to hard disk drives (HDD)?

I think anything like an iPod or iPhone uses solid state. I know they are incorporating that into the MacBook air. They use less power because they do not have to revolve.

they are going to last longer, as they don’t have the mechanical spinning disk. fewer moving parts, less heat production.

I thought there was a relatively small number of times SSD sectors could be written to before going bad (relative to HDD).

SSDs are more “durable” than HDDs—in the sense of resistant to drops—but I believe they wear out faster under conditions where data is regularly being written and overwritten (as on a hard drive).

IMHO the MBA is still quite a niche product, for ‘executive’ types that don’t do hard-core multimedia/audio/video work on the go;

I think by its preliminary measurements and technologies-namely the SSD option, hard-soldered RAM (ouch!), and 1.6/1.8 GHz proc., the MBA in its current state is too slow for most professional multimedia work; most audio/video editors, designers, etc., contend that even the ‘top rung’ MacBook Pros can only do some basic ‘cuts only’ editing, and basically do just that on plane trips or hotel rooms from gig-to-gig (my experience).

Now on to answering your question:

This wiki describes advantages/disadvantages for SSDs.

Since they are two different technologies, it’s difficult to measure performance on R.P.M.s alone-but ultimately the issues for comparison are speed, bandwidth (how much data throughput is possible-the width the data “pipeline”), and durability/power consumption/robustness each medium has.

I wouldn’t stake my claim on one of these puppies for my day-to-day work, but I guess if I were going ‘on vacation’ and needed to tote something beyond an iPhone, this could be a nice go-to option.

The SSD will be faster than a regular notebook drive. How much faster? SSD drives perform quite a bit faster—like twice as fast—in some tests (benchmarks at end of article). It’s unclear what that means in terms of real-world performance, or what particular drive the MBA is using. When the MBA starts shipping there will be plenty of benchmarks around.

SSDs do not wear out faster than traditional hard drives.

Solid state drives are a better technology, and if money (and storage capacity) isn’t an issue, the SSD is a better option. But then again, if you want the fastest notebook on the planet, you’re better off with a Macbook Pro.

@bob

Solid state truly does seem amazing. I think I’m going to go with the Sony VAIO Z. I was originally going to go with the F, but it is not available with an SSD (although it is in the UK, fuck you Sony) and it’s a little big. The SSD is not the only reason I’m strongly considering the Z, but it is a big part of why I am. Thanks for the info, everyone.