Western Digital, a name that’s become synonymous with top-tier SSDs, seems to be stepping away from the SSD scene, shifting its focus entirely to HDDs aimed at the burgeoning AI market. This shift signals the end of an era for the company.
In a move that surprised many in the industry, Western Digital has decided to pass its SSD business over to SanDisk. As reported by TechSpot, the transition will see SSD lines like WD_BLACK possibly rebranded under SanDisk’s wing. So, don’t be surprised if you start seeing these familiar SSDs sporting an SD_Black logo in the near future. Although they won’t carry the Western Digital name anymore, their production and quality control will now fall under SanDisk’s expertise.
For those who have long relied on Western Digital for their high-performance SSDs, this news may come as a shock. WD has stood shoulder to shoulder with giants like Samsung and Crucial, providing some of the fastest SSD speeds in the market. The idea of the brand fading into the background is unsettling. However, consumers can take solace in knowing that while the logo might change, SanDisk’s commitment to quality means that these products will continue to meet the high standards users have come to expect.
It’s not entirely clear why Western Digital has chosen to focus solely on HDDs, but the company sees a promising horizon in HDDs for AI workloads. As CEO Irving Tan highlighted in a recent blog post, there’s an anticipated increase in demand for HDDs, driven by growing AI needs. This makes it pretty evident that the company is gearing up to meet this demand with full force.
For consumers, this transition means SanDisk’ll now handle everything from manufacturing to customer service for these SSDs. Expect to see a shift in the product names from “WD” to “SD,” a change that piques interest and curiosity. It’s fair to say that while Western Digital steps back from SSDs, it leaves behind a legacy of quality and innovation that SanDisk seems ready to uphold and build upon.
