Solid state drive vs a serial ATA drive?

What is the difference between a solid state drive and a Serial ATA drive in the MacBook Pro's? And why would I choose one over the other?

If your going to go SSD you need to go large as you can get, like 750GB or more and it's going to cost plenty.
SSD's are shock resistant as they have no moving parts, should last longer and cause less problems that hard drives, but they can wear out faster than hard drives if your moving around a lot of data.
Drawback to SSD's is you can't securely erase them, and with their "wear leveling" placing your data on the least used cells, you basically have to enable Filevault 2 to encrypt the whole thing all the time to protect your data, this results in a performance loss a bit as your CPU has to encrypt and decrypt everything on the fly before using it.
A skilled person can break the password, or you have to provide it to Apple for repair purposes or Customs officials/law when ordered by the courts. There are devices for iPhones, iPods, iPads and even GPS that can image the whole SSD in mere minutes and gleam the password, apparently in cooperation with these major companies like Apple. So it's safe to assume the newer SSD on the closed boxe MBP-Retina's will also be accessible this way via the Thunderbolt port.
So if you want the option to "scrub" your boot drive, then your going to want to go with a SATA hard drive and not a SSD. Also you want a MBP other than the MacBook Pro-Retina, so that you can open the machine and remove the internal storage for destruction.
How do I securely delete data from the machine?

Similar Messages

Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily? The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?

I am about to buy a new MacBook Pro, but want to try out the Serial Drive 7200rpm before taking the plunge to use the SSD....Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily? The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?

shldr2thewheel wrote:
Fmaharg wrote:
I am about to buy a new MacBook Pro, but want to try out the Serial Drive 7200rpm before taking the plunge to use the SSD....Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily?
Yes
Fmaharg wrote:
The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?
It's easy, but not that easy. You need to copy all the info from the drive currently in the mac to the new one before you install the new SSD. You can do this by downloading cloning software (I use CarbonCopyCloner because it's free)
Not to be picky but CCC is donationware, if you use it because of its quality you should send a little bit of money in appreciation, and as a bonus you get to turn the banner off.

Can i change the serial ATA Drive to solid state drive easily ?

I just Bought a MacBook Pro , With Hard Drive (500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rp) .
Is it easy to Change it later to to (Solid State Drive) ?

An SSD is simply going to provide much, much, much faster access than a standard hard disk drive. Your machine has a SATA II controller, meaning that it can have negotiated speeds of up to 6Gbps. You'll get very near that limit with a SSD but you won't be even close with a standard hard drive.
I've had a SSD in my late 2011 15" MBP since about a month after I bought it. I've also increased the RAM to 16GB. My machine flies - and so can yours.
Clinton

1TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive

Hi,
How do I confuger my iMac if I select the "1TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive"?
Thanks.
Ed

Hi Ed,
Your new iMac will come with OSX Lion.
What you want to achieve is to have all your user accounts on the hard drive and your OS and Applications on the SSD.
The way to go about this is to create your User Account/s on the SSD. (Do not migrate your data at this point).
You will need to create a temporary User Account that you can login with, so that you can either replace or create the User Account that you want to migrate from your MacBook Pro.
Now, clone your SSD to the hard drive using Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!. (Migration Assistant will not migrate data to a HD without a System folder, I believe).
Bootup from the SSD, change the path to your User Account/s in System Preferences>Advanced Options. Reboot and then migrate your User Account, Applications and Settings from your MacBook Pro using Migration Assistant.
That is the configuration I have working on my MacBook Pro with dual drives, an SSD and HD.
Good luck.
Sam

I'm looking to but the iMac 27" with 2TB Serial ATA Drive 256GB Solid State Drive . Will time machine automatically back up both the hard drive and the solid-state drive? Ae there any catches or things to be aware of?

Will time machine on Lion, Mac OS 10.7, automatically back up both the internal hard drive and the internal solid-state drive both inside a 27" iMac?

Also, you may find this of interest
TM 101
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427

1 solid state drive or two ATA?

I have a Macbook with 2GB RAM. I run VMware Fusion with WinXP installed for .NET development. Sometimes it can bog the machine down. For example, when the sql server IDE is starting up. For the most part, it all works fine.
I don't see the option to get a Macbook with two hard drives. I imagine that would use up battery time quickly. Would one solid state drive be faster than one ATA drive in my case, since that is currently an option?

4thSpace wrote:
Thanks. I've been avoiding it after a couple of post that additional RAM didn't really improve performance to much. But I guess my case is different.
Do you think Apple RAM is best? I'd have to buy the full 4GB since there isn't a 2GB upgrade. Macbook only has two slots and right now I'm using them. Can't sell the 2GB on eBay either. I see they don't sell. There is one place that will give you something on your 2GB for 4GB upgrade. But I've read people sometimes have problems with their memory. Also, if I go with Apple RAM, it will help narrow down any general troubleshooting issues, since 3rd party RAM won't come into play. Just very expensive route.
Like it was said, Apple only buys from third parties. For the most part they don't even identify the RAM the install or sell as Apple-OEM parts like you see on hard drives.
Still - Apple at the very least uses modules that they're sure will work. The memory controller seems to be very fincky with DDR3 memory. There seems to be a lot of reports that people have gotten memory from OWC, Crucial, etc and had compatibility problems, including kernel panics. That's usually because there's something marginal about the memory's compatibility with the controller, where it passes power-on self test but eventually fails during regular operation. I guess heat could be an issue, as that slows down semiconductor switching speeds. I've heard of electronics that have been cryogenically cooled to improve performance.
At the very least you could get your memory from a retailer that has a compatibility guarantee. I would think by now Crucial or OWC have figured out what the problems may have been. Crucial.com is selling the 2x2GB kits at a pretty good price.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=2E9B2B4EA5CA7304

Customising hard drive options - solid-state drive?

Can someone explain to me what the difference between a solid-state drive and a Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm is? I am deciding between going with the 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 for $141.00 or the 128GB solid-state drive for $329. Clearly the solid-state drive is more expensive, but yet is only 128GB. Can anyone help?

They're actually both SATA. That's just the interface to connect to the computer. The 5400 rpm HDD works like a record. There are platters that spin (thus the rpm stat) and a "needle" reads it. The SSD stores your info on chips. The cheaper one is much slower and more susceptible to damage since it has moving parts, but it's what most people use b/c of the price. SSD prices are getting cheaper though and may become more popular b/c of it.

Solid State Drive Upgrade Kit v300a with Windows 8.1 on Envy laptop

I am trying to install the Solid State Drive Upgrade Kit V300a in my new HP Envy with Windows 8.1. This upgrade was listed as an option for this model and was bought with the machine.
The doc lists OS supported, but Windows 8 is not in the list. Is Windows 8 supported?
The included disk labled "Arconis" includes ATIHO user guide pdfs and an HP-Drive-Install-Guide-1.15.13-327pm pdf. The install guide mentions using Arconis. The Arconis user guide says to run "setup" to install Acronis but there is no setup file on the disk. I have chosen the setting to display hidden files and there is nothing on the disk but pdfs. The v300a box claims that it includes Acronis Cloning Software.
How do I install this HP upgrade on my new HP laptop?

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete model name and/or product number of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.
The above requested information can be found on the bottom of your computer or inside the battery compartment. Please do not include your serial number. Please enter the model/product information into HP's Online Consumer Support page and/or post it here for our review.
YES, Windows 8 and 8.1 should be supported.
Please refer to this "HP SSD Upgrade Kit Installation Guide" for instructions on setting-up the HP SSD Upgrade Kit and cloning your factory installed hard drive. Please read the guide carefully and in its entirety. Next, assembly the SSD drive and the drive enclosure, per the instructions on page 9. Now, carefully follow the cloning instructions from page 9 to page 26.
Per the instructions, the cloning software should be on the included CD/DVD and it may be a bootable disc. However, if you are unable to locate the required software, please see www.HPSupport.pny.com to register your product and download any needed software.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
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Can I use a solid state drive (SSD) with a G4 1 GHz powerbook? If so, how do I do it?

Hi:
Can I use a solid state drive (SSD) with a G4 1 GHz powerbook? If so, how do I do it? Thanks.
fromx001

fromx001 I believe you can use a SSD as internal drive, of course make sure to buy an ide/ata. There are all sorts of sizes up to 480 GB also in the ide/ata standard. You should however research carefully your purchase, as the performances of your SSD are going to have to rely on firmware "garbage collection", as the older operating systems haven't been written with SSD in mind.
Mac Man JW: some people depend on Classic as a brody said, other people need a phone modem from time to time, other people use the laptop in harsh environments, and at -15C and below, LCD screens easily crack and break; NOT the powerbook which has hot air towards the screen (and it's a machine that heats quite a lot). My alu Powerbook 12", which was *not* treated with velvet gloves, only once had a cracked screen: a cleaning lady had stepped over it (!!!!) no joke. And in normal / light use today, it is still pretty decent and usable.

Setting Up SSD Solid State Drive for Cache...Help!

Hello,
I am trying to configure my system to do really heavy special effects using After Effects and other programs. I bought a new computer with specs below and a Solid State Drive for the cache as recommended in the White Papers. I plug the SSD into a port on top of the machine. I must have it configured wrong because I keep getting the message "disk cache folder cannot be the root of a volume." I don't know how to configure this correctly so my work will use the SSD properly. Can someone walk me through this? Nicole The SSD is a Seagate SSHD 1TB hybrid drive that is supposed to boot and perform like an SSD. The motherboard is an Asus X79 and the processor is an i7 4820k (Ivy Bridge E) Thanks!
Processor Brand
Intel®
Processor
Intel® 4th Generation Core™ i7
(Also known as the CPU). The part of the computer that interprets and executes instructions. Think of it as the brain of the computer.
Processor Speed
3.7GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)
How fast a computer processor carries out instructions. In general, faster is better, but processor speeds across brands may not be equivalent (i.e., a 3.0GHz AMD processor may not be the same speed as a 3.0GHz Intel processor).
Cache Memory
10MB on die Level 3
A small segment of memory that stores frequently used information for fast access by the processor, improving response time.
System Memory (RAM)
16GB
The memory a computer uses to run its operating system, applications and active data files. Greater amounts of RAM improve speed and enable more applications to run at once.
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
128GB
Maximum amount of memory a computer can support (as opposed to the amount that comes preinstalled).
Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
Type of graphics (video) adapter (usually built into the motherboard), identified by manufacturer and model.
Video Memory
2GB (dedicated)
Manages display functions, including screen refresh rates, resolution and color. The more video memory a computer has, the better graphics and video will look.
Audio
High-definition 7.1-channel surround sound
Speakers
None
Network Card
Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
Allows a computer to connect to a network either by using cables (Ethernet) or wireless technology (IEEE 802.11).
Wireless Networking
None
Recordable DVD Drive
Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Drive that can read CDs and DVDs, as well as write and rewrite CDs and various types of DVDs.
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds
Drive speeds not specified
Maximum write (DVD±R), rewrite (DVD±RW) and read (DVD-ROM) speeds of the DVD±RW drive.
Direct-Disc Labeling
No
Digital Media Reader or Slots
No
Available Expansion Bays
External: 6 (5.25"); Internal: 2 (3.5")
Available Expansion Slots
4 PCI Express x16, 1 PCI Express x1, 4 DIMM
For digital cameras and digital audio players: Slots that allow the addition of a removable memory card, such as Secure Digital or CompactFlash, to increase storage capacity.For computers: Slots on the motherboard that accept sound cards, video cards, memory and other upgrade cards.
USB 2.0 Ports
3 USB 3.0 (1 front, 2 rear); 8 USB 2.0 (2 front, 6 rear)
Ports that allow high-speed (up to 480 Mbps) data transfer between compatible devices.
Keyboard Description
USB
Indicates design, functionality or connection features. Some keyboards offer special buttons for gaming or multimedia use, while other keyboards include features such as illumination or wireless connectivity.
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.)
USB mouse
Operating System Platform
Windows
Operating System
Windows 8
The master software that controls hardware functions and provides a platform on top of which any software applications will run. Commonly used systems include Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X for computers and Palm OS and Microsoft Windows Mobile for PDAs.
ENERGY STAR Certified
No
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Best Buy PC App
No
HDMI Output
Yes
Blu-ray Player
No
Graphics Chip
NVIDIA
Drive Capacity
2TB
Discrete Graphics
Yes
Gaming Series
Yes
Hard Drive Size
2TB
Capacity for storing programs, photos, video, music and other electronic information. Hard drive capacities range from a few gigabytes to several hundred.
Hard Drive Type
SATA III (7200 rpm)
Hard drives are classified based on the interface they use to connect to a computer. Common interfaces for internal hard drives include EIDE, PATA (also known as, ATA and IDE), SATA and SCSI. Common interfaces for external hard drives include USB 2.0, FireWire and eSATA.
UPC
892167017218

>dont know how this is done in windows 8
Open Windows Explorer (for Win7) which I think was renamed File Manager in Win8 and go to the "root" of the drive and right click and select New--Folder from the popup window

Old iMac,new solid state drive?

Is it possible to replace the hard drive in my 2008 Intel iMac with a newer solid state drive?
Processor           2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory             4GB 667 Mhz DR2 SDRAM
Graphics            ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB
Software           OSX 10.8.1 (12B19)
Thanks!
<Image Edited by Host to Remove Serial Number>

Hi Nick,
I'm sure you "could" just double sided tape it - but I would fear it interferes with the air flow around other components/out the back slot. Plus, not sure the wires will reach, though they might be able to.
I used the NewerTechnologies Adaptadrive unit. It works perfectly and holds the SSD firmly. The little circuit board on the adapter just lines the SATA ports up perfectly with there they would be for a 3.5 inch drive. Was super simple, and I know the SSD won't come loose behind my screen. Be sure to get a full size adapatet like this. The little blue ones OWC also sells don't have the length needed for Apple's mounting brackets.
Here's the link, and I'll attach a photo of it pre-install and post install with the temp sensor back on.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADPTADRV/

Solid State Drive (SSD) Questions for G4 "Sawtooth".

Below are some questions concerning using a Solid State Drive (SSD) in a G4 "Sawtooth".
Would a controller card need to be installed for an SSD to work in this machine?
Would the G4 be able to operate in Classic mode with the SSD?
Would the G4 be able to boot into OS 9 with the SSD?
Should the SSD be used only for booting and applications, with user data stored on another drive that does not use SSD technology (such as an ATA or SATA drive)?
Should only 50% of the drive space be used, in order to ensure optimized performance?
Would the G4 only be able to use the first 128 MB of drive space of an SSD that has a capacity greater than 128 MB? If so, would either of the below cards enable the G4 to read the entire drive?
[http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ACARD/AEC6280M>
[http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ACARD/AEC6880M>
-John

Would a controller card need to be installed for an SSD to work in this machine?
One like this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technology/TSATA/
Would the G4 be able to operate in Classic mode with the SSD?
Yes.
Would the G4 be able to boot into OS 9 with the SSD?
Depends on the controller card, but with the linked card, it shouldn't be an issue.
Should the SSD be used only for booting and applications, with user data stored on another drive that does not use SSD technology (such as an ATA or SATA drive)?
Smaller capacity drives will limit file storage, and keeping OS and applications separate always improves performance, regardless of the drive type.
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/00E03B83-1ADA-406E-A940-396D39F 598EA.html
Should only 50% of the drive space be used, in order to ensure optimized performance?
SSD's can be filled further, but should maintain 20GB or more for virtual memory.
Would the G4 only be able to use the first 128 MB of drive space of an SSD that has a capacity greater than 128 MB?
A controller card removes that limit.
If so, would either of the below cards enable the G4 to read the entire drive?
Those controllers will work for and allow use of large capacity ATA drives.

How do I verify my T510 actually has the solid state drive that I ordered?

My machine sometimes makes a loud noise like a hard drive going nuts when it is moving alot of data (as I move data from my old machine to this one). I ordered it with a solid state drive but wonder if a regular hard drive was put in the machine by mistake. I checked Windows system information on the disks and it says I have a "fixed hard disc". I am not familiar with Windows 7 and wonder if it might say that even if it is a SSD.
Thanks

@ the OP, what does device manager say?
Z.
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SSD (solid stat drive) compatiabilty

I purchased a travel iBook G4. I won't need it for hard drive space but would like to possibly put a 16 or 32 Gig solid state drive in it.
It is a iBook G4 1 GHz machine. Not sure of the compatiablity besides IDE interface. Is it 44 pin? Any other information would be very helpful.

H3Hummer wrote:
I purchased a travel iBook G4. I won't need it for hard drive space but would like to possibly put a 16 or 32 Gig solid state drive in it.
It is a iBook G4 1 GHz machine. Not sure of the compatiablity besides IDE interface. Is it 44 pin? Any other information would be very helpful.
I thought there's only one type of interface for 2.5" IDE (parallel ATA) notebook drives. Here are a few:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1258727
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1630044
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1394845
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1547602

Can I install a solid state drive in my CQ62-215DX

I need to replace my hard drive in my laptop and I'm curious first on whether or not I can install a solid state drive in this laptop and if so, are there any recommendations?

Hi,
Yes you can, SSD's are much cheaper now. You can buy from the following reliable vendor, it guaranties its products will work:
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/HP+-+Compaq-memory/Presario+CQ62+Series/Presario+CQ62-215DX-upgrades....
You can buy from 120Gb to 960Gb. I bought one Crucial 960Gb last week but from Amazon
Regards.
BH
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Solid state drive vs a serial ATA drive?

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