SSD for X201

I'm about to order a brand new X201 Lenovo. I will be taking it with I7-620 CPU and 4GB of memory. Lenovo asks for ~250USD to upgrade it with 128GB SSD. I'm considering to get the included 320GB HDD and do an aftermarket upgrade to a SSD. What is the best SSD of ~128GB capacity should I get in the ~250USD range? Is it worth it or should I just get the one Lenovo sells?

 

Yes pick your own SSD. I'd say OCZ Vertex 2 or, if it's cheaper, Agility 2 120GB.

 

What about Crucial RealSSD C300 Solid State Drive 128 GB , is it worth it?
Do I need a 2.5" or is it 1.8"

 

Sandforce SF-1200 based Vertex 2 is considered the fastest SSDs on the market. Though Intel X25M G2 is a pretty impressive performer too.

You comment on both the SSD and HDD. In which case have you considered a 12" HP 2540P? A bit heavier than a X201, has a HDMI port but can do a 1.8" SSD ( Vertex 2) + 2.5" HDD via optical bay caddy setup.

 

Crucial C300 excels on SATA III connections. On SATA II Sandforce is faster.

X201 uses a 2.5" drive.

 

is it possible to use the 1.8 inch drive on a 2.5 inch laptop with an adapter caddy?
the last time i checked, the 1.8 128gig c300 was way cheaper than its 2.5 sibling in newegg

 

1.8 - 2.5 Drive Adapter 3.3v support (MicroSATA to SATA)Black [SATA-MICROSATA3.3] - $35.75 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks will do the job.

 

I guess I will take the 2.5" Vortex 2....
Nando, I never liked HP's (or compaq's)....
I'm still trying to make my mind if I should "invest" in Sony Z, but it seems that Lenovo will be my choice

 

thanks!!!
10char

 

Possible, yes. Recommended? I say no.

A 1.8" micro SATA hard drive uses a different voltage (3.3V) than a 2.5" drive (5.0V). Some desktop computer power supplies can properly switch between 3.3V and 5.0V on the SATA power cable, some cannot. Some 1.8" --> 2.5" adapter caddys can properly switch between 3.3V and 5.0V, some cannot. Some laptop SATA power connectors can properly deliver 3.3V, some cannot.

You can avoid all risk of the voltage difference of micro-SATA drives by simply not buying one, and getting a true 2.5" SATA drive instead.

 

good to know, although i think the caddy that nando suggested can.
however i checked the prices of the 2.5 and 1.8 c300 128gb's just now and they are basically identical now

 

I'd recommend OCZ Vertex 2, its around $215 on Newegg. If you are tight on budget, maybe get a 60GB SSD and buy a HD enclosure for 320GB HDD. I bought this one: Newegg.com - Rosewill RX81U-AT-25A Rigid aluminum 2.5" SATA to USB 2.0 Ext. Enclosure and it's really great for $13.

 

It's $240 for 120GB

 

What about the hybrid drives like Momentus XT (or what's the name...)? Is it compariable to SSD performance?

 

There was (is?) some $25 coupon floating around. It was posted in the "bargains".

 

It's a solid performer, but I would say about the X series, they don't shield much noise. I've had four or five drives in my X series Thinkpads including some that were supposed to be quiet. I could hear all of them. The nice thing about a SSD besides the performance is they're quiet. I picked up an external for my stuff.