T400s (1.8") SSD prices unusually low

[ScotchDiver]

FYI,

Because of the lower demand for 1.8" drives right now, you can get an Intel 80GB X18-M for about $50 cheaper than the same drive in a 2.5" package (X25-M). I don't expect this price delta will last very long, so if youv'e been considering an SSD it's probably a good time to jump on it (just my $.02). I got one for my T400s and installed it last night, and I can confrm it is just as fast as its big brother.

I've migrated all of our Thinkpads to SSDs now (W500=X25M, T400s=X18M, X60=X25V) and I can definitively say it is the most significant performance improvement I've seen in years. Even the value drive, with half the write speed of the M models, is incredible (the X60 is only used for web and email though).

[sgossard34]

1000% agree with you! I have migrated most of my existing laptops and anything new being purchased for the business is a ssd drive.

Easily the single most noticeable upgrade we have made on our laptops in years. Users notice a difference right away. Makes the IT department look like rock stars.

Hoping to see the X18-M G2 160gb available in decent numbers soon........ If anyone knows a place that currently has stock please let me know.



thanks,

sgossard34

[boyAfraid]

@ScotchDiver,
was the x18-m you received a g1 or g2?

thanks,
bA

[ScotchDiver]

G2. I just looked at the receipt and, though there isn't a part number listed, the description is "X18M 80GB Ssd Drive GEN2 1.8IN Sata 5MM". I can confirm from the box it is a 2nd generation drive as well.

[boyAfraid]

nice!

thanks...
bA

[liblit]

Anybody had problems with the memory being flaky or the drives slowing down with time? Those are the concerns I've heard about these drives.

[ljwobker]

I've had the 160GB gen1 intel x-25m in my T400 for almost a year, and haven't noticed any performance degradation.

And +1 on the difference that it makes. NOTHING you can do to a computer will provide a more noticeable performance boost than moving from a spinning HDD to a current-generation SSD. The very early SSDs were pretty crappy, but the new ones are SuperCaliFragIlisticFast.

I've also used the OCZ Vertex and OCZ Agility drives in this machine. They benchmark a little lower than the Intels, but in my normal day-to-day usage I really couldn't tell a difference. I'm told by a co-worker who also tried both that the intel seemed "a little faster" for really intensive I/O things like source code building/patching... but that was qualitative and not backed up by any numbers.

In any case, I think you'll be fine with either the Intel or the new OCZs.



--lj

[miketoro]

X25-M: http://dealnews.com/Intel-80-GB-SATA-3- ... 48690.html

It's like Wal-Mart: falling prices.

[ThinkRob]

Anybody had problems with the memory being flaky or the drives slowing down with time? Those are the concerns I've heard about these drives.

Get a good drive and this will not be an issue for you. It's only really an issue with poorly-designed SSDs, such as those from... well... most manufacturers other than Intel and Samsung (at least recently -- Samsung's drives used to have the same issue). OCZ's absolute latest have a form of background GC that mitigates this (IIRC) as well as TRIM support -- but almost all of their earlier ones do not.

I'm told by a co-worker who also tried both that the intel seemed "a little faster" for really intensive I/O things like source code building/patching... but that was qualitative and not backed up by any numbers.

The numbers support his claim. In fact, it's not just "a little faster" -- it's several times faster when it comes to random 4K writes. It performs much better with deep request queues too.