- Biwin Mini SSD Risks Obcurity without standard approval SDA or PCI-SIG
- The submission of the first SDAD SDA made microSD a universal storage success
- Mini SSD strikes 3,700 MB / s readings, crushing the ceiling of 985 MB / s of microSD Express
The Chinese storage manufacturer Biwin introduced the “mini SSD”, a much smaller format than an American penny but offering capacities up to 2 TB.
Measuring only 15 mm x 17 mm and 1.4 mm thick, it targets laptops, tablets, phones and cameras.
The sequential reading speeds are listed at 3,700 MB / s with 3,400 MB / s entries via a 4×2 PCIe connection, placing it closer to the full -size express SD performance than traditional microSD speeds.
Why universal standards count for adoption
Despite the achievement of such a speed, Mini SSD can never reach its full potential unless Biwin followed the example of Sandisk.
When Sandisk launched Microsd in 2005, then called T-Flash, he quickly submitted the format to the Secure Digital Association (SDA), the organization of the industry supervising SD card standards.
This decision allowed “a ton of companies” to make compatible cards, cementing the almost universal adoption of microSD.
Without making a similar step, the format of Biwin may remain exclusive and not to obtain generalized support.
To really replace MicroSD, Biwin must submit the mini SSD to SDA or PCI-SIG, the two most important organizations currently establishing removable storage standards.
If it is adopted, the members of SDA and PCI-SIG could then seriously consider this SSD for their devices.
The mini SSD has great potential; It is faster than the microSD Express cards, which amount to around 985 MB / s, and can correspond to the SD Express cards at 3,940 MB, which are almost twice the size.
The mini SSD machine works like a SIM tray, allowing users to eject it with a pin, making swaps or improving simple.
It has resistance to water and dust IP68 and can withstand drops of three meters, qualities which could suit mobile equipment exposed to rough manipulation.
Although it is not the fastest external SSD on the market, its small shape makes it relevant for devices concerned for space and highly portable.
Currently, M.2 discs remain faster, some reaching 14,000 MB / s, and still dominate the largest SSD category, although Mini SSD fills the gap with portability.
Two portable Chinese game consoles, the GPD Win 5 and Onexplayer Super X Hybrid of OneNetBook, have already adopted mini-machines at dedicated SSD.
