Samsung ships first hybrid hard drives

Samsung has started shipping its first hybrid hard drives to computer manufacturers.  

A hybrid drive adds 128MB or 256MB of Flash memory to a traditional hard drive. By temporarily caching data in the memory, the drive reduces system boot and resume times.

It also increases battery life in notebook computers by limiting the need for the drive to spin. The technology can cut boot-up time in half, and increase battery life by an average of 10 percent.

The Samsung MH80 hard drives require Microsoft's ReadyDrive technology which is built into Windows Vista. They come in 80GB, 120GB and 160GB capacities.

Microsoft developed the hybrid drive technology and has provided royalty-free licences to manufacturers on the condition that it is applied exclusively in Windows systems.  

Seagate and Hitachi are also in the process of developing hybrid drives.

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