I am about to grab a t530 and dont really need to spring for a larger capacity SSD drive. However, i came across their models with a 500g HDD and a 32gb microSSD. From everything I can find, 32gb would be too small to put Windows 7, Microsoft office, firefox, and a few other programs. If the storage is to too small to utilize, why even offer it? what advantage does a 32gb microSSD offer if the OS, Office, etc. wont fit on it.

Thanks

hi there ...
sorry not really sure what where how u going to use this MICRO SSD in T530 .....
from what I heard the Lenovo BIOS in all T & W newer 5 series = is not able to LOAD WINDOWS on there ....

so u limited to Windows Retails version and or MOD BIOS (bios mod to me seems useless) ,,,,
we found this out on first month of prerlease of T7W 530 series ,,,,, however use only use WIN7X64 Entp.... and custom "load" for all our 2000+ thinkpads in use now

on one of our T530 - (has SSD)
FYI... juz thought to share with u our "managers" unit config:

[i]ThinkPad T530 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Part number: 2359CTO = +/- Configuration details

• Intel Core i7-3820QM Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 128GB Solid State Drive, SATA3
• 2nd 320GB HDD, 7200rpm with Bay Adapter
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
• Qualcomm Gobi 3000
>>> Tech Leaders get above with NO SSD but with 32Gb ... which we load office-OS + othere apps ; with dual boot Linux _ win7x64 Ent> etc etc and windows runs on the MAIN 320 -7mm Hybrid HDs; [/i]

There used to be a forum sponsoir for these SSDs ( link now gone) who are/were very very good at all these answers - and supplied SSD cheap & very fast reliable hardware - as I have a 128GB in my older 420s - sicne its release ..never missed a beat yet !

hope this is helpfull

Cheers

edit with entra info

Lenovo has reached a deal with Condusiv to include their software caching technology with the latest machines. This uses the 32gb mSATA drive as a software cache as described here: https://www.condusiv.com/partners/oem/technologies/expresscache/. So the drive is intended to augment the performance of the mechanical drive the unit ships with vs. being a second standalone drive. Hope that helps...
Steve