Need advice for SSD for T60P - read forum, but can't decide

[xsixt]

Just got my hands on a T60P, which I plan to slowly build up into a Frankenpad, but at this stage I just want to add an SSD.

I've already looked at a few threads:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=116396
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=116580
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=114290
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 9&t=119447

From a bit of research it seems 256gb would be the best bet.
New, I think my budget can handle:
Intel 530 (240gb)
Crucial M500 (240gb)

Used, I would be happy with as long as there isn't too much risk, except used drives tend to come with pitiful 1-3month warranties. Are the other good recommendations? Samsung EVO tends to be the cheapest, however someone said stay away from them.

[600X]

If you are on a tight budget, then you may want to consider a used Crucial M4 or Samsung 830. Both are excellent SSD's that, while older, have proven themselves to be reliable. Another cheap option may be a Intel X-25M G2, which is an older model as well, but regarded as the most reliable SSD by quite a few people. I'm not sure if they have bigger capacities than 160GB though.

[RealBlackStuff]

Another good run-out model would be Crucial MX100 (256GB).
Or try the new Zotac 240GB SSD, which gets really good reviews, and is very reasonably priced at $64.99
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/zotac-pre ... ve-review/
Currently out-of-stock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820016002
Currently available: http://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Premium-2-5 ... B016NY7UUO

[xsixt]

If you are on a tight budget, then you may want to consider a used Crucial M4 or Samsung 830. Both are excellent SSD's that, while older, have proven themselves to be reliable. Another cheap option may be a Intel X-25M G2, which is an older model as well, but regarded as the most reliable SSD by quite a few people. I'm not sure if they have bigger capacities than 160GB though.

Thanks for your help. The Intel X-25M G2s work out quite cheap if I want to go used so I'll keep that in mind. Crucial M4 and Samsung 830s work out be more expensive than the Intel 530 or Crucial M500 however - probably because of my location.

Another good run-out model would be Crucial MX100 (256GB).
Or try the new Zotac 240GB SSD, which gets really good reviews, and is very reasonably priced at $64.99
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/zotac-pre ... ve-review/
Currently out-of-stock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820016002
Currently available: http://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Premium-2-5 ... B016NY7UUO

Thanks for this. I originally thought a M550 or MX100 but these are both out of budget. The ZOTAC seems to be a fair bit more expensive again.

I guess the Intel 530 and Crucial M500 are looking like the most viable options. I was erring towards the Intel because it's about $10 cheaper and has a 5 year warranty.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you find $64.99 for an SSD too expensive, you better stick with rotating drives for the time being...

[xsixt]

If you find $64.99 for an SSD too expensive, you better stick with rotating drives for the time being...

Thanks for hammering that point home - I usually ignore US sites because they tend not to ship to AU (or it's ridiculously expensive) and ebay turned up a bargain US $134.85 shipped. However, I just had a look on amazon and they'll ship it to me for US $73.85.... Cheaper than the 530 and M500 locally

Edit: That said, I'm a bit hesistant to be an early adopter of this drive - any word on the reputation/reliability of the company/drive? I can't find anything conclusive. I would trust an Intel or Crucial, but these guys, I dunno...

[xsixt]

After some reading I settled on a used Intel 320 because of their bulletproof reliability and data saving power loss feature. Grabbed a used drive from ebay for cheap, thanks all.

[600X]

Some 320's suffer from the 8MB bug. While most will probably run fine, I'd still be cautious.