SSD for T400??

I'm trying to decide if this is worth it, mostly for durability issues, but I'm also concerned with speed.

I ordered my machine with a 7200 rpm hard drive--can anyone tell me what the read and write speeds of this drive are? If I decide on the SSD, is it a simple process to replace (e.g., what size drive do I need to buy?)

Thanks in advance,

Jon

 

Current generation SSDs have slower write times but faster read times. That's just the nature of flash memory right now.

I'm pretty sure ThinkPads use the 2.5" size of SSDs (same size as the normal laptop drives). Unless you're really concerned about hard drive damage, I would wait until SSDs are better and cheaper. They are right for the people who need them, but most people don't.

 

The 64BG SSD option for T400 from Lenovo is not that bad ($622.5 premium over 80GB, or less than $10/GB).

It may cost you more to buy a high performance 64GB SSD from retail channels.

Have yo considered the Ultrabay route?

 

I didn't mean the upgrade through Lenovo was not competitive. I just meant that SSD is not a necessary/wise upgrade for the vast majority of users. In the future I think it will be.

What will you be using your laptop for, Jon?

 

Thanks for the information (the upgrade wasn't available when I ordered my T400)

My current laptop is 4.5 years old, and the hard drive got damaged when I take the train or bus from Boston to NYC. So, I don't know if newer generation hard drives may be more resilient--I thought an SSD would just solve the problem for sure.

Jon

 

Remember, new technologies always have new ways to break.

SSD's are more resilient to impact but it is too early to tell if they are more robust in general.

If you call Lenovo, they may let you upgrade your hard drive.

 

I thought OCZ 128 SSD's were only retailing for around 500. Those are better performing than Samsung as well.

 

The OCZ's are Samsung but are MLC (all of them), which is why they are significantly cheaper. They do perform better but regardless SSD's are pretty darn fast for seeks when compared to traditional HD's.