Intel's Optane could make MacBook memory 1,000 times faster

Intel's new Optane technology could result in memory for PCs that is 1,000 times faster than current flash storage. The technology is based on 3D Xpoint, which Intel developed with Micron.

Optane was announced in the middle of 2015, but it emerged recently that the product could be compatible with NVMe, a fast storage interface that is already being used in certain MacBook models. This has caused some excitement among Apple enthusiasts looking for even faster memory speeds in their computers.

It would not be the first time for Apple to adopt others' technology should it race to use Optane memory in its products. While the company is most commonly associated with its proprietary standards, it was the first to use Intel's Thunderbolt connector in a computer. The 2015 MacBook was also one of the first computers to use the USB type C port. That was the only peripheral port Apple included in the product.

NVMe is used in other computers and Optane is expected to make its way to Windows machines eventually, although most computers today still rely on the SATA interface to connect storage drives.

The storage market is largely moving toward solid state drives, so those sourcing from China should keep that in mind. Most manufacturers from the country are focusing on SATA connectors for now, which is what most people need. However, NVMe might start cropping up more in the not-too-distant future, especially if Apple starts using Optane drives.

See a comparison table of selected solid state disk suppliers on GlobalSources.com