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Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: RHPConsult on June 11, 2010, 03:29:24 PM

Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: RHPConsult on June 11, 2010, 03:29:24 PM
Solid State HD

Is this something to recommend to one of my "kids" who needs an upgrade?
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 11, 2010, 04:14:24 PM
I doubt it. First, I'm assuming you are talking about an internal system. For $200, OWC will give you a 1TB 2.5" Western Digital 5400rpm HD. I'm not fond of WD drives and would probably rather buy the 500GB 7200rpm drive for $96. If it's an desktop upgrade, you could probably get two 1TB drives for $200! One for internal and one for external use.

SSDs are faster in some cases but a HD is better in others and are much less expensive. They'll come down in cost, eventually. But the manufacturing is much more difficult than the creation of platters for HDs. I'm not sure SSD memory will ever be as space efficient as iron particles... wink.gif

...later, I see that the Buy.com deal is called a "desktop bundle." Thinking.gif The reason it's on Buy.com is (surprise) it's a discontinued model. And don't forget to use the mail-in coupon...but it's a good price...and many swear that SSDs are great. Just depends on what is needed, faster boots or most space for the buck! dntknw.gif
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: RHPConsult on June 11, 2010, 04:32:37 PM
Which is one of the reasons I asked if anyone knew whether all the "gadgetry" might "fit" in an MB-P.
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 11, 2010, 04:40:20 PM
Well, I saw "laptop" bundles, also. But who knows what the difference is? Maybe thinner cables? dntknw.gif You might give Kingston a call and see what 'support' can/will tell you.

But, unless it's a very old MBP, I'd think the space will decrease with his setup over the HD already in there. dntknw.gif Surely the MBP has more than a 128GB hd. But I haven't talked with Shirley in a while... Groaner.gif
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Paddy on June 11, 2010, 05:06:49 PM
How big a drive does the MBP have now? As Jim says, it's unlikely that it will be smaller than that 128GB SSD. My 2007 MBP had a 120GB drive in it when I bought it three years ago (just for comparison). I've since upgraded it to a Western Digital Caviar Black 320GB drive. Zooom! Unlike Jim, I'm very fond of my Western Digital Caviar Blacks - both the laptop and the desktop editions. Fast, quiet, and have 5 year warranties AND a solid reputation that pretty much beats everything else short of enterprise class drives.

But...sadly, 128GB is pretty small these days and if it's more space that's needed, this likely won't cut it unless we're talking about one of the earliest MBPs.

200GB SSDs are still way up around $400. And it just gets ridiculous after that...
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 11, 2010, 06:35:38 PM
BTW, I've had no experience with late model WD drives, times and reputations can change! And a five year warranty is great! yes.gif I trust the ladies recommendation, even though I've yet to get any cookies in the mails... tease.gif Always blaming those teenage boys... rolleyes.gif
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: jchuzi on June 11, 2010, 06:55:02 PM
Virtual1, a frequent contributor to the FineTunedMac Forums (and a professional IT man), prefers WD to almost all other brands. He has had lots of experience and discourages people from using Seagate because of all the problems that he has had with their drives. He likes Hitachi also. My experience has only been with Hitachi drives. I installed two in my G4 DP 450 and now have four in my Mac Pro. All of them have performed flawlessly. I gave the G4 to a friend and the drives are still perfect after 9 years.
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Jack W on June 11, 2010, 07:53:01 PM
IAW Jon.

I have (2) Hitachi 1TB drives in external FW - USB-2 eSata Macally G-S350SUA enclosures.

Love them.

FWIW

Why buy SSD now, unless you have the money to burn and like to live on the leading edge?

- Jack
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: Paddy on June 11, 2010, 10:40:11 PM
Jon, I like Hitachis too - I have 3 of 'em in my Mac Pro. The 4th and most recent drive is a WD Caviar Black and my MBP's new drive is also a WD Caviar Black. I've been avoiding Seagates for over a year now - the last two I bought had to be returned because the cache size was incorrect (not recognizing the full size) and the software to flash the drives' firmware to correct the issue was Windows-only and wouldn't run under emulation. dry.gif That, combined with a ridiculously high failure rate if you check NewEgg's reviews, has kept me away.
Title: How does something like this "work", say. as an MB-P upgrade
Post by: RHPConsult on June 11, 2010, 10:49:28 PM
Got (all) the messages!    whistling.gif

Thank you, good friends!     notworthy.gif

Case closed.     Devilish2.gif