Intel Corp. plans to release several new solid-state drives (SSDs) aimed at different types of customers in the second quarter of 2011. The company will launch new storage devices for enterprises, thin-and-light notebooks as well as consumers seeking to speed up their daily routines, according to a source familiar with Intel's plans.

For enterprise customers seeking for maximum reliability amid relative affordability, Intel intends to release its new 700-series SSDs code-named Lyndonville this quarter. The Intel 710 "Lyndonville" family of solid-state drives will be based on enterprise-grade MLC-HET NAND flash memory produced using 25nm process technology, will be available in 100GB, 200GB and 300GB capacities and will utilize Serial ATA-300 interface. The drives will be available in 2.5" form-factor.

The world's largest maker of chips also plans to add three new solid-state drives in 1.8" form-factor to Intel 320-series family. The new SSDs for thin-and-light notebooks will be available in 80GB, 160GB and 320GB capacities and are projected to offer performance in-line with previously released 320-series solid-state drives (up to 270/220MB/s sustained read/write speeds, etc).  Just as the original 320-series SSDs from Intel, the new drives will be powered by multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory made at 25nm node.

The third type of solid-state drives that Intel plans to release shortly is 311-series code-named Larsen Creek, which is designed for speeding up PCs powered by Intel Z68 core-logic set. Intel Z68 chipset - high-end core-logic for Intel Core i-series "Sandy Bridge microprocessors in LGA1155 form-factor - will feature so-called Smart Response Technology (SRT), which is a special hardware/software caching mechanism for SSDs and hard disk drives (HDDs). The technology will attempt to accelerate boot time and runtime reads and writes by caching the content of hard disk drive onto solid-state drive. The solid-state drive will have 20GB capacity, will use 34nm single-level cell (MLC) memory and will have either SATA or mSATA connectors.

The rather massive additions to Intel's solid-state drive lineup proves that SSD business becomes very important for the top chipmaker.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Intel, SSD, Flash, NAND, lyndoville, Larsen Creek