Intel X25-m SSD 120GB $199

Since some people like Intel better than Sandforce drives, there you go...

Newegg.com - Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH120G2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Drive model: SSDSA2MH120G2K5

also free Lost planet 2 game included.

 

dont forget the $35 MIR

 

Oh yeah good point. Their rebate comes in the form of a debit card or so, that you need to cancel afterward or something...

 

Why would you cancel? Isn't it just like a Visa cash card?

 

Why? Because I'm sure they'll try to scam you whenever they can. That's the point of rebates. Read the fine print: "Card Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 Monthly Service applies but is waived for the initial 12 months after receipt by cardholder. See Cardholder agreement for complete terms and conditions."

 

I don't think that's a scam. I've received a pre-paid card before. Just use it in the first year.

 

Maybe "an attempt to get some money off you while giving you the money back, without you actually realizing, by hiding the important info in font-1 text" sounds better?

But, I've received around ~80% of all the mail-in rebates I filled so far (around 6-7 total) - that mainly why I said it's a scam; there's a significant probability of the rebate failing and you doing your job, exactly as it said in the instructions.

 

What are you talking about? The prepaid card is just like any other prepaid visa card. Use it in the first year and you get the full amount of the card. Use it after the first year, and they'll charge maintenance fee of 2$.

Where's the scam part again?

 

um its sort of a scam. anything you dont use after the first year is slowly sucked away.

Also if you planned to use it as your debit card they get you for 24$ a year. bad deal. Just use it up and toss it and its fine.
its true though, cash that you have to spend in 1 year is not as good as just cash.

 

Keep in mind that the $2 fee is not charged in all states, I believe. Some states don't allow companies to deduct this value, ie. California. This is an awesome deal, though, I got my X-25M 80GB for that price about a year ago, and it was used!

 

Either way, what's the big deal? Use it up in a year and no worries. Many rebate checks expire after 90 days or less, so just suck it up and spend the money. If you're concerned, put the cash aside and spend the money from the card on what you'd spend cash on. Sheesh. Or don't buy the SSD at all.

 

Yeah I don't wanna argue about rebates. I don't like them (it's my subjective opinion, mostly based on some negative experience) but it's certainly better than nothing.

I think it's a good deal, regardless... even without the rebate. And since I noticed lots of people here prefer Intel over Sandforce drives.... there you go

 

Sold out. dang. I should have bought it while I had the chance. Hopefully they get more in before the 11/30 deal expiration!

 

I picked up one for my new laptop

Total was $165 after rebate.

 

Whoa. Back in stock for $239.99 now.

Probably was cutting pricing too close to the 80GB deals.

 

haha. I bought one on Black Friday. My 2 year old hard drive was going bad at the best time.

 

Maybe for Cyber Monday? I doubt it.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this same deal goes up on cyber Monday.

 

I agree that rebates are annoying, but this is a prepaid visa card. it isn't attached to your account or anything and even if it's value goes down in a year it doesn't really matter- just use it.

You can go to stores like walgreens or CVS etc and buy these prepaid cards with CASH and no ID. It isn't tied to you in any way. It is basically cash.

 

Bah, same price $239.99.

 

@ htwingnut
This will be my first SSD I have ever used. When I get this SSD am I suppose to install something for it? Can I use Windows System Image Backup Utility on my old harddrive and then restore the image onto the new SSD?

 

You can, but if you are comfortable you would be best to do a fresh install with an SSD. Doing an image restore from a hard drive to an SSD can lead to significant degradations in performance, mainly due to alignment issues. If you do a fresh install, Windows automatically aligns the paritions and you don't have to jump through hoops to do it.

Apparently doing an image of an SSD to the same SSD is ok, for instance if you wanted to back it up after you got everything installed the way you like, to restore later for whatever reason.

 

Yeah just backup all your media and documents and do a fresh install. Might be a little more work but itll be worth it. Mine says its coming the 30th but I don't think my laptop will be here by then

 

Alright guys, thanks. I'll do a fresh install of Windows. This sounds like it is the best way to go. Do I need to install anything like drivers for the new SSD to work properly?

 

If you have an intel chipset (ich9, ich10, etc) then download the Intel RST drivers. Not required but highly recommended. Of course this is assuming you're running in AHCI mode and not IDE.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...t=Intel®+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel®+RST)

 

How do I know if I'm running in AHCI mode? thanks again.

I justed checked UPS and it's out on delivery.

 

Go to device manager (click start menu, right click computer, click manage, choose device manager), and expand "IDE/ATA ATAPI Controllers". If it says "AHCI Controller" then you're runnig it. Otherwise it will probably show a few IDE controllers. You can always just install the Intel RST drivers and it will tell you it can't find any compatible devices if it's not working. AHCI needs to be enabled in the BIOS though. It typically is the default from manufacturers though.

What laptop is this going in?

 

I see Intel(R)ICH8M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller. But it's under some other stuff. I posted a screenshot. The SSD is going in my 2 year old Alienware m15x-r1 laptop. I hope it will work.

 

Ok, Alienware, yep it supports AHCI.

 

Thanks for your assistance htwing.

 

Did anyone else get theirs yet?

If so how did you cut the UPC off? There are about 8 bar codes on the side of this thing and the UPC is right in the middle. Do I need any of these numbers for the warranty?

 

I think you only need the UPC code which is labeled in the middle.

I'm enjoying this SSD. It's fast!

 

You can grab a 160 GB Intel G2 drive off ebay for around $250-$280. I'd rather go for that.

 

You couldn't have gotten a free game with that deal though.