I have a Vertex 3 in hand...

[daneoni]

...but i'm running out of excuses to keep it. I just had it delivered today and i haven't even opened it. I want to update the firmware (for the new idle power draw) but i only realized recently that some SSD (cross-platform hardware) FW updates are OS specific which i find ridonkulous...i mean it's 2011! At this point i'd already ordered and could no longer cancel.

I was going to refuse delivery but as fate would have it, the delivery dude knocked once and by the time i opened the door he was gone with my package left on the Welcome mat. Now i'm sitting here staring at the package wondering if i can be bothered to dig out my Win XP CD (i have no clue where it is or if it still exists) and start the PITA procedure. I've read OCZ forums and i'm not even sure i STILL know what to do. I can't do the Linux method because thats even more of a PITA.

Also will i really be doing this every time a new FW update comes out? which is likely seeing as SATA 3 drives are still largely experimental. I sit wondering if it is worth the hassle at this point in time...yet the geek in me is urging me rip open the package and get started.

 

[p1ngputts]

I just bought mine about a week ago and haven't done any updates yet... Does anyone think it's possible that there will be an easier way in time to do these updates? I'm new to the mac world and this seems extremely complicated.

 

[JasonH42]

It really isn't that bad with a Linux ISO image - just burn it to a CD and boot off it, no need to install or anything. Then run the firmware flasher off a USB drive.

You really don't need to update the firmware anyway. I ran a C300 with original firmware for over a year with no problems. I'm running twin Vertex 3s in this MBP with about 5 hour battery life - when I need to run off battery, which really isn't very often.

And I've never used TRIM either.

 

[daneoni]

It really isn't that bad with a Linux ISO image - just burn it to a CD and boot off it, no need to install or anything. Then run the firmware flasher off a USB drive.

You really don't need to update the firmware anyway. I ran a C300 with original firmware for over a year with no problems. I'm running twin Vertex 3s in this MBP with about 5 hour battery life - when I need to run off battery, which really isn't very often.

And I've never used TRIM either.

But i hear few (if any) Linux distros support the 2011 MBPs (Networking I/O) so theres always an error.

Edit: I also just realized that i actually need Win 7 because XP is no longer supported and therefore no bootcamp drivers are provided for the 2011 MBPs. Nice.

I just bought mine about a week ago and haven't done any updates yet... Does anyone think it's possible that there will be an easier way in time to do these updates? I'm new to the mac world and this seems extremely complicated.

Sandforce is apparently working on OS X update compatibility but who knows when that'll surface.

I'll probably just install the drive as is because i'm curious...it's my first SSD after all.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

But i hear few (if any) Linux distros support the 2011 MBPs (Networking I/O) so theres always an error.

Wait, is there no linux distros/iso that are confirmed to work with the 2011 MBP

Sandforce is apparently working on OS X update compatibility but who knows when that'll surface.

hmm, have they not been working on an native OSx updater for how long now - really taking the piss - sandforce need to pull the finger out!

I'll probably just install the drive as is because i'm curious...it's my first SSD after all.

hell ill take it off ure hands if u dnt want it matey ...lol
but seriously id give it a chance - i would of ripped it open and had a play around

 

[daneoni]

Wait, is there no linux distros/iso that are confirmed to work with the 2011 MBP

The latest Ubuntu might be the only one if at all.

hmm, have they not been working on an native OSx updater for how long now - really taking the piss - sandforce need to pull the finger out!

I'm not holding my breath either.

hell ill take it off ure hands if u dnt want it matey ...lol
but seriously id give it a chance - i would of ripped it open and had a play around

I might actually consider it seeing as we both live in London and i've yet to open it (still reading up on Linux updating). I wan't to see if i can update it before doing an OS install which i hear is good practice.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I might actually consider it seeing as we both live in London and i've yet to open it (still reading up on Linux updating). I wan't to see if i can update it before doing an OS install which i hear is good practice.

kewl PM: matey if u wanna sell it - im in se1 and have tons of spare time atm to piss around with this linux stuff and then rant to ocz if/when the drive f's up!

but ive been thinking of copping a v3 for some time now!

 

[JasonH42]

Latest Ubuntu (11.04, 23-bit) and PCLinuxOS LiveCDs both fail to boot on my 2011. Will try some others...

 

[Weaselboy]

There is some discussion in the OCZ forums about this here and here.

 

[daneoni]

Latest Ubuntu (11.04, 23-bit) and PCLinuxOS LiveCDs both fail to boot on my 2011. Will try some others...

Just as i thought. Win 7 is the only option for 2011 hardware.

There is some discussion in the OCZ forums about this here and here.

Those are for Indilinx drives and wont work on Vertex 2 and above which use Sandforce.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

ive got win7 on bootcamp - as i like to play a couple games once in a while


boi i love study leave

 

[JasonH42]

Latest Ubuntu (11.04, 23-bit) and PCLinuxOS LiveCDs both fail to load on my 2011. Will try some others...

Fedora 14 and openSUSE 11.4 also fail to load. This is likely due to my config though with Vertex 3s in both the HDD and ODD bays and external CD; somebody in another thread said Ubuntu 11.04 worked for them.

 

[daneoni]

ive got win7 on bootcamp - as i like to play a couple games once in a while

boi i love study leave

Haven't owned an OS from MS since the reign of Win XP SP2 which came with my then Dell tower. All gaming is done on the Xbox.

 

[awer25]

Don't worry about updating it. Mine is on the stock 2.02 firmware and works perfectly, and I get almost 7 hours if I only use the integrated GPU and don't access the spinning HDD too much.

 

[daneoni]

Decided to install it seeing as johnny was no longer interested in taking it off my hands. Installation was painless and i actually liked the packaging...felt somewhat luxurious. There is definitely a speed boost. Spotlight was done indexing in just over a minute, i don't see spinning gears anymore when booting, launched all apps in my Application folder in a matter of seconds whilst the UI was still responding to my input and things are generally just blazing fast.

I ran AJA and i get the results below. Will continue to play with it and see how if any issues pop up (already alerted the retailer to have an RMA on standby just in case). But so far no major hiccups...only gripe/nitpick is that i can't get the FW to 2.06.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

Decided to install it seeing as johnny was no longer interested in taking it off my hands. Installation was painless and i actually liked the packaging...felt somewhat luxurious. There is definitely a speed boost. Spotlight was done indexing in just over a minute, i don't see spinning gears anymore when booting, launched all apps in my Application folder in a matter of seconds whilst the UI was still responding to my input and things are generally just blazing fast.

I ran AJA and i get the results below. Will continue to play with it and see how if any issues pop up (already alerted the retailer to have an RMA on standby just in case). But so far no major hiccups...only gripe/nitpick is that i can't get the FW to 2.06.

matey - thats quite respectable speeds -

sorry, i just wanted make sure drive was new n u had receipt - but then i think will wait till i come back from tibet in July - when hopefully the max iops vsn will be more reasonable in the uk

 

[daneoni]

matey - thats quite respectable speeds -

sorry, i just wanted make sure drive was new n u had receipt - but then i think will wait till i come back from tibet in July - when hopefully the max iops vsn will be more reasonable in the uk

Fair enough. I wouldn't have bought this either if i hadn't gotten a 15% discount off it.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

Fair enough. I wouldn't have bought this either if i hadn't gotten a 15% discount off it.

the thing is i really want a v3 quite badly atm - i noticed u're benchmarks in the other thread and they are pretty impressive - i know they are not what ocz publicise but still blows the others out the water!

also, pretty strapped cash atm since im goin travelling, if i do cop a v3 now and it doenst work, it would be a PIA to RMA before i go away

 

[awer25]

the thing is i really want a v3 quite badly atm - i noticed u're benchmarks in the other thread and they are pretty impressive - i know they are not what ocz publicise but still blows the others out the water!

also, pretty strapped cash atm since im goin travelling, if i do cop a v3 now and it doenst work, it would be a PIA to RMA before i go away

Just my $0.02...if you're leaving soon and want a V3 (and have the cash), it's worth picking one up from someone where you can see it in action first.

 

[p3t3rsn]

the thing is i really want a v3 quite badly atm - i noticed u're benchmarks in the other thread and they are pretty impressive - i know they are not what ocz publicise but still blows the others out the water!

also, pretty strapped cash atm since im goin travelling, if i do cop a v3 now and it doenst work, it would be a PIA to RMA before i go away

IF you can wait a tad longer I would. The Corsair Force 3 with 85k IOPS (vs Vertex 3 60K IOPS and Vertex 3 "Max IOPS" w/ 75k IOPS) looks to be "the" SF2000 to beat...but it could also just be marketing hype. The Crucial M4 which is still the "other" SSD that is a beast.

With that being said...its not like the std Vertex 3 is slow or anything. So if you need one now...its not a "bad" choice by any stretch!

 

[Macsavvytech]

IF you can wait a tad longer I would. The Corsair Force 3 with 85k IOPS (vs Vertex 3 60K IOPS and Vertex 3 "Max IOPS" w/ 75k IOPS) looks to be "the" SF2000 to beat...but it could also just be marketing hype. The Crucial M4 which is still the "other" SSD that is a beast.

With that being said...its not like the std Vertex 3 is slow or anything. So if you need one now...its not a "bad" choice by any stretch!

Meh, i bet it will have a Aussie "Crucial Price" too. For free of course that extra Aussie price difference will be added
Now to find a seller without the extra Aussie price difference ...

 

[Nox Darkness]

I think Coasair force 3 ssd will be a fast ssd that is coming out soon. The price is cheaper as well.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I think Coasair force 3 ssd will be a fast ssd that is coming out soon. The price is cheaper as well.

wow - ure right im seeing the corsair force series 3 for £411 at scan.com
vs £430 ocz vertex 3, £505 for oc vertex 3 max iops (boths 240gb)

Although, i have very little knowledge of corsair ssds, and if they play nice with the MBP - so will hold out until early adopters have tested and confirmed compatibility

My instincts and heart says to wait till July - as does my wallet!

 

[Nox Darkness]

wow - ure right im seeing the corsair force series 3 for £411 at scan.com
vs £430 ocz vertex 3, £505 for oc vertex 3 max iops (boths 240gb)

Although, i have very little knowledge of corsair ssds, and if they play nice with the MBP - so will hold out until early adopters have tested and confirmed compatibility

My instincts and heart says to wait till July - as does my wallet!

Yeah, it's the same for me as well but I must say that it's tempting when I know that there is a vertex 3 that is available right now. I hope I can last that long