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For a new MBP, OEM SSD vs Aftermarket
- Thread starter gonewestcoast
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Intel is the best TODAY but not for long. In the near future, expect new drives based on the Sandforce controller (OCZ Vertex 2, Runcore V) to be even faster. They come out in March. Then, expect Intel's 3rd-gen drives to beat them again when they come out Q3 this year.
This is a case where the market is evolving pretty fast and at least for the next few years there will always be a 50% performance jump waiting just around the corner. One thing to consider is that the update will likely still have only SATA 3Gb/s, limiting transfer rates to 250MB/s, something all the latest drives all run into, so if you're waiting for a better drive to put in your new MBP, you may be paying for something that is only fast with 6Gb/s SATA.
I'm going to stick with the Intel 160GB drive as it is still crazy fast, unless Apple waits forever and doesn't ship until mid-March in which case I'll get an OCZ Vertex 2.
A 3rd option is that Apple updates their SSD line out of the dark ages. Right now, their SSD is beat by a factor of 100 (by Intel x-25m g2) in some benchmarks. If Apple gets something reasonable I may just get theirs, to simplify warranty service.
This is a case where the market is evolving pretty fast and at least for the next few years there will always be a 50% performance jump waiting just around the corner. One thing to consider is that the update will likely still have only SATA 3Gb/s, limiting transfer rates to 250MB/s, something all the latest drives all run into, so if you're waiting for a better drive to put in your new MBP, you may be paying for something that is only fast with 6Gb/s SATA.
I'm going to stick with the Intel 160GB drive as it is still crazy fast, unless Apple waits forever and doesn't ship until mid-March in which case I'll get an OCZ Vertex 2.
A 3rd option is that Apple updates their SSD line out of the dark ages. Right now, their SSD is beat by a factor of 100 (by Intel x-25m g2) in some benchmarks. If Apple gets something reasonable I may just get theirs, to simplify warranty service.
Will we know on day zero of release what brand SSD they upgraded to? Or do we have to wait for someone to open one up?
Best to be safe. There's been cases of people losing their extras as they've been replaced with stock parts.
From what I've read, this is the main reason to replace any hdd upgrades with your stock drive.
OWC is selling a Sandforce one now:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce
No specs, but presumably similar to the OCZ one...
If you have to ask, then perhaps you should rethink upgrading.
You need to go somewhere else with that state of thinking. We are all mac users here and we have experiences with hardware that some dont. it's always nice to get help from someone who knows about the best products. WE don't undermine people... That's a Windows (Personality) atribute.
I installed an 160GB intel in my mac and the performance boost is pretty significant from my 320GB scorpio black which is faster than most OEM apple drives.
I still feel I paid too much though.
I still feel I paid too much though.