x220 SSD options

[charlieo]

Hi all,

Looking through the April tabook I don't see any x220 models with SSD although the specs say "some" have SSD. Does this indicate that SSD may not be available at first release? Do we know what the SSD options might be?

Thanks,
Charlie

[ZaZ]

The X220 use a 7mm drive, either platter based or SSDs, which are thinner than standard 2.5" drives. Intel drives are 7mm. That seems like a good bet, but your guess is as good as mine as what SSDs will be available upon release or which they'll use. It's usually cheaper to upgrade it yourself anyway.

[Q-Ball]

Intel 320 is what they're going to use: it's slow, it's cheap for Lenovo, and it's 7mm without spacer and 9.5mm with spacer.

Since they're going with Intel, and Lenovo has been using the X25-M G2 series so far, it's only logical that they step up to the G3, err, 320.

Having the 320 is a unifying factor in the fact that every computer Lenovo sells can take one: the 7mm's do without the plastic rectangle and the 9.5mm's use it just to make it thicker.

[charlieo]

Thanks Q-Ball.

So between the lines are you also suggesting that a better option is to buy a different SSD and upgrade? What would you recommend?

Assuming I did go the upgrade route, would the "enhanced experience" stuff (e.g. fast boot/shutdown/etc) work the same as the Lenovo option or do you think that these features are going to be closely tied to the Lenovo-supplied SSD option?

Charlie

[jvarszegi]

I wouldn't call an Intel late-model SSD "slow". Their reliability and good performance makes them an excellent all-around choice. An X220 with an Intel SSD will be a speed demon. Enjoy your supercomputer and don't obsess over unimportant trivia, is my advice.

[daggins]

I bought a Crucial C300 for my X220. It was EASILY modded to remove spacer. I was even able to salvage the void warranty sticker on the side in case I need to replace the spacer. The screws will be too long to replace the cover, however. I had some small torx screws laying around that fit perfectly. I scrounged them from an old 2.5" IDE HDD. The Crucial C300 is Sata 3 (6GBs) so it is absolutely perfect for the X220.

PICS!
http://imgur.com/a/PNHQ8

[Solee]

The m4/C400 does appear to come in 7mm form too.

This is the model no: MTFDDAK256MAM-1K1

[Sthor]

I have just installed a Kingston HyperX 240GB SSD Read 525MB/S Write 480MB/S in my X220 and it seems to be working great.
Since it is a 9.5mm SSD it needed to be modified by removing the blue plastic cover but that was easily done using a T5 safety Torx, then covering the circuit board with tape finally moving the rubber sleeves from the old normal HDD onto the SSD.

Maybe not the most beautiful solution but it works GREAT and it is FAST

[babahsu]

Just installed a Kingston HyperX ssd 240GB. Used a 1.5mm Security Hex bit to remove the screws. Didn't bother to 'preserve' the warranty sticker but hopefully it will last more than five years.

[titomiky]

Good evening,
I'm thinking of buying X220T 4299 and a Kingston HyperX SSD, but the Kingston disk has 2.5" x 1/8H format (10 mm height).

Do you know if it's compatible with the laptop or I have to adapt it like Sthor did?

Thank you very much in advance!
Miguel

[Stevo]

There are more slimmer drives available now, although I know that the Intel 320 is one of the easiest to adapt. There's a lengthy thread on the notebookreview forum on x220 SSDs which is worth reading.

S

[seneca]

One thing that is worthy of consideration for the X220 is the possibility of using mSATA SSD's. They mostly come in the same sizes as regular ones in 2.5" form factor.

I use one Intel 320 80gb mSATA SSD and kept the original 320gb 7200rpm hdd as bulk storage. Just a suggestion.

[http302]

You can actually get 2.5" SSDs up to (and probably exceeding here shortly) 512GB, whereas mSATA (MiniPCI-E interface) seems to be stuck at 80gb for the Intel model and 128gb for lesser-brand units. This is mainly due to the very small form-factor of the PCB, allowing for (only) two DRAM chips on the mSATA PCB, versus 8 or more chips within a 2.5" 7mm enclosure.