Specifications, Pricing and Availability

Strontium specs the HAWK Series 120GB model at 510MB/s sequential read and 470MB/s sequential write speeds. This is lower than the Python Series; Strontium's other SF-2281 based SSD. The HAWK Series is priced lower than Python, but we'll get to that a little further down. Random read performance is quoted as 50K IOPS while the random write performance is 38K IOPS.

The HAWK Series uses a 7mm z-height which will interest ultrabook users. Strontium also claims Macbook Pro (MBP) compatibility, but we haven't tested the drive in older MBPs that seem to take issue with SandForce firmware. Some MBPs only support SATA II, but downgrade SandForce drives to SATA 1.5Gbps speeds.

Strontium lists the HAWK Series pricing on their own website and as far as I can tell their website is the only place that sells these drives. The 120GB HAWK lists for an even $100 and the 240GB lists for $170. Both prices are very good and well below the magic $1 per GB mark. The Python Series is also included in the price list we have above, but those drives cost $5 more for the same capacity size. The Python also has higher performance specifications, something that I personally would spend an additional $5 for if the Hawk Series doesn't perform to our expectations.

When it comes to accessories and add-on goodies you don't receive any with the Strontium HAWK. The drive ships in an attractive package, but you do not get a desktop adapter bracket or data migration software. Strontium does back their products with a standard three year warranty.