The present invention relates to reduction of power consumption of
electronic mass storage devices, and more particularly to such a
reduction of power consumption in mobile infotainment products. These
devices are equipped with a subsystem comprising a mass storage device
(48) and a buffer memory (43, 44). The size of the buffer memory (43, 44)
is adapted in such a way that optimally low power consumption is
achieved. This accomplishment by activating or deactivating memory banks
(45) comprised in the buffer memory chips. The amount of memory banks
(45) activated is determined by operating characteristics of the
subsystem, e.g. a desired bit-rate to be achieved for transmissions
to/from the mass storage device (48).