Why are SSDs so big? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Wayne · 2011-07-25, 09:23 AM

I guess it makes sense to standardize to a few sizes but why are SSDs made in a 2.5" form factor? Why not make them much smaller - essentially just large enough for a SATA connector and a power connector? This would make it easier to make more compact laptops and to make very tiny HTPCs in a mini-ITX form factor. I know that there are some custom form factors and there is a Mini PCI-Express version but why not have the most commonly sold versions be a smaller size?

phaeton · 2011-07-25, 09:29 AM

The reason is to make them compatible with existing systems. SSD on board on some latops are very small (looney/twoney) size. Some onboard SSD don't have a typical SATA connector. They can be connected via ribbon cable or using PCIe ports on the motherboard.

audacity · 2011-07-25, 12:11 PM

Wayne, some laptops already do this - with SSDs that look more like a stick of memory than a 2.5" HDD.

ScaryBob · 2011-07-25, 12:14 PM

IIRC, some use 1.5" SSDs.

Tech Elementz · 2011-07-25, 03:54 PM

A great example would be the Macbook Air.

recneps77 · 2011-07-25, 04:11 PM

mSATA are what you guys are thinking of - they essentially made a new SATA connector to fit these tiny SSDs

(some are PCIe direct connect, but rarer)

As for the OP, it's simply for standards.
Many laptops are slide-in vs top-mount when putting in a drive
If you make it just the length needed, and width of a SATA-interface, good luck getting that one in and out

(for a desktop, no problem provided you go to the first standard screw hole spot, so you can actually fit i in a standard case properly)

Wayne · 2011-07-25, 10:59 PM

Thanks folks - it looks like there are two smaller form factors:
2.5" half SATA and mSATA

2011-07-25, 09:23 AM	#1
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,568	Why are SSDs so big? I guess it makes sense to standardize to a few sizes but why are SSDs made in a 2.5" form factor? Why not make them much smaller - essentially just large enough for a SATA connector and a power connector? This would make it easier to make more compact laptops and to make very tiny HTPCs in a mini-ITX form factor. I know that there are some custom form factors and there is a Mini PCI-Express version but why not have the most commonly sold versions be a smaller size?

2011-07-25, 12:14 PM	#4
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	IIRC, some use 1.5" SSDs. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

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2011-07-25, 09:29 AM	#2
phaeton Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115	The reason is to make them compatible with existing systems. SSD on board on some latops are very small (looney/twoney) size. Some onboard SSD don't have a typical SATA connector. They can be connected via ribbon cable or using PCIe ports on the motherboard.

2011-07-25, 12:11 PM	#3
audacity Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 1,815	Wayne, some laptops already do this - with SSDs that look more like a stick of memory than a 2.5" HDD.

2011-07-25, 03:54 PM	#5
Tech Elementz Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: TO Posts: 16	A great example would be the Macbook Air.

2011-07-25, 04:11 PM	#6
recneps77 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Whitby Posts: 2,815	mSATA are what you guys are thinking of - they essentially made a new SATA connector to fit these tiny SSDs (some are PCIe direct connect, but rarer) As for the OP, it's simply for standards. Many laptops are slide-in vs top-mount when putting in a drive If you make it just the length needed, and width of a SATA-interface, good luck getting that one in and out (for a desktop, no problem provided you go to the first standard screw hole spot, so you can actually fit i in a standard case properly)

2011-07-25, 10:59 PM	#7
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,568	Thanks folks - it looks like there are two smaller form factors: 2.5" half SATA and mSATA