Buy Intel X-25M or wait for 320

[lyleberman]

Been lurking around for a while, mulling the move to SSD.
I have a 2011 macbook pro 13" and am considering purchasing the 160GB Intel X-25M. What are your thoughts on whether I should wait for the 320 or just take the plunge now ($265 for the X-25M)?
Thanks,
-Lyle

 

[desantii]

Wait, should be a week or two when they are in stock

 

[Weaselboy]

I would wait. They are purported to be more reliable and are a little less expensive.

I notice there are some Amazon vendors with the 320 already in stock.

 

[mashsensor]

i got my 120gb x25 for 150 bucks last month. so it depend on price. If you can get the prev gen at a big discount, id go with prev gen, otherwise id definitely wait.

 

[magbarn]

i got my 120gb x25 for 150 bucks last month. so it depend on price. If you can get the prev gen at a big discount, id go with prev gen, otherwise id definitely wait.

If you're dead set on the 320, I'd just take the one with the lowest price. The performance difference between X-25 G2 vs. 320 is not much. Biggest reason: lack of a SATA 3 6Gbps interface. The 320 IMHO is underwhelming as Intel dropped the ball on performance and price (it was widely speculated that the 160gb 320 would sell for the same price as a 80gb X-25, obviously that didn't happen)

 

[tka]

How is the performance different between the x25 or 320 compared to what Apple uses in the stock 120 GB SSD? I ordered a new system with a 120 GB SSD ($90 upgrade) and wasn't sure if its better to wait until the new ones come out.

If you're dead set on the 320, I'd just take the one with the lowest price. The performance difference between X-25 G2 vs. 320 is not much. Biggest reason: lack of a SATA 3 6Gbps interface. The 320 IMHO is underwhelming as Intel dropped the ball on performance and price (it was widely speculated that the 160gb 320 would sell for the same price as a 80gb X-25, obviously that didn't happen)

 

[aznguyen316]

Get the 320.. just wait for it.

 

[adnoh]

performance wise you wont be able to tell the difference so buy whats cheapest or if you want to satisfy your craving now get the x25m.

I did and i have no regrets

 

[tka]

Will it be twice as fast as the SSD that Apple uses...Pricewise, how much will a 120 GB SSD of the 320 cost?

Get the 320.. just wait for it.

 

[magbarn]

Will it be twice as fast as the SSD that Apple uses...Pricewise, how much will a 120 GB SSD of the 320 cost?

I got the 2011 MBP 15 BTO with the 128gb apple drive. I did it as for the hi-end mbp 15 it's only a $100 upgrade. Much more useful than another crappy seagate 7200.4 500gb junk drive that Apple uses for their 2.2 model (loud and slow, wd is much better) I didn't run benches on it, but it felt adequate. Gave it to my sis who put it in her 2010 MBP 13 which now runs much faster. I'm currently running a 160gb X25/WD 750gb 7200rpm setup and it's super fast for me. Now that there's a 'TRIM hack' out for OSX, there's no more garbage collection issues with Intel drives (Intel probably has the worst garbage collection as they're trying to minimize writes to the drive to maximize reliability)

 

[aznguyen316]

Will it be twice as fast as the SSD that Apple uses...Pricewise, how much will a 120 GB SSD of the 320 cost?

NewEgg had it yesterday in stock for $230 for 120GB. Sure the Apple SSD if you get it at the upgrade price is $90 which I would recommend as well. But the Apple SSD isn't that great compared to other aftermarket ones available.