Basic Question Related to Custom Laptops: mSATA or SATA SSD?

[Infohawk]

A lot of custom notebook sellers like xoticpc give you the choice between an mSATA or SATA SSD. Which do forum members recommend? My brief Google search indicates both have the same performance. Are there other factors to consider?

 

[SithSolo1]

I don't know if it matters much on laptops but current mSATA is limited to Sata II speeds if I recall correctly.

It comes down to personal choice but if it has both slots I'd opt for an SSD in the mSATA slot and a larger storage HDD in the SATA slot.

 

[GusSmed]

No, mSata is not limited to SATA II. mSata is purely a form factor, like 2.5" drives. The connector is identical. mSata drives tend to be a few dollars more due to lower demand.

The main reason to go mSata is what you said, though: it's the only feasible way to get two or more drives into a laptop. mSata for OS and programs and hard drive in the 2.5" bay for bulk data is much less constraining than SSD only.

If you're nuts, you can get a laptop with 2 mSata slots and configure them as Raid 0. I've seen at least one guy talk about doing exactly that and getting 1000 MB/S in Crystal Disk Info.

 

[SithSolo1]

No, mSata is not limited to SATA II. mSata is purely a form factor, like 2.5" drives. The connector is identical. mSata drives tend to be a few dollars more due to lower demand.

The main reason to go mSata is what you said, though: it's the only feasible way to get two or more drives into a laptop. mSata for OS and programs and hard drive in the 2.5" bay for bulk data is much less constraining than SSD only.

If you're nuts, you can get a laptop with 2 mSata slots and configure them as Raid 0. I've seen at least one guy talk about doing exactly that and getting 1000 MB/S in Crystal Disk Info.

You're right, I got confused, its has nothing to do with the drives themselves. The thing I read pertained to desktop motherboards with mSATA slots being limited to 3GB/s(SATA II speeds) instead of 6GB/s(SATA III speeds). I have no idea if this is the case with current laptops.

 

[corkyg]

With Lenovos, I would stick with SATA and the Ultrabay provides for a second drive. The mSATA option can take away a broadband option. It is all pointed out in their customization menus. Also, I prefer the interchangeability of SATA drive. mSATA is more restricted., Now, there is a 3rd choice - a smaller size SATA drive by SAnDisk such as that used by the Lenovo Carbon. There, we go beyond user changeable.

http://www.sandisk.com/about-sandis...orage-solution-for-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon/

 

[Enigmoid]

msata for sure. Drop a small one in a notebook and keep a HDD and you are set. Fast and lots of space.

 

[holden j caufield]

msata, why would someone waste that slot on a broadband card. I just hotspot it through a phone or something. Leaves you with a lot of other options for sata, and optical bay.

 

[sm625]

The best performing SSDs are mostly SATA, as are the best deals. Just try searching slickdeals for a mSATA SSD... the deals arent as good. There are a couple decent Crucial deals so at least you would have something. It used to be you couldnt get anything in mSATA except for stuttery crap.

 

[Infohawk]

Are the weights the same for two given drives of the same weight?

The best performing SSDs are mostly SATA, as are the best deals. Just try searching slickdeals for a mSATA SSD... the deals arent as good. There are a couple decent Crucial deals so at least you would have something. It used to be you couldnt get anything in mSATA except for stuttery crap.

I forgot to ask about price so that is interesting.

 

[Enigmoid]

Are the weights the same for two given drives of the same weight?



I forgot to ask about price so that is interesting.

mssd is literally about 1/10 the weight. About half the size of a credit card and about 3x as thick.

Usually they are a little more expensive and perform a bit worse (though its basically impossible to tell the difference across ssds in general use- only in benchmarking does it show). Lack of performance should not be a great concern.

 

[dlimes13]

mSATA, simply so you can leave the other traditional bays open for additional storage.

 

[bgt]

mSata, just took the HDD+mSata(32Gb) out to swap it for a SSD(in my brand new Dell Inspiron15Z(4000IGP only) but I am going to replace it with a 240Gb M500 mSata card.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Buy your own ssd. That's my choice.

I got my X220 with a traditional rotating hdd, and added in my own msata ssd. Cheapest way all around and I get the benefits of having both drive types. Only works if the laptop has both slots, though, obviously.

Just clone the original drive over with Clonezilla (it's free and it's awesome) once you get it and you're good to go.