Adding an SSD to a MBP

So.. I have a 320GB hard drive in my MacBook Pro (2007) and using 200GB of that. So swapping out the drive for an SSD is not an option - too expensive and there aren't even fast 256GB SSDs yet.

I figure I would not need more than 32GB of fast flash memory to make this machine fly. I would put the OS on it, all applications, my development files (code), and put all the large stuff like media on the HD. That would be an ideal setup. Speed of SSD, size of HD.

I have:
- An unused ExpressCard slot
- An unused DVD superdrive. I can't even remember when I last used the DVD drive. It's useless to me, yet taking up a lot of precious space in my laptop. Its only purpose right now is to make an annoying noise when the machine wakes from sleep.

I would like to either replace the DVD with a small fast SSD or get a small fast SSD in my ExpressCard slot.

I did a quick Google and found nothing on either. I found a few very cheap ExpressCard SSDs which look like they are going to go over the USB bus - that pretty much guarantees bad performance right there. A fast one would need to make use of the Serial ATA connection in the ExpressCard spec. Didn't find any.

I also found nothing on replacing the DVD. Am I the only one who has no use for it? I imagine it would be pretty hard to put an SSD in its place because it has a pretty different form factor to a 2.5" hard disk, and all SSDs seem to follow that form factor. But maybe not those in the netbooks?

 

I think you're SOL... ExpressCard SSDs hasn't picked up so development is poor in that area. Unless there is a modular bay adapter, you're probably going to be stuck with the DVD drive too.

 

Did more digging - I think so too

Oh, well.

 

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20081119006508&newsLang=en

Basically, wait a lil while.

 

Here's something you might want to take a look at, if you are willing to lose the DVD player. This is a part of my own post in that humongous SSD thread, but surprisingly no one made any comments at all. :-( If you are willing to try this and replace your DVD player with a SSD, please do let me know how it went!


" [...] get two x25-m and replace your CD/DVD with a Optibay chassis and create a RAID 0 array. (LINK 1) I would do it myself, but I'm short of cash right now. [...]

EDIT: 1) Redirected the link to the original article. Read the comments for more info!

2) From the comments you can see that you do not have to limit your options to Optibay. There is another firm that sells similar product(s) that are a lot cheaper. (LINK 2)"