The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Would you buy Samsung pm841 msata?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by pathfindercod, Aug 29, 2013.

  1. pathfindercod

    pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,343
    Likes Received:
    2,345
    Trophy Points:
    181
    I think you dont really get support from Samsung because these drives are meant for system builders and they dont offer direct end user support. Am i wrong in thinking that? Granted if it works it works and no need for firmware updates if there are no issues. However, there is no option for firmware updates for end users who buy these directly from say Amazon or wherever or the worst case the drive dies. How would you warranty the drive if Samsung doesnt offer direct end user support/replacement.

    Now, if I am totally wrong on all this, how long is the warranty on the pm841?
     
  2. pathfindercod

    pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,343
    Likes Received:
    2,345
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Ok, well called Samsung. They said they will not and do not warranty non retail products for end users. The manufacturer of you laptop has to warranty it. So I wont be getting these i reckon. Ill stick with my Plextor m5m's for now.
     
  3. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,740
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    I have an pm841 128gb and Samsung Magician v4.2.1 Software does not recognize it, it can do an benchmark but it take 10min.

    John.
     
  4. Black Dog

    Black Dog Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Also be aware the PM841s use TLC nand and are 840 equivalents, not 840 pro equivalent. This is a head scratcher from samsung. Why they don't offer a consumer msata drive is beyond me, as they would surely dominate that market as they dominate the 2.5" line. It seems odd that they've conceded that market to others.

    As to the PM841, personally, I'd avoid the 128GB version, as it's the worst performing drive and has latency issues, but the 256 and 512 drives are very good if you can get them through your vendor (and get the vendor warranty).
     
  5. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,740
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    My tablet/notebook came with the pm841 pre-installed or i would have bought a 256gb at least, also as far as i can tell from web searches the pm841 uses MLC flash memory not TLC.

    John.

     
  6. Bullrun

    Bullrun Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    545
    Messages:
    1,171
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Black Dog is correct. I went right to the source, Samsung confirmed in an e-mail that it is TLC. Mythlogic also confirmed it through their rep. The web ads are hit and miss, some show MLC and some show TLC.
     
  7. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,740
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Thanks for the clarification

    John.

     
  8. Bullrun

    Bullrun Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    545
    Messages:
    1,171
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    101
    No problem. I was impressed that Samsung responded.
     
  9. pathfindercod

    pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,343
    Likes Received:
    2,345
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Yeah.. I have pretty much ruled them out. I am using two Plextor m5m's (256gb). one in my AW 14 and One in my AW 18. They are pretty dang dang for a msata drive. I pretty much already decided to just add my standard 840 pro as a another drive to each for applications/games...
     
  10. Black Dog

    Black Dog Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I'm using a 256 m5m as well. an excellent drive for less than $200.