On why I went with Apple's 128GB SSD...

[MBHockey]

I don't know why you're so sure - one could easily foresee Apple's TRIM implementation only activating for certain known & tested drive types that support this. Why is it automatically true that they must support drives they've never shipped?

Because TRIM is an industry-wide standard. If Apple wants to develop their own customized version of a TRIM-like function then it would make sense only their drives would benefit from it. But not if they use the industry standard TRIM.

That's the whole point of industry standards.

 

[shaner2000]

My argument about noticing speed fails (and might seem hypocritical) because I bought the i7 machine. But my reasoning was that I'll be keeping this machine for at least 3 years and it's easier to upgrade the memory and HDD than the video card and i7.

Yeah, that.

It was hard enough to convince my wife to let me get this MBP (although I haven't bought a new computer in 10 years), but....adding another $200 total for the increased storage of a 160GB SSD from Intel was a tough sell, when I can upgrade it later, probably for considerably cheaper.

As it is, I can take a delivery of a 128GB SSD and use the heck out of it for a few years, then upgrade later when SSD prices look more like the HD prices of a few years ago.

But, sure, I see your point of "$2500 machine - how is he having problems spending an extra $200" - but you've got to draw the line somewhere...

 

[JimAtLaw]

Because TRIM is an industry-wide standard. If Apple wants to develop their own customized version of a TRIM-like function then it would make sense only their drives would benefit from it. But not if they use the industry standard TRIM.

That's the whole point of industry standards.

That would certainly be true if Apple felt obliged to allow use of any "standard" drive in their machines - presumably querying the drive for TRIM support and then using it if available (and assuming this standard is fixed and uniform). But they could just as easily enable TRIM only for certain drives that they know support it - i.e., TRIM off unless a drive model # x, y, or z is in the machine. I don't think their implementation necessarily has to support all TRIM enabled drives.

 

[allendsmeet]

Space could be an issue. Personally I'd choose the i5 with the intel vs the i7 and the other SSD's though

LOL @ the "Voice of Reason". The more you natter on this thread the more obvious it is that you have cognitive dissonance over your own purchase of an Intel X-25M and are asking yourself, "Did I really need to blow the extra cash?"

Personally, I think you're pretty silly if you'd choose an Intel SSD for more $ over an i7 instead of an i5. Here's why you're a fool:

(1) The i5 will never be upgradeable to an i7 in the MacBook Pro.
(2) For someone like the user you're arguing with and accusing of having made a buying error, listen to what he's saying, which is what I'm saying because I'm in the same shoes and chose (WISELY, I'll add), to buy the 128GB SDD from Apple.

- When upgrading from a standard 7200rpm drive to Apple SSD *OR* Intel X-25M, we'll notice a considerable difference.
- We'll only have to deal with one manufacturer for all technical issues after purchasing an AppleCare Protection Plan.
- Aftermarket value of an i7 > i5 in MacBook Pros by at least the cost of the upgrade, making the cost nill in the long-run.
- Aftermarket value of hard drives continues to drop steadily as sizes increase, despite the value of a MacBook Pro dropping more slowly (see eBay for reference). I just sold my 15" MacBook Pro from Oct., 2008 for $250 less than what I bought it for 15 months ago (Proof: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Apple-MacBoo...ItemQQimsxZ20100120?IMSfp=TL100120236001r1812). How? I posted it on eBay Australia, where they fetch a higher price. This point is a smack in the face to all the cry-babies that justify buying Sony Vaio, Dell & HP crapboxes over a Mac. If you can't afford it, fine, we get it. But if you're actually going to come out and say that because Apple hardware is more expensive it isn't worth buying, then just brand an "L" into your forehead, because the aftermarket value of your crapbox will pale in comparison to my MacBook Pro 1.5 years from now when I upgrade to another sweet piece of Mac, and you go buy your 3rd crapbox because the other 2 fell apart (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8H33jo7gmQ). It's called depreciated value. Look it up.
- It's smarter to upgrade from the 500GB 5400rpm drive to a 128GB SSD from Apple based on price, then buying a third-party SSD for 128GB, and then selling off the 500GB 5400rpm, which won't even fetch $100 aftermarket. Meanwhile, another 128GB SDD will that only shows a subtle difference will have cost over $200 more than the Apple 128GB SSD upgrade. Again, an exercise in stupidity.
- Lastly, I intend to get a 256GB-512GB SSD a year from now when that 256GB drive you just paid $700 for drops to under $350, and thanks to early adopters like yourself, we all know it will

 

[314631]

These new Apple SSD's are truly revolutionary. The performance I'm seeing from my new MacBook Pro is really incredible. I have managed to cut my working day by at least 2 hours. That's how incredible and magical the technology is inside the latest MacBook Pros from Apple. I wouldn't buy anything other than an Apple professional laptop coupled with Apple SSD with TRIM technology. The compromises involved with tolerating other brands are just unacceptable to me.