2013 Recommended SSD for Linux (Ubuntu)

[incurablegeek]

Although I was quite the authority on G2 SSD's way back when we were all much younger, I am now a bit out of touch. Prices have of course plummeted since I purchased my Intel and Samsung SSD's. That much I do know. Who is reliable now? Well, that I don't know.

Specifically, I need an SSD for my Linux Ubuntu computer - for OS and Programs.

Since THE manufacturer changes from year to year, I would appreciate knowing which mfr. now makes the best "set it and forget it" SSD.

Please understand that I don't want to spend the rest of my natural life reading reviews but would prefer to be lazy and rely on the sage judgment of SevenForums members.

Yes, I know that was patronizing.

 

[LittleJay]

I just bought a 128 Gb Samsung 840 Pro about a month ago and I must say that I am very pleased with it. Great performance and rock solid so far.

 

[maxie]

I also have a Samsung 840 pro and am very pleased with its performance

 

[DeaconFrost]

There isn't one manjor manufacturer that stands alone, as there are quite a few quality brands. Those haven't changed in a while, so all any of us can do is give opinions. Samsung, Intel, OCZ, etc. The OS in question doesn't really matter as to which SSD.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Have used both a 128GB Crucial M4 and Kingston 240GB HyperX -- and am very satisfied with both.

OF course you realize that whatever you buy, within a few days of the, a DIFFERENT manufacturer will come out with something that is bigger, faster, and cheaper! But, that's how these things go. With SSDs, whatever one you buy will be "obsolete" within 6 months -- or sooner.

 

[incurablegeek]

As some of you may know, I have lived in Asia and worked with Asians most of my adult life. And there's one thing I know about the Koreans. They are even more neurotic and OCD about perfection than the Japanese. As a result, I am not at all surprised to learn that KIA has the most Consumer Reports "Best Buys" of all the auto manufacturers.

I too like Samsung. Heck, I've got a whole houseful of their stuff. As I mentioned, I'm hopelessly out of date with my knowledge of SSD's today. When I purchased my first Gen 2's, it was all Intel - but I found their so-called "Intel Toolbox" just flat didn't work. Furthermore, I, with many other people over at OCN and the Intel, forums came very close to insanity in our attempt to RAID configure two 80 GB Intels. Finally, we all gave up. And I guess you know I don't give up very easily. I then purchased two Samsung 128 GB SSD's and now use the 80 GB Intels for "overflow" programs (I load my experimental or "do I really need these") programs on the secondary Intel.

I do remember that in the beginning it was either OCZ or Crucial that kinda looked like a teenaged boy practicing his first moves on a girl. Lots of awkward problems. I hear even now that Crucial is still having problems Amazon.com: Biz Person's review of Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Driv...

In the beginning, Samsung SSD's were absolute dogs but Anand goes on to say:
1)

Samsung had all of the right pieces for success however. Like Intel, Samsung made its own NAND, controller and wrote its own firmware.

2)

The 840 Pro should be tangibly faster than the 830 thanks to a new controller, new firmware and new NAND

In the past I have underpurchased. That is, I thought for my Win7 machines that an 80 GB Intel would be plenty. My gosh, was I surprised. Filled that sucker up in a hurry. For this 3rd computer (and, yes, I know SSD's don't care if you're running Windows or Linux; that was a stupid addition to my post), I don't think I want to risk small but go with plenty - and not the 128 Gig. but the 256 Gigger.

More money than brains??

.... and I don't have a lot of money, so you can draw your own conclusions on that one

 

[indianacarnie]

My Crucial M4 128gb works just fine and I'm extremely happy with it. I have heard from many though that the Samsung 840 Pro is "top of the line" now.

 

[tinmar49]

I have a Samsung 840 PRO which according to AS SSD is faster than my Corsair Force 3 and OCZ Agility 3 and isn't much more expensive than any other make. Also Samsung includes some useful software. While this drive is too new to tell it's reliability, it does have a three year warranty. You might require a 3.5 to 2.5 adapter as that is not included.

 

[incurablegeek]

tinmar49, you have chosen well, my son. The Samsung 840 Pro is the top of the line, and I have always found the best to be cheaper in the long run.

By comparison, and the only comparison I am making right now, the Crucial has been shipped with defective firmware, which needs to be upgraded by the user. After that, it is supposed to run "event-free". I'm not sure I'm convinced. The Crucial is, however, much cheaper. $186.99 Amazon.com: Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD2: Electronics

The Samsung 840 Pro is $219.99 Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 Pro Series 2.5-Inch 256 GB SATA 6GB/s Solid State Drive MZ-7PD256BW: Computers & Accessories

From my experience the Intel SSD Toolbox is a lump of excrement. It doesn't work - keeps telling me it can't address RAID drives; and I don't use RAID (Intel SSD drives might not like SATA AHCI; I dunno.)

Note: Although I like NewEgg very much and occasionally buy from them, they do have a bricks and mortar distribution point in my state - and that means I must pay sales tax. So I buy mucho mucho from Amazon.

It kinda looks like I better save up and buy the Samsung, eh?

 

[tinmar49]

I forgot to mention that my 840 pro required a firmware update before using, fortunately the included software provided a variety of methods to update and also to optimise and to adjust the reserved amount of memory. I think I was in error about the warranty which is 5 years.

 

[Wishmaster]

Intel, Crucial, Samsung are probably the top 3 ATM in regards to stability/reliability.