x200s Intel 80GB "High Performance" Drive

[escape1]

Hey guys, long time poster under "escape" (having problems getting my password back); been really appreciative of all the help in the past with IBM/Lenovo issues.

Lenovo recently added the X-25M (or what I'm pretty sure is the X-25M) as a disk option for the X200S on their site. I plan on buying the X-25M separately to save about $500, but I'm concerned about putting OEM firmware on there. I realized after posting this that it's a bit early to ask if anyone's tried to flash an X-25M with Lenovo firmware for the drive. But ansers to any of the following questions are appreciated:

1. Is it worth flashing the X-25M to use with the x200s? There's no T43 type issues with the BIOS complaining about your using a non-OEM drive, right? Any benefits besides the fall protection and possible extra power savings? I'm guessing losing those benefits isn't even that big a deal with an SSD...

2. Anyone had a related experience flashing a separately bought 64/128GB Samsung SSD and putting it in the x200s?

[Nubulin]

Wow, $668? No way the drive costs that much. Sounds to me like they are gouging for the "new and improved". I bet it is $300 in a few weeks.

[Marin85]

1. I don´t think you will need any fall protection with any SSD. It doesn´t have any moving parts, so there is no need for APS. Regarding battery life, I have read some controversial things on that matter, so I can´t comment on that.

[escape1]

Nubulin: Yeah, you'd think they were selling the X-25E or something, but they don't make that in 80GB. The X-25M is only $360 on Newegg right now, so unfortunately I'm not sure the drive will get THAT much cheaper through Lenovo. It seems like a pretty good deal to get the 160GB 5400rpm right now, then buy the X-25M separately and possibly sell the original drive. The 64GB Samsung SSD is only $310 extra, but it sounds like the X-25M is better all around...

Marin: Thanks. For battery life, I've been on using a T43 that barely gets an hour, so I think the x200s will be a satisfactory improvement over that regardless.

[Marin85]

Indeed, X200s seem to have very impressive battery life