Apacer has formally introduced a couple of memory cards advertised as ”large-capacity MLC wide-temp SSD with CF and SD interfaces.”
We are tempted to dub the new products SD and CF memory cards, for the sake of simplicity, but Apacer apparently insisted on labeling them SSDs with CF and SD interfaces, so we will do the same.
Also, we suppose there is some reason for this choice of words. The two products might have the look of memory cards, but they possess the sort of S.M.A.R.T technology normally found in HDDs and, it bears repeating, SSDs of course.
The CF-shaped product complies with CFA 4.1 specifications and has the standard 50-pin connector. Its capacity is of 8 to 32 GB and the data transfer is achieved at up to 55 MB/s read and 20 MB/s write (PIO-6 Multi-Word DMA-4 and Ultra DMA-5 modes).
Meanwhile, the SD card supports the SDHC Class 10 standard (ver. 2.0, as defined by the SD Association) and comes in 4 GB to 32 GB. It runs at up to 19 MB/s when reading and 14 MB/s when writing.
Now that the performance numbers are out of the way, we can focus on the real perks. Not that the speeds are weak, quite the contrary, but they aren't precisely special either.
The first asset is the temperature tolerance: the CF and SD cards (or SSDs, as Apacer insists on calling them) are stable in -40°C to 85°C environments.
The second advantage is the possibility to tailor the firmware and major components to customer specifications and verification. This reduces out-of-stock risks and compatibility issues.
Other specs include ECC (Error Correcting Code) and the ATA Secure Erase command.
“Above all, this series of products adopts vendor guaranteed wide-temp MLC chips for the highest reliability and longest lifespan, while the firmware and major components of Apacer industrial SSDs can be tailored to customer’s specifications and verification, which reduces the risk of out-of-stock and compatibility issues by offering a stable supply,” the company says.
Since these aren't consumer products, prices weren't revealed. Test samples should be possible to acquire by contacting local Apacer sales representatives.
