Although the Kittyhawk looks like a conventional hard disk, its small size and durability make it an attractive alternative to the more expensive solid-state technology. Those of you who have purchased RAM cards realize that solid-state memory technology is expensive -- approximately five times more expensive than the rotating disk technology used in the HP Kittyhawk PSM. Twenty MBs of solid-state memory currently has a minimum OEM price of about $1,000, or $50 per MB. The HP Kittyhawk PSM offers an initial OEM cost of about $12 per MB. OEM clients will be able to purchase the initial version of the Kittyhawk in quantity for around $250 per drive.
The HP Kittyhawk PSM can be used in many applications, including palmtop, pen-based and subnotebook computers; printers, fax machines; medical equipment; and communications and digital-imaging devices. It also can be used in consumer products such as cartridges for video-game machines and in mobile products such as on-board voice/imaging mail for cellular phones and office products like digital copiers.