Which SSD for a Macbook Pro?

bigredshark

bigredshark

bigredshark

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I'm shortly planning to buy myself a shiny new macbook pro, and to go along with it I'm going to get an SSD for it but I'm unsure which one, options as I see it:

- Cough up for the Apple 128GB SSD, has the advantage at least I don't have to worry about fitting it.

- Buy an Intel X25-M 160GB, which is a bit bigger and not much more

- Buy another, unspecified unit.

The way I see it any reputable SSD will be much faster than the standard 5400 HDD so the best performing isn't necessarily the best for me.

What works well? What's everybody else using? Any thoughts?
 
I have the 160GB Intel in my MBP have had for about 6 months.

Initially I was like :eek: :eek: :eek: It was sooo fast.

Now Im used to everything loading instantly and when I come to use any other machine they seem ridiculously slow.

So yes its blooming awesome.

Dont get the Apple its a terrible Samsung unit.
 
So if the Apple supplied SSD is rubbish (rubbish in what way though??)

It comes down to either the Intel X25-M or the crucial M225 - the Intel is bigger for the same kind of money so seems the obvious choice to me. Right?
 
In the real world, the read speeds are virtually identical (the Intel is always faster, but not enough to make a difference at all) while the Crucial has a noticeably quicker write speed. Up to you to decide which to go for...
 
Don't the current MBP and Macbooks have SSD compat issues atm? I can't recall what the main problem was but certain SSD's just don't work on the machines - that is what has held me off getting one for my uMacbook.
 
I fancy boys said:
I'm also considering this upgrade for my macbook pro :) so i'd be interested to see what people say, will there be any noticeable improvement in battery life?
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Cant say I have noticed any improvement in battery life, in comparison to the power consumed by other components its peanuts anyway.

However I haven't actually tested anything.

Got a source regarding any compatibility issues kainz? Would be an interesting read.
 
Kainz said:
Don't the current MBP and Macbooks have SSD compat issues atm? I can't recall what the main problem was but certain SSD's just don't work on the machines - that is what has held me off getting one for my uMacbook.
Click to expand...

It's not specific to SSDs - some drives have a pause issue. Admittedly most machines seem to have been fixed by the recent firmware upgrades, but it would appear to be not all.

Like I said - I had stuttering/pause issues with the 160Gb Intel, whereas it works like a dream on the M225.
 
I've recently put in a cheapy 64gb Kingston SSNDNow! in my 13" Macbook to replace its 7200rpm drive, and I'm thrilled with the results. The machine feels incredibly fast and snappy now - booting takes less time, the apps load much much faster and the OS just seems a lot quicker. There's a total absence of noise, vibration and heat and it's now completely silent - I'm thrilled considering the price of it.

I was initially a little concerned going from a 320gb drive to 64gb, but after some judicious cleaning my Snow Leopard install (with all my apps) is sitting pretty at 8gbs which is pretty impressive.

I'm aware that many SSDs will degrade in performance over time, but seeing as OSX doesn't support TRIM it seems that there's no benefit (yet) in having a drive that supports that, but time will tell if my drive suffers.
 
Having had a read up I'm actually going off the idea now, as OSX doesn't actually support trim at present, I'd basically have to manually recondition the drive every six months or so to maintain drive performance at an acceptable level. Getting away from stuff like that is part of why I have a mac...
 
bigredshark said:
Having had a read up I'm actually going off the idea now, as OSX doesn't actually support trim at present, I'd basically have to manually recondition the drive every six months or so to maintain drive performance at an acceptable level. Getting away from stuff like that is part of why I have a mac...
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That's a very sensible approach, but it doesn't need to mean you shouldn't get an SSD. I had originally bought my SSD for my Windows server OS drive, but wanted to try it in my Macbook first - it's good enough that it will be staying in there!

I backed up my system using Time Machine and then did a reinstall using my Snow Leopard DVD - I then followed the prompts and it copied my Time Machine backup to the SSD so I didn't have to start from scratch - easy. I'd be happy to do that every 6 months in order to keep the drive working at optimal speed as Time Machine really does make it very easy.
 
robbiemc said:
That's a very sensible approach, but it doesn't need to mean you shouldn't get an SSD. I had originally bought my SSD for my Windows server OS drive, but wanted to try it in my Macbook first - it's good enough that it will be staying in there!

I backed up my system using Time Machine and then did a reinstall using my Snow Leopard DVD - I then followed the prompts and it copied my Time Machine backup to the SSD so I didn't have to start from scratch - easy. I'd be happy to do that every 6 months in order to keep the drive working at optimal speed as Time Machine really does make it very easy.
Click to expand...

Oh I know it's not that much work and it's not technically demanding but it's just hassle, and it's hassle because of something I'd be paying £300+ for which seems slightly perverse.

I suspect OSX will support trim in 10.7 (or maybe even a service release (unlikely though), so I can buy now with a HDD and upgrade it when it supports it.
 
I thought that initially, but then looked at the speeds even after the drive had been in use for a while and its still miles ahead of a normal HDD, the intel supports trim, so if and when OSX gets it, it will be ready.
 
robbiemc said:
I've recently put in a cheapy 64gb Kingston SSNDNow! in my 13" Macbook to replace its 7200rpm drive, and I'm thrilled with the results. The machine feels incredibly fast and snappy now - booting takes less time, the apps load much much faster and the OS just seems a lot quicker. There's a total absence of noise, vibration and heat and it's now completely silent - I'm thrilled considering the price of it.

I was initially a little concerned going from a 320gb drive to 64gb, but after some judicious cleaning my Snow Leopard install (with all my apps) is sitting pretty at 8gbs which is pretty impressive.

I'm aware that many SSDs will degrade in performance over time, but seeing as OSX doesn't support TRIM it seems that there's no benefit (yet) in having a drive that supports that, but time will tell if my drive suffers.
Click to expand...

Do me a favour matey, time your boot time? even better do a vid? also loading itunes :)
 
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