Intel cuts SSD prices, boosts 1.8-inch SSD production

A new price cut for Intel's solid state disks has gone in effect, DailyTech reports the chip giant has cut the MSRP of its 80GB X25-M by $50 while the 160GB model got a $100 price cut off the MSRP. However, street prices are even lower than this due to competition from new disks such as the OCZ Vertex.

The 80GB X25-M has dropped from $390 to $320, while the 160GB model saw its price decline from $765 to $630. The 32GB X25-E for servers dropped $25 to $390, but the 64GB version remains at $795.

DailyTech also heard Intel will be making more 80GB and 160GB solid state disks with a 1.8" form factor, these models are aimed at notebooks. The 80GB X18-M should be available for around $340 now.

Intel will also be making available more 80GB and 160GB SSDs in the 1.8-inch form factor. The retail supply of the X18-M series has been limited since its launch. These drives are used mostly in netbooks and smaller laptops which are space constrained.

More and more competition is entering the solid state disk market with decent disks, and Intel is expected to counter these with new models by late 2009. This will include a 320GB MLC and a 128GB SLC drive.