Western Digital exits SSD market, shifts focus to hard drives as SanDisk takes over NAND operations

Western Digital exits SSDs; SanDisk now leads NAND ops.

: Western Digital formally concluded its involvement in the SSD market by separating its NAND flash memory operations, transferring them to SanDisk. This strategic shift allows Western Digital to focus solely on hard disk drive technology. SanDisk, already in control of flash memory operations, will continue to produce and sell SSDs. CEO Irving Tan highlights the company's focus on advancing HDD technology amid growing data demands.

Western Digital, an influential presence in the storage sphere, has opted to exit the SSD scene by transitioning its NAND flash memory business to SanDisk. This significant move was officially completed recently, signaling the end of Western Digital's direct project involvement in SSD production and sales. Known for its contributions to PC gaming through innovative SSDs, Western Digital's departure is seen as a defining moment in the history of tech and storage. The company leaves behind a prominent legacy within the gaming community, having created renowned products such as the WD Black SN850X SSD, celebrated as the best SSD for gaming.

The decision to divest from SSDs and pivot toward hard disk drives was not made hastily, with plans having been laid out and refined over time. The decision, finalized last week, saw Western Digital's SSD division spun off entirely into SanDisk. As a result, Western Digital is now tasked exclusively with the development and evolution of hard disk drive technology. This realignment positions the company to stand firmly against other formidable entities in the HDD market like Samsung and Crucial.

For gaming aficionados, Western Digital's withdrawal from the SSD market is bittersweet. SSDs have steadily gained popularity amongst such consumers, who appreciate their superior speed and heightened performance. The iconic WD_Black design, a staple within this community, faces potential obsolescence. This development marks not just a strategic corporate shift but an emotional transition for gamers accustomed to the quality that Western Digital's SSDs ensure.

Despite Western Digital's exit, SSD production continues robustly under SanDisk's management. Operating since the previous year to oversight flash memory-related endeavors, SanDisk is now fully responsible for SSD manufacturing and sales. This organizational transition was anticipated since October 2023, allowing the tech industry ample time to prep for what lay ahead. Production at Kioxia’s facilities, formerly Toshiba, has been grandfathered into the transition, maintaining continuity. Should needs arise, collaborations with other manufacturers, such as Samsung, might be forged to meet demand.

Frequently seen on products, the recognizable WD branding will likely vanish from upcoming SSD distributions. Observers and consumers alike are eager to see how SanDisk intends to brand its future SSDs, considering the potential market confusion between 'SD' branded SSDs and SD cards typically reserved for cameras and portable devices. Meanwhile, Western Digital is realigning its focus towards HDD applications as CEO Irving Tan accentuates the strategic value HDD technology offers as AI, cloud services, and expansive data storage needs rise. Irving points out that "much of the data stored by cloud service providers, including native cloud application data, runs on HDDs."

Sources: TechSpot, TechCrunch, The Verge, CNET, Zdnet

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