keith smith wrote:
> I wonder how the flash-based data storage will last.  It is my
> understanding flash-based data storage has a finite life span and wonder
> what that really means.
> 
> Is it good for a year, two years, five years?  Can I add a hard drive?
> 
> It is an exceptional value and at $199 it is almost worth getting just
> to mess with.

See my comments from more than a year ago:

http://lists.plug.phoenix.az.us/lurker/message/20060504.231037.e6c110af.en.html

Much of what I said then still holds true.  However, flash memory and
flash controller technologies continue to improve and progress at a
rapid rate.  I think even a consumer grade flash device should last more
than a year these days, unless it is the cheap, no-name stuff.

I would hope that Asus is using higher grade stuff in this little
computer since it is the sole boot and data storage media.  There are
also tweaks that can be made to the kernel and system logging and other
things to drastically minimize the number and frequency of small writes
to the media.  They could also be using a file system that is tailored
to flash media.  Combining all of these factors, the flash media could
last many years.

I'd like to see a tear-down article with pictures for one of these
little computers.  That would be fun.

Alan