SSD for Laptops: a good thing or no?

[jjahshik32]

actually the intel x25-E is the fastest SSD out

But to answer the OP's question, i'd recommend waiting for a bit and seeing what 256gb SSD Apple is actually using. If you want some of the fastest performance out there and space, i'd go with the Samsung 256gb SSD which just went into production a little while. I recommend waiting because, even though Apple is using Samsung SSD's in its other models, its better not to risk it, and if it doesnt, you should go buy that if you want performance and speed.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Samsung-256GB-SSD,6628.html

Check that link for the Read and Write Speeds for the top SSD's out there, and you'll be surprised by the Samsungs numbers for the space they give you

I read various comparisons and I find that on most read speeds the intel x25-m seems to be a bit faster than the x25-e.

But write speeds the x25-e is faster.

 

[eron]

I'm waiting for Snow Leopard to be released. Then I will review SSD prices again and decide whether to buy one.

If I do, it will definitely be at least the speed/performance of the Intel X-25M.

I'm price sensitivity, so it depends how much SSD prices drop by then.

 

[mackonsti]

I have been reading various forums and Googling like crazy, in order to find out what is the best (if any) SSD for my MacBook Pro (end-2007) and cannot come to a conclusion, except the fact that the JMicron controller sucks bigtime, and the X-25 from Intel is beyond 'best' but rather expensive (in Europe).

Brands that came out, like OCZ, Sandisk, G.Skill, Patriot, Mtron, SuperTalent etc. seem to share this 'stuttering' problem of the current generation SSDs, nevermind the fact they use MLC chips (not necessarily a bad thing). Samsung (and Intel) are probably the only ones NOT using JMicron:

http://www.behardware.com/articles/743-1/samsung-64-gb-mlc-ssd.html

...this report gave me some hope for an immediate purchase.

From what I gather, the 2009 models will most likely use a new JMicron controller, but with cache memory embedded, so the 'stutter' will be much less. Good luck

What I have not read, yet, is how the (any) MBPro behaves when you install an SSD. How is Leopard installation? How was the formatting via Disk Utility (DVD)? Did anyone experience the Windows XP and Vista 'stutters' with Leopard 10.5.x at all? Is the chipset on the motherboard of the latest (up to 2 years) MacBook Pro's able to handle SSDs properly? How's the system, later, behaving?

In this Forum, there hasn't been a user with a clear review on a specific make/model of current (cheap) SSDs to shed some light. So any input is highly appreciated....

Thank you.

 

[abrictech]

Wear leveling is the technology that prolong the life span of SSD - making sure the erase/write activity is taking place evenly across the drive.

SSD is shock & vibration proof. You may try to drop both SSD and HDD and see which one survives after the landing.. SSD in general generates less heat, so it's more "green" than HDD.

You may want to watch the demo for the performance boost in Macbook and read the review.

However, SSD isn't cheap, like my 1st Palm Pilot

 

[lyl]

Does it have a slower read speed?

 

[rdowty]

The new Samsung 256GB is getting good reviews and is about twice as fast as previous SSD's.

 

[NightSailor]

Nonsense--SSD's will last longer than you will want them.

I guarantee you will upgrade your SSD to a larger one, long before it fails.

These devices have controllers that spread the "wear" even across the device.

You do want an SSD. You want a fast one--that is the key. The new 256GB Samsung drive is the one you want. Throughput is what it is all about.

I am looking forward to setting up four of these in a RAID array in my Mac Pro. SSD plus RAID = blazing performance.

With the new 4Gbit chips being built, expect SSD's to be in the 2TB size in two years in a 2.5" form factor.

One other thing, an SSD will cut your boot times in half!