Crucial M4? Seriously?

[bozz2006]

It seems like that's the general consensus as the best option for a new SSD. Really? There's nothing better than a year old model with poor read speeds?

Seems like my year old Vertex 3 would still be a better option. Let alone the Vertex 4. Am I way off base here?

 

[bobcan]

YES.. Very Serious.. Kinda..

Unless you like another.. then NOT as serious..

Honestly, Samsung 830/M4.. Pick 'em..

 

[G-Mo]

Poor read speeds on the M4? Not that I've noticed in day to say usage on the one I have in my MBP.

 

[randy98mtu]

My m4 only gets 500 MB/s read speeds. Just horrible.

So glad I got my m4.

 

[bozz2006]

I should say, relatively poor random reads. More indicative of performance than sustained reads. Just curious that a year old drive is the best there is. And trying to figure out why it's better than my Vertex 3. I want to replace my 128GB drive with a 256GB. But would like to upgrade models too. Don't see how the m4 is an upgrade. Just finding it weird that a year later, there really is no upgrade.

 

[G-Mo]

And trying to figure out why it's better than my Vertex 3.

Reliability.

 

[bozz2006]

Reliability.

Well, I went through two failed Intel 320s in a month before replacing them with a 100% problem free Vertex 3. And the reason I went with the Intel in the first place was their rep for reliability. I admit I have kinda sour grapes over that.

 

[G-Mo]

 

[bozz2006]

I.... stand corrected

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So... Vertex 4, anyone?

 

[G-Mo]

To be fair, when initially released, the Vertex 3 did have better results, but then Crucial updated the M4's firmware from 0002 to 0009, and you see the results above.

Also, I believe the failure rate on the Vertex 3 is about 3/100 vs 1.5/100 with the M4.

 

[Bluedog54]

My m4 only gets 500 MB/s read speeds. Just horrible.

So glad I got my m4.

Love love love my M4

 

[insimbi]

M4 all the way! Just installed mine last week - couldn't be happier!

 

[negativzero]

Best bang for buck SSD out there. Won't use another SSD till the M5 comes out.

 

[Krazy Bill]

Almost 6 months using mine. Not so much as a hiccup:



Paid over $700 for the 512GB back then. It's now down to "just about" $1/GB at $550. Crucial did have some screwy firmware at one time but has since rectified those problems.

 

[Weaselboy]

Well, I went through two failed Intel 320s in a month before replacing them with a 100% problem free Vertex 3. And the reason I went with the Intel in the first place was their rep for reliability. I admit I have kinda sour grapes over that.

I remember that. Everybody (me included) told you to go with Intel for reliability and you got jammed by that 8MB bug right out of the gate.

From speed tests it looks like the M4 is in the average range with other SATA III SSDs. I would lean towards something like the M4 over others simply BECAUSE it has been out for a while and the firmware bugs have been worked out. Also, the M4 is one of the few that has a Mac compatible firmware update solution.

The Vertex 4 looks like it is using a variation of the Marvell controller used in the M4, so it may turn out to be reliable also.

 

[getz76]

Well, I went through two failed Intel 320s in a month before replacing them with a 100% problem free Vertex 3. And the reason I went with the Intel in the first place was their rep for reliability. I admit I have kinda sour grapes over that.

My Vertex 2 failed after about 8 months. RMA process is a pain.

The Crucial m4 is currently in my MacBook Pro.

 

[macmastersam]

i don't give a crap how fast my SSD will be as long as it is faster than a previous 7,200 RPM hard drive, and it does what it says on the box.

 

[Bwa]

I have three M4s and two OWC SSDs. All working fine. The M4s are faster than the OWC 3G, but that's not surprising.

 

[Krazy Bill]

i don't give a crap how fast my SSD will be as long as it is faster than a previous 7,200 RPM hard drive, and it does what it says on the box.

I have higher standards. Any SSD had better kick a platter drive's ass to no end. That's the whole point of paying those higher prices.

 

[grahamnp]

Really? There's nothing better than a year old model with poor read speeds?

Read speeds may not be the best but they are by no means, poor as shown above. All modern SSDs are so fast, sometimes it's worth the trade of in speed to get the reliability and good support and Crucial has a good reputation for both.

 

[SDAVE]

The general consensus seems to be:

Crucial M4
Samsung 830
Intel 520



Personally I'm waiting for the Samsung 830 256GB to go on sale so I can grab it. 512GB would be nice, but I don't see it being ~$300 until late next year.

 

[dylin]

I really enjoy my crucial M4. Best upgrade I've done so far on my late 09 MacBook.

 

[mzjin]

I should say, relatively poor random reads. More indicative of performance than sustained reads. Just curious that a year old drive is the best there is. And trying to figure out why it's better than my Vertex 3. I want to replace my 128GB drive with a 256GB. But would like to upgrade models too. Don't see how the m4 is an upgrade. Just finding it weird that a year later, there really is no upgrade.

Uh, I've owned first generation Intel X25-M drives, second generation Intel Drives, Sandforce drives, now Crucial drives..... there is no perceivable difference in performance for desktop use. Not 3 years ago and not now.

Sequential speeds are generally even more useless. The only thing I've ever cared about is stability.

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My Vertex 2 failed after about 8 months. RMA process is a pain.

The Crucial m4 is currently in my MacBook Pro.

Wouldn't touch an OCZ product. Never did even when all they made was very shoddy memory, and stayed farther away as they went into SSDs.