Buying laptop SSD

[ICIT2LOL]

I bought and installed a crucial M4 128GB drive in my desktop2 and now want to replace the HDD in the Toshiba laptop but am thinking of a different brand for this.

I was looking at the Intel 520 series 128GB @ $205 and was quite mpressed by the specs.

But as a matter of cost cutting I did also look at the Corsair Force GT series 120GB – $160 (alternative Corsair Force series 120GB @ $195) and the Patriot Pyro SE 120GB – $159 (alternative the Patriot Wildfire 120GB @ $225 – a shade under the Samsung - $229).
The Corsair Force GT however looks to work only with a 6Gbs interface whereas the rest all support 1.5, 3, and 6Gbs. The speed of the Wildfire if the ad is right is amazingly fast.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I'd go for the SAMSUNG -- the reason I say this (apart from the fact they make excellent phones and TV's) is that with the SSD you get quite a useful USB===>SATA cable connector -- this makes it easy to say use the usb disk you've taken OUT of the laptop like an external USB drive -- why not format that one and use it for backup.

You don't need this cable to install the disk in your laptop - just plug it in to the same place where you remove the old one --takes literally seconds.

Another use for this cable is that you can then after imaging your OS (backup) restore it to the SSD easily and you can then boot your computer straight away.

The price of all these 128 GB SSD's is around the same and performance on these newer models is also outstanding.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[bobkn]

The Corsair Force GT however looks to work only with a 6Gbs interface whereas the rest all support 1.5, 3, and 6Gbs.

If you check with Corsair, they claim that the Force GT is backward compatible with SATA 3 Gbps. They don't appear to say anything about 1.5 Gbps.

This isn't intended to advocate for the Corsair Force GT (although I'm using one). However, you shouldn't write it off for 3 Gbps compatibility issues, unless you have information that contradicts Corsair's specs.

 

[LittleJay]

Installed a 128 GB Corsair Force III SSD in my HP laptop a few weeks ago and have been very pleased with the performance so far.

 

[essenbe]

The Crucial M4 with data transfer kit comes with the USB cable also. Although I have nothing against Samsung, I have one of their laptops with 2 SSDs in it. The Samsung gets good reviews and has very good numbers.

 

[alishathomaz]

Samsung is better than others.. its 2.5" Ultra Slim Line. Its price is also low.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Sorry for late reply folks - email gone down again!

Ok looks like the Samsung is the one of choice but it is the most expensive too so might hold off until the price comes down a little. Having said that the supplier I usually use has just dropped the Intel 520 series by $20!

Hum decisions decisions

 

[jimbo45]

The Crucial M4 with data transfer kit comes with the USB cable also. Although I have nothing against Samsung, I have one of their laptops with 2 SSDs in it. The Samsung gets good reviews and has very good numbers.

Hi there
Interesting idea --but how do you fit two SSD's into a laptop -- or is it one of those that have a built in one and you can install another disk in the same place that normal laptops have for the HDD.

Is it only a Samsung laptop that can fit two SSD's == might be my next laptop if this is the case.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[essenbe]

The Crucial M4 with data transfer kit comes with the USB cable also. Although I have nothing against Samsung, I have one of their laptops with 2 SSDs in it. The Samsung gets good reviews and has very good numbers.

Hi there
Interesting idea --but how do you fit two SSD's into a laptop -- or is it one of those that have a built in one and you can install another disk in the same place that normal laptops have for the HDD.

Is it only a Samsung laptop that can fit two SSD's == might be my next laptop if this is the case.

Cheers
jimbo

It has a place for 2 hard drives as well as a DVD/CD drive. one of the reasons I bought it. There are several laptops that are designed to hold 2 hard drives, most are the 17" models.