Patriot launches SandForce-based Inferno SSD range

Patriot today joined the many manufacturers who have recently launched SandForce-based solid-state drives, announcing the availability of its Inferno drives. Armed with the SF-1222 controller, the 2.5-inch SSDs boast maximum read and write rates of 285MB/s and 275MB/s, respectively. Those speeds are increasingly common, as Corsair, OCZ and Mushkin have models with similar, if not identical specs.

As you might expect, both Inferno models feature wear-leveling algorithms courtesy of SandForce DuraClass technology, and they're bundled with a 2.5-inch to 3.5-inch mount for desktop installation. The drives are currently shipping in 100GB and 200GB capacities via your standard e-tailers, including Newegg, who has them in stock for $369 and $679 – quite a bit cheaper than OCZ's Vertex 2.

Of note, Patriot backs the Inferno line with a gracious five-year warranty, whereas most other companies offer three.

Sharp IS01 smartbook ships to developers

Sharp has begun shipping its IS01 smartbook to developers in Japan, while a consumer release is planned for June – sooner than the previously expected October launch. The developer version, JN-DK01, ships with an SDK, access to the Android SH Developers Square site, and contains Android 1.6 API along with Sharp's own extended API for "infrared data transfer, LED flashlight, camera, opening and closing [notifications], and file picker."

The IS01 is more compact than a conventional netbook-style device, toting a 5-inch 960x480 capacitive multitouch display, a trackball, 4GB of internal storage which is expandable via microSD, and a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Other specs include an FM transmitter, 1Seg digital TV tuner, as well as EVDO modem and phone functionality, but developers won't have access to all those features initially – if ever, according to Pocketables.

It's worth noting that the unit has no Google apps, such as Gmail and YouTube, nor does it provide access to the Android Market. There's no word on pricing or availability to other regions.

Gigabyte shows X58 mobo with seven PCIe 2.0 x16 slots

Gigabyte has launched a new motherboard that begs the question, who needs PCI slots anyway? Built around Intel's flagship X58 chipset, the GA-X58A-UD9 is home to seven PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, but not one PCI, PCIe x1 or any other expansion slot for that matter.

Powering the slots is two Nvidia nF200 chips, which deliver support for four-way SLI or CrossFire setups. The XL-ATX motherboard is also fitted with six DIMM slots ready to tackle DDR3 2200+ RAM, 12 SATA ports (two of which support 6Gb/s), two USB 3.0 ports, and dual gigabit Ethernet.

Additionally, the GA-X58A-UD9 boasts a 24-phase power design with "mutual back-up to each 12 phase," an onboard debug LED for simplified troubleshooting as well as power, reset, and clear CMOS buttons. Overclocking features include dual BIOS ROMs, hardware overvoltage control IC, an overvoltage and temperature reminder, and more.