one more time SSD really worth it?

Here is the deal:
I can have a Thinkpad T410s for 1165USD (before tax) with a 256GB HDD or the same configuration for 200USD more with 128GB SSD.
Now is it really wort it?
Or let me rephrase this: is it worth the money now for someone like me who, browses only the web and uses office applications + watches videos , and never ever plays games or uses any other hardward demanding software.
Also, I do need storage space: for my photos, for movies.In short, i am a pretty average user who appreciates speed but not when it comes at too steep of a cost. Should I wait until SSDs become more the mainstream on the market? Or do you really think that I'll get much more out of computer if I have it? (please be specific when you say opt for the SSD option).
thanks guys,

christina

 

I say, that if you switch now, you won't want to switch back possibly, but if you don't, you will never feel like your already fast hard drive is too slow.

I don't know, I never saw one perform for real so...

 

SSD makes your computer respond quicker overall. The OS feels more responsive.

Don't get one if you can't go over the capacity issue.

I don't think you should buy SSD from the manufacturer. When you upgrade it yourself, you will know what kind of performance you will get.

 

mrPico,
i don't understand exactly why buying it from Lenovo would be a problem? I've read somewhere that they use Intel's quality SSD and get a good bargain on them. Is that wrong?

 

additionally: does the SSD have any impact on noise level of a laptop? (by that I mean does it have any significant influence on the fan activity). What about battery life?

 

$200 for a 128G is nice deal.

 

Intel doesn't make a 128gb SSD, you will probably get a Samsung SSD but for the usage patterns you outlined above, it should be more than adequate.

As far as noise goes, you will not get the typical HDD spinup and vibration from a mechanical device activating.

Going from an HDD to an SSD isn't nearly as noticeable as going from an SSD to an HDD -- I think it is because of the high expectation and early adopter cost. Yes it is most definitely worth it. You are getting an SSD at around $1.56/GB. Similar drives are retailing aftermarket north of $2/gb.

 

Characteristics Of An SSD:

Silent As There Are No Moving Parts
Cooler As There Is Not a Disk Spinning at 7200rpm
Less Fan Use As It Is Cooler
Longer Battery Life As The Fan Is Not In Use As Much
Durable with an Expected Life Span of about 130 Years.
Typically several times faster than a HD in Most Windows Functions.

 

Thanks Sgilmore62.
I am now probably still leaning toward the HDD option. Just because all I do is really office+web browsing with my computer. It seems to me that in this case the speed updates won't be too noticable. I do see the point with battery though: that's something one might want to consider..i.e. if it gives some extra 10% or something. That would translate into 30 more minutes of battery life in case of Lenovo batteries.
Argh, I hate buying technology when it's still not the mainstream market for I feel one always pays a price-up.

 

The fact that so few early adopters have expressed buyer's remorse over splurging on an SSD should say a lot as to whether or not it's worth every penny. This is one of the few things in life that actually meets or even exceeds people's expectations.

However, if budget or capacity is an issue, there's no harm in going with an HDD. An SSD, like an HDTV, is one of those things that you can't truly appreciate until you've tried it and then tried going back It's not like you'll feel that something is missing if you do choose to go with an HDD.

 

Peon, I think that I can easily imagine what you mean.My rationale tells me to stick with HDD option for this time being though my inner desires are craving for SSD. not sure if that makes sense to any of you.

btw. is there a weight difference too? the HDD that lenovo offers with t410s is 256gb, 5400. Solids are 80gb Intel and 128GB Samsung.

 

Well, you can always go with the HDD for the time being, and if you do give in to the dark side at a later date, upgrade to an SSD.

Replacing the drive yourself is easy, not to mention that it's almost always much cheaper than paying the manufacturer upgrade price. There's more selection, too.

SSDs are lighter than HDDs. Then again, laptop HDDs are pretty light to begin with, so we're talking about differences of something like 0.1 pounds.

 

I just bought a 160 gig intel ssd drive for my lap-top, I paid 450.00 for it. That is alot of money but it was worth it, everything is faster and more responsive in windows 7.

 

Okay, let's try to play a little game and guess the future now:
Now I would have to pay pay extra 200USD for 128SSD (Samsung).
How much will I pay for a 256GB (something I would get now in HDD now) in a year time, but with SSD? Is it reasonable to assume that the price of SSD will go down by 50% in a year or two? In other terms that in a year or two I could buy a 256GB SSD for 200USD?

 

It cant be predicted. The main cost of the ssd is the memory within and all revolves around that.

 

Instead of playing games and predicting the future, why don't you just buy a small solid state drive now? Based on your usage, you won't have more than 30GB of OS/programs, and you can always move your music/pictures/videos to an external hard drive. I'm using a 60GB OCZ Agility which I bought for ~$156 and I love it. I moved all of my media files to my external hard drive (which was formerly my main hard drive) and cloned my existing installation to my solid state drive. The snappiness of my setup is incredible. Don't bother attempting to predict the future. I guarantee you that prices will drop for existing solid state drive capacities, and capacities will increase for fixed price points. But why would you want to wait?

 

Just bought a SSD and installed myself about 2 weeks ago now - Faster, cooler and responsive.
Use my computer for many of the things you listed plus office work. Here's where you can see the "wow" factor - work a file on your old mechanical drive, move it over to the SSD, continue to work it, then back to your mechanical drive - you'll see it then and it IS worth it. Faster, easier and more productive - basically what the computing experience should be.
BTW - I switch from my personal SSD to work computers (laptops) with 4200 RPM hard drives so you can easily imagine the difference in speed I deal with.
If you want it - go for it - you will not be disappointed.

 

Congrats and nice post!!!

 

That is not unreasonable, yes. In addition, it seems to me, since you mentioned storage requirements, you need to ask yourself if the 128GB will suit you now, and for the next one or two years. If not, stick with the HDD. Finally, yes, the way things look like right now, you'll still be at the bleeding edge if you go with an SSD, meaning that you are paying a relatively high price for what you get (compared to what you would pay for a mainstream, high-volume device of the same kind). The SSD will be much faster, no doubt. Whether or not this is worth the trade-off for you is something only you can decide for yourself.

 

I been thinking about getting this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139134

Then buying a e-sata enclosure for my Scorpio Black 250gig

What do you people think?

 

I still think the SSD's are not a viable choice as of yet because of their overall prices.
I would rather get a standard hdd now, and wait about 2 years until we see what will change in the SSD market and if the prices go down.

interestingly enough about the supposed price drop ... competition is present, yet everyone keep making ssd's at outrageously high prices for a low capacity.

 

I think you're better off with this one:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5980215#post5980215

It does not support TRIM so you have to do that manually once a week, but this offers more solid performance than the kingston.

 

damn no trim

I dont want to worry with doing manual trim every week and its G1 too


hmmmmmm.....

 

ummmmm run it on a schedule....then u dont have to worry...