Intel Unveils 120GB SSD: The X25-M Sweet Spot

120GB of Intel SSD goodness for under $250.

If you wanted to grab an Intel X25-M SSD for your desktop or laptop, you're like faced with the option of going with the 80GB or 160GB model. While the prices on the G2 models do scale well with each other, the 80GB may be too small and the 160GB may be too expensive.

If that was a dilemma that you are faced with, then Intel has a new solution for you – the 120GB model that's less than 50 percent more expensive than the 80GB model.

The new 120GB X25-M has an MSRP of $249, while the 80GB is now at $199 and the 160GB is at $415. If that's still to spendy for you, then there's the $99 entry-level 40GB Intel X25-V "boot drive."

"Every Christmas, consumers are looking for the latest tech gadget; this year, with prices dropping, the solid-state drive is becoming more mainstream and can make the single greatest improvement to PC performance," said Troy Winslow, director of product marketing for the Intel NAND Solutions Group. "With an SSD, tech shoppers can give the gift of a technology makeover that will help speed up, or breathe new life, into a current PC by just swapping out the hard drive for an SSD."

Of course, these are still running the 34nm Postville flash, so those looking for speedier solutions should wait for the 25nm Postville Refresh.