Brand New Intel 520 180GB SSD....looks like it's used!

I just bought this Intel SSD brand new, sealed and not a refurb from Best Buy. Out of the box it has an uneven finish on the aluminum housing and even some pitting in the metal itself. It seems to function ok though. Is this just part of the manufacturing process or should I get a replacement?

Thanks.

 

I would call up customer support from whatever company you bought it from, describe the exterior damage, and see if they'll give you a free replacement. It might work fine now, but in the future if it needs a repair and you send it in like that, they might try to pin you with user-inflicted damage, even though you didn't cause it. Better safe than sorry: get a replacement

 

Good point there. It was from Best Buy and they have no more around me and are not shipping them anymore from the web site. I have seen one review at Newegg that described similar discoloration but no pitting. This is a bummer, it was a nice sale on this drive. Oh well...guess I'll take it back.

 

No thats how the Intel drives are delivered. Its actually normal

Bought a new Intel 520. Is the chassis back plate suppose to look very tarnished? [Pics]

 

Thanks for the info. They should drop a little sticker on it to let people know it's normal. I guess it's staying in the laptop after all. Thanks all for the replies.

 

Well yes, they are shipped with that metal casing (I have both a 320 and 330, bought brand-new), but neither of them had this sort of cosmetic damage. Just the brushed metal surface and that's it.


In my experience, BestBuy has a terrible customer service department (especially the GeekSquad part), so I'd expect them to try to pull a fast one on you if you need service on the 520. You don't have to return it and get rid of it, per se. Just say that the condition of your 520 is unacceptable and demand that they replace your 520 with another 520 that isn't damaged like that.

 

I agree, the Geek Squad at my local BB is terrrible. I did not buy any extended warranties from BB but I do have 60 days return period being a reward zone silver member so I have time to evaluate it. I was just shocked to pull it out of the sealed bag looking that way.

 

His drive is perfectly normal. You might have gotten lucky and got better processed metal with your 320/330 Kuroi.

Does this look any better? (from the thread linked above)?
http://i.imgur.com/2ktKih.jpg

 

My Intel 320 looked like that and the box had the factory seal on it. The top always looks very clean, the bottom of the drive is variable.

 

From thessdreview review of the 240GB Intel 520 series SSD

Intel 520 240GB SSD Review (Round One) - Intel Releases Amazing SATA 3 SandForce Driven SSD - The SSD Review

 

I'm surprised to see a lot of those new Intel drives looking like that. Don't they have any pride in their SSDs?

Maybe I was lucky, but this is still pretty shocking to me.

 

I think they did this on purpose (and yeah, all the Intel SSD's I have opened 'new' have looked like that and worse) - the pride they have is what's inside...


Intel Inside.

 

More like Sandforce + Micron + *cough* Intel inside.

 

Yeah, wish that Intel would go back to making their own controllers.

I have one of their SandForce drives and while I haven't had a problem with it yet, I feel like my 320 will be more reliable than the 330.

 

Yeah, guess that custom firmware does help.

 

Encrypted11, you're funny - but you're right (sort of).

While the parts making up the drive are not 100% Intel - the fact that Intel puts their name on it is just as good to me - and it has been proved in the field for the last year or so (my field).

I too will be glad to see a new Intel controller again - maybe the 'consumer' version of the S3700 with a SFF-8639 connector and tuned for speed - but I am still very pleased that Intel is offering anything in the SSD space - otherwise I may very well still be using HDD's to this day (no joke).

While it is easy to bash and take potshots at Intel - I do like their philosophy as of late:

Take small, sure steps - build on previous achievements (don't slip backwards) - ensure those achievements are 'real-world' applicable and not just benchmark/marketing fluff - and keep taking those baby steps continuously. Look how far it has got them in such a short time (since 2005)...

We (consumers) will never be satisfied no matter what is offered, granted - (I too want more from them) - but what is most impressive about Intel at this point is that they obviously have a very clear vision of where they want to be. And, they're extremely focused on getting there.

That is more than can be said for most technology giants at this time. And for that they have my support.

 

Well Intel 530 is just around the corner tiller.
Leaked roadmap shows Intel 530 SSDs with SandForce controllers - TechSpot
Q1 2013 we will have 80GB and 180GB in the new NGFF format
Q2 2013 we will have 80GB/180GB with mSATA and the normal 2.5" SSD.

It should be noted that the NGFF are both compatible with the "old" SATA interface but is also compatible with the new SATA Express (for much higher speed)

Here is NGFF explained for those who are curious
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6293/ngff-ssds-putting-an-end-to-proprietary-ultrabook-ssd-form-factors

 

I agree, please call up customer support or request for a replacement. Bad luck though