Thinkpads Forum

It's an old question but times move on and the previous threads are likely not relevant now.

So - new SSD into ultrabay III adaptor - what would be a good choice of SSD now - make at least?


I'm looking for 120GB-200GB ish - it will hold the OS, home directory (linux) and VMWare disks for Windows. "Media" files (16000 photos and few vids) will be left on the slower internal HDD. I'm aware the T410i only supports SATA II, so as long as I can max that out (read speeds more important than write speeds), I'll be a happy bunny

But above all else, I'm after reliability - this disk is going to get a fair hammering - something flash used to have a reputation of not liking.

Any pointers or completely wild theories welcome

My default choice right now is something Samsung based on outdated knowledge -

Cheers!

Tim

Anyone?

Welcome to the forum!

In my opinion any Lenovo FRU would be best. I have deployed hundreds in the last few years without a failure or a compatibility issue.

The SSD's that I have seen Lenovo offer are Intel, Samsung, Toshiba and Micron of various sizes and capacities ranging from 64Gb to 480Gb.

Of course your mileage may vary.

My .02c.

Brad

I've got about 15 SSDs and counting from almost every major brand. There really is not one that is superior to another though some are marketed much better than others. When choosing a SSD I'll pick one that is on sale from a major brand (Intel, Samsung, Crucial, Kingston, Sandisk, etc).

It's better to have a sound, regular and distributed backup system for all important data then to get the most expensive SSD that might live through WW III. I still have my high school (1989) PASCAL program codes even though it would be a challenge to compile and run on today's machines. Even the most expensive and reliable cars can fail and having a multi-million dollar home is no guarantee that there won't be any problems. Just as the most expensive SSD, from the most reliable brand, from the best retailer, made from the best NAND chips ever made can potentially fail. Having said that you don't hear consistently, across many forums, that SSD X from brand Y is a consistent failure. Not like the days when Sandforce 22XX controlled SSD first came out.

So get something cheap in the capacity that you need and enjoy. Back everything up in triplicate and expect your shiny new SSD to one day fail.

I've stuck to any OEM Lenovo brand, if so equipped when purchased.

For upgrades, I've been very happy with 1) ANY Intel SSD and 2) SanDisk Extreme drives (the 120GB, 240GB & 480GB have been reliable and really fast - SATA III).

underclocker wrote: SanDisk Extreme drives (the 120GB, 240GB & 480GB have been reliable and really fast - SATA III).

I've got a few of these and must admit I like them too. Don't know why I like them above my Samsungs and Intels as none have failed and all are about the same speed.

Where I live there are some good sales on the Extreme drives. I suspect this is to make way for the new Extreme II coming soon. AndTech have a good review on the Extreme II.

I think the Sandisk SSD's are the best bang for the buck, and probably one of the faster ones if you get the 256gb plus model. can be picked up for $150.

Thank you everyone

Looks like Sandisk Extreme it is. I've always trusted their CF cards.

I had been toying with Intel or Samsung too. I'm cautious about SSDs having had a dire experience with a Crucial v4 which became unreadable on the inode backing the /sbin directory !!

Many thanks for all your feedback

Tim

I've always used Intel, but it seems things have moved on and they're not necessarily the bulletproof drives they once were.

Looking around Anandtech it seems like the Samsung 840 and 840 Pro are great drives at the moment. The pricing of the 840 is pretty incredible, compared to the prices of SSDs even just a couple of years ago. 500GB for £250! I think I paid more than that for a 120GB drive a couple of generations ago.

Hope that helps. Have a look around Anadtech though - very informative site.

S