M.2 SSDs with self-encrypting feature

I know the SSD m.2 standard is relatively new.
So perhaps thats why it's hard to find SSDs that have self-encryption feature. (I don't like dealing with Truecrypt or other software solutions).
I did find a Samsung m.2 SSD 512GB with self-encryption, but the price is over $500.
In other formats (mSATA and 2.5), Samsung 520GB drives with self-encryption are far more in line - at about $230.
Wondering when prices will come down on the m.2 version.

 

The Crucial M550 claims to support hardware encryption. However, which length of M.2 are you looking for?

John

 

Or the Sandisk X300s M.2 (2280) (i.e., its 80mm long) here: http://www.provantage.com/sandisk-sd7un3q-512g-1122~7SNDK3JT.htm. Supports hardware encryption out of the box and is the OEM version of the Extreme Pro.

 

Thanks for the great recommendations.
I identified the part number for the 512GB Crucial. CT512M550SSD4
Funny, I can't find this sold anywhere. Tried Google, Amazon and Newegg.
I can easily find the 128GB version though
Not sure of the size constaint for the Dell XPS 13. I'll have to dig into to it. Hope it does support an 80mm drive

 

Crucial UK had a sale of the M550 a few weeks back so maybe they are being discontinued. The Micron M600 is meant to be OEM only.

You could also look for the Transcend MTS800 which comes in a range of sizes. It's not one of the big names but I've never seen any complaints about problems and there's also Liteon.

John

 

Transcend and Lite - On are massive no no for me.. Those brands will only bring trouble.. Get the M550 if you can or the Sandisk..

 

What's wrong with those? They aren't the highest performers, but they are reliable and consistent.

 

About Liteon, ask @papusan... He'll ramble a long story about how crap they are.. And quite a few people will

And Transcend.. Those guys would be the last place I would buy anything from.. I rather by the M550 or M600 if available..

 

@TomJGX You're right. Lite-on ssd/ m-sata and unknown brand are garbage. Once I run a trim command, then falls sata speed down to sata II. If I do not use trim so keep the m-sata drive full speed. I will never buy a laptop with a big ssd/m-sata from a unknown brand. I've never done and will never do it. Better to buy a laptop with the smallest SSD / m sata disk manufacturer can deliver. Better to upgrade hardware itself. I will never buy an unknown brand or bad product. My thread .. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...m-msata-64gb-issue-running-at-3-0gb-s.762179/

 

NO No NO

 

One person's issue does not a bad product make. I've had issues with every sort of SSD. I've had experience with Transcend, and have one in my Samsung ultrabook and it's been more than consistent especially for a system with a ULV CPU. For a high end system I'd definitely go with a fast name brand and preferably 2.5" Sandisk or Samsung Pro or Crucial.

 

While your experience with Transcend is more recent than mine, I've been burned by their drives more than once and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They might have improved their QC, but it would take an awful lot for me to buy another SSD from them ever again...

 

Micron M600 M.2 SSD is your best bet.

 

Where can I buy one of those? From what I've gathered so far, they are sold to OEMs only.

 

Right over here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micron-M600...?pt=US_Solid_State_Drives&hash=item4d2d716930

I know you and I both like the X25-E 64GB as well, there are a few sitting on eBay at 49$ a pop. I picked one up for my T60P and will likely pick another one up to put in the Alienware 17 as a document storage drive.

 

Lite On SSD's are **** period.. it's just not his issues, everyone with them on AW forums who notice this stuff complains.. Transcend are not on this level but I wouldn't buy their products.. rather spend a bit extra and get a proper brand like Sandisk..

 

Thank you.

I'm good with my X-25E stash as well as with the Micron SLC one. With that being said, M600 is on my short list of "must test ASAP" SSDs...

 

Instead of chasing after the M600 (hard to find, except on eBay), you might want to consider the MX200 M.2 SSD from Crucial: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=mx200 m.2&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top Nav-Search=

I have just upgraded an X1 Carbon (2nd gen) with a Sandisk X300s (the OEM version of the Sandisk Extreme Pro) and am very happy with it. If you are in the US, then the Sandisk is available from Provantage.

 

Get the MX200. That's the consumer branded version of the M600.

 

I was able to pick up a 960GB M500 for $315 shipped last week through OWC - seemed like a pretty good deal.

 

Ewwww. M500 was nothing but trouble for me..

 

Care to elaborate?


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Bought two 512's @ $160 apiece. Nothing but problems.

 

Can not be worse than a Samsung 840 Evo ..

 

What sort of problems?


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When I tried an M500 (years ago...) I didn't wait for problems.

The high heat was enough of an indictor to me that problems were inherent in the design.

(SSD's promise low power use, low/no heat issues and no noise issues. They fail in all three... the worst ones do all within a single model).

 

Oh it was worse. I'd rather have slow data transfer than complete lockups and very intermittent hangs.

 

I'll keep an eye out, but haven't seen anything of that sort yet (knock on wood). So far it seems just as solid as my M4, just with ~4x the space.

 

A M500 can work just as it should if you're lucky. While Samsung Evo does not work properly anyway and can not be healthy..