mSATA SSDs

Couldn't find any threads about them, so I'm starting one.

Couple questions here. What do you guys think are the best available (considering performance, price, capacity) at the time?

What do you think of the MyDigitalSSD's? They seem to be relatively cheap compared to others, and offer higher capacity (128GB) than some other companies (like Intel).

I'm starting to see SATA III mSATA SSDs. What machines can run 6GB/s mSATA cards?

 

Honestly, none ATM.

If you can live with the capacity of 80GB then Intel for performance and reliability, it comes with 3 years warranty.

MyDigital's Bullet Proof is a fix if you need larger sized mSATA but the 1 year warranty and mediocre performance considering the the capacity doesn't exactly make this mSATA cheaper than others, reliability beyond the 1 year warranty is still up for question.

There's the OCZ Nocti which comes in 120GB capacity and has 3 years warranty but on the downside it has a SandForce controller and performance isn't all that either again considering the size.

Runcore has a cutting edge 6Gbps T50 that comes in 120GB capacity, has 3 years warranty and the performance is very good. But like the OCZ Nocti it has a SandForce controller and for the price of T50 you're better off setting up a caddy for a full size SSD.

 

Go to the TabletPCReview section and there are many threads about mSata SSDs. You can also go there and look under the Asus>EP121 section and there are many there too. I believe they also are reviewed in the Lenovo and HP areas there.

 

Yep, most of the (relatively few) machines that do support mSATA have only SATA II interfaces. If raw speed is the primary goal, you're probably better off looking at 2.5" SSDs. The general "snappiness" that SSDs afford will be the same between SATA II and SATA III, though.

 

I've summarized recent mSATA SSD offerings at http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...sata-1-8-sata-ssds-available.html#post6978065

 

Thanks, guys.

I might just wait until Intel offers a higher capacity drive. Or maybe if Samsung starts selling theirs. Though MyDigital is kind of tempting.

I think 80GB is too low. I would prefer to use it as the sole drive in my laptop (a Lenovo T420s, BTW), then use NAS/USB drives for everything else. So I need space for Windows as well as programs, for which 80GB is not enough.

Anything with a SandForce controller is out of the question, for obvious reasons.

I'll check out the other places you pointed to and see if I can come to a decision.

 

If you just need a sole drive in your T420S and use NAS/USB drives for everything else why not get a full sized 2.5" SSD?

 

I have one. OEM Intel 320 160GB.

I've been thinking about the mSATA primarily to cut down on weight. I also think it might help airflow for cooling by freeing up space, but I don't honestly know the extent to which it would help, if at all.

I would give my current drive to my partner, who still lives in HDD land. So it wouldn't go to waste or anything.

Anyhow, I'm now leaning against the mSATA idea for a few reasons. First is the price -- they're too much more money over 2.5" options. Second is my 2.5" bay is SATA-III, the mSATA is not. Third is reliability questions regarding a new technology. Finally, I question whether any benefits (weight, temp) would even be noticeable over the 2.5" drive I already have. (This final concern essentially conceding that you're probably right, Nemix77.)

Still, I find the technology interesting and cool. And I'm glad I have the capability to use one.

One more thing I've wondered about the mSATA format: given that I already have a 2.5" SSD for OS and programs, would there be any benefit in getting a small mSATA drive for caching? Or is that only beneficial for someone using an HDD?

 

How does MydigitialSSD 64GB mSata compare to Kingston SSDNow mS100 64GB?
Are they using 34nm nand?

 

Thank you for your info.