Word on the street is that Western Digital has decided to bow out of the SSD business, shifting gears to focus exclusively on producing hard drives specifically for AI applications. This move signals a significant change in the storage landscape.
In an intriguing twist, Western Digital’s SSD operations are reportedly being taken over by SanDisk. It’s suggested that popular lines like the WD_BLACK could soon re-emerge under SanDisk’s banner, possibly rebranded as SD_BLACK. This transition highlights the current struggle for traction in the consumer market within the storage industry. It follows a similar exit by Solidigm, pointing to broader market challenges. According to TechSpot, Western Digital has opted to concentrate on their core expertise in hard disk technology, leaving their SSD operations to SanDisk. This means that, while the familiar Western Digital logo may fade from these products, they’ll continue under new management.
For many, this news comes as a shock. Western Digital has long been a staple in the SSD market, often mentioned alongside giants like Samsung and Crucial for their top-notch, high-speed SSDs. Watching this well-regarded brand step back is unexpected. However, the change doesn’t spell the end for these products. Under SanDisk’s wing, their quality is expected to hold steady, and consumers can look forward to continuity in performance.
So, why the shift? Though Western Digital hasn’t fully laid out their reasons, it seems they’re banking on better prospects in the HDD market, especially for AI workloads, which they believe will see growth. Recently, WD CEO Irving Tan discussed the anticipated rise in HDD shipments due to increasing market demand for AI, indicating where the company’s priorities lie moving forward. It appears SSDs are being set aside, at least while artificial intelligence remains a hot topic.
For everyday users, with SanDisk now at the helm, it’s expected they’ll handle everything from supply chain logistics to customer support effectively. Moreover, keep an eye out for a potential rebranding of SSD products – the “WD” might soon transition to “SD.” Though it’s the end of an era for Western Digital in SSDs, they’ve undoubtedly left a lasting impression.
