Other World Computing today announced new 1TB and 2TB Aura SSD upgrades for the 2013 Mac Pro. With the announcement, OWC becomes the first to offer an easy, cost-effective DIY solution for upgrading the capacity of the 2013 Mac Pro. Custom engineered specifically for the 2013 Mac Pro and fully tested for compatibility, speed and reliability, the new Aura SSD for Mac Pro delivers the capacity and performance Mac Pro users need for high-speed production workflows in audio, film, photo, and graphics.

OWC Aura SSD upgrades for the 2013 Mac Pro are available for pre-order. The kits come with all of the tools necessary for a simplified DIY upgrade, including a ­comprehensive step-by-step installation video and ­24/7 award-winning, U.S.-based technical support.

Since the first Mac Pro in 2006, OWC has been a leading provider of award-winning computer upgrades and enhancement products for every Mac Pro model Apple has introduced. Building on this experience, OWC’s new Aura SSDs for Mac Pro 2013 feature:

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, today launched the 850 EVO, the latest addition to its branded solid state drive (SSD) line-up. Based on Samsung’s 3-bit 3D Vertical NAND (V-NAND) technology, the 850 EVO SSD provides a significant boost in performance and endurance as compared to its predecessor, making it ideal for use in mainstream PCs. With the slogan of “a new caliber of performance & endurance,” the new drive will be globally launched in a total of 53 countries in the United States, Europe and Asian markets later this month.

“We are thrilled to be providing users with an improved computing experience through the new 850 EVO SSDs,” said Unsoo Kim, Senior Vice President of the Branded Product Marketing team at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to introduce V-NAND-based SSDs in a variety of form factors, while accelerating the growth of the global SSD market.”

While the Samsung 850 PRO SSD that launched in July uses 2-bit 3D V-NAND for professional use in high-end client PCs and small- and medium-sized enterprise servers, the 850 EVO is built with 3-bit 3D V-NAND technology. This makes it more suitable for general consumer use in devices such as notebook and gaming PCs. With the introduction of the 850 EVO, Samsung launches the next iteration of its consumer SSD product line-up with new V-NAND-based SSDs.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM memory modules and NAND Flash applications, launches a new UC340 USB flash drive. The Choice UC340 flash drive features trim geometric lines and a clean glossy finish. Carry it on a neck strap, purse, or key chain. With SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connectivity, you can transfer anywhere between 16GB to 256GB of audio, video and data files in just a few moments. Just push-to-click the colored head to extend the USB connector. Push again to retract it. Simple, stylish, practical. Click into your style with ADATA’s UC340 flash drive!

The UC340 is a work of utterly elegant geometry. Multiple black triangular facets on its casing complement a brilliantly colored translucent body. Not a mere storage drive, it embodies the best in performance and quality within the classic lines of fashion. Simply click the USB head to extend and retract the connector quickly and easily. With no end cap to hassle with or lose, the UC340 is both convenient and easy-to-use. An amply large triangular lanyard hole matches the US340’s classy geometric design. Carry it on a key ring. Wear it on a neck strap or bracelet.

CDRLabs kicks off the week with a review of Samsung's new 850 EVO SSD. Optimized for everyday computing, the 850 EVO is available with up to 1TB of Samsung's 3-bit 3D V-NAND and, depending on the capacity, is powered by either the MEX or the new MGX controller. To compensate for the slow write speeds typically associated with 3-bit (TLC) NAND, the 850 EVO uses Samsung's TurboWrite write acceleration technology, which creates a high-performance write buffer in the SSD. It also supports Device Sleep (DEVSLP) for lower power consumption as well as self-encrypting drive (SED) technology that is TCG Opal 2.0 and IEEE-1667 compliant. Last, but not least, the 850 EVO supports Samsung's RAPID technology. By using free PC memory as a cache, RAPID can push the performance of the SSD beyond the limits of the current SATA specification.