What does "PRO" mean for a SSD ?

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Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
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Normally, the average person would think PRO means professional, or, a higher quality than a non-PRO version of the same device.

Looking at the Sammy 850 "PRO", it doesn't have any professional features, so, how come more reviewers aren't pointing out that these lack basic "PRO" features like power loss prevention ?

In Samsung's own FAQ, they say this about power loss protection:
Generally, when the power is turned off, the host sends a STANDBY command to the storage and guarantees a certain amount of time for the storage to maintain data consistency.
However, when the power is turned off due to exceptional causes, such as the power cable suddenly being unplugged by the user or removal of battery, the SSD may encounter an unexpected power failure.
In such case, the SSD must maintain consistency of the stored data.
In case of an unexpected power failure, the user data recorded in the volatile memory - DRAM - within the SSD may be lost.
To prevent data loss, the PLP (Power Loss Protection) feature is implemented to safely store the user data onto NAND flash in case of unexpected power failures.
The Tantalum capacitor within the SSD stores a certain amount of electricity while the power is being supplied.
This electricity is used to safely store user data on the volatile memory within the SSD onto the NAND flash when the power is cut off to prevent the loss of user data.
Click to expand...

So, that has me thinking, if reviewers KNOW it don't have professional level features, and is misleading to the consumer, so, why don't they call them out on it ?
Simply stating these are not "enterprise" drives isn't enough IMO.
Enterprise does need power loss protection, but, they also need much higher endurance.

What happens when you do yank the power cable (aka simulated power loss event) from this "PRO" device, will it brick them, or, just corrupt all data or what ?
 
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Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
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It means marketing guys figured it would make it seem better. They are marketed for heavy storage users, unlike others, but...

TMK, the 840 and 850 all have similar protection against scrambling or partial writes as the M500 and up from Micron, which should prevent bricking.

IMO, the whole storage device segmentation set up from all vendors has left a lot to be desired, since SCSI and PATA went away, allowing for servers and workstations with SATA drives. Not that the compatibility is bad, but there aren't clear feature and testing differences made clear amongst different SSDs, despite all the colorful marketing.
 
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C

CoPhotoGuy

Senior member
Nov 16, 2014
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There is no such thing as an 850 EVO PRO.

EVO = TLC

PRO = MLC

So the PRO has a better TBW and MTBF rating...though the EVO doesn't even have a TBW rating provided by Samsung really.
 
Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
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CoPhotoGuy said:
There is no such thing as an 850 EVO PRO.

EVO = TLC

PRO = MLC

So the PRO has a better TBW and MTBF rating...though the EVO doesn't even have a TBW rating provided by Samsung really.
Click to expand...

Yeah, will edit, but the main point is still there.
 
C

CoPhotoGuy

Senior member
Nov 16, 2014
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Elixer said:
Yeah, will edit, but the main point is still there.
Click to expand...

What point is that? There is market differentiation, you just don't agree that it's the right differentiation. If you're making decisions on enterprise-level storage devices and can't figure out that the 850 PRO is not an enterprise class device then perhaps a new job is in order.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Like Cerb said - basically a marketing gimmick aimed at describing a higher quality that can justify a higher price. The 840 EVO and 840 Pro are a good example. By the same token, what does EVO stand for? :)
 
Data-Medics

Data-Medics

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Nov 25, 2014
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www.data-medics.com
Even the EVO will still last longer than the useful life of the SSD (8-10years). The PRO series have been demonstrated to last longer in brute force reliability tests though. So if you want one that will really stand the test of time, go PRO.
 
BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,663
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ronbo613 said:
PRO = MO

As in mo money
Click to expand...

A Rose by any other name is still a Rose. Oswald was called a communist, but he only said he was a Marxist-Leninist. No -- I'm not going to pursue that analog too much further. It will just complicate the discussion.

Put it another way. It's marketing and sales. Which is an art-form devoted to hype. Hype falls into the category of general propaganda. But since it's "marketing," and "sales" we don't think of it that way so easily.

So they called the SSD the "Pro" version. If they call the Maximus VI Extreme a "Maximus" which is "Extreme," what does that mean? It likely means that you'll pay more to get more. But the SSD doesn't have to pass the bar exam.
 
S

SSBrain

Member
Nov 16, 2012
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Data-Medics said:
Even the EVO will still last longer than the useful life of the SSD (8-10years). The PRO series have been demonstrated to last longer in brute force reliability tests though. So if you want one that will really stand the test of time, go PRO.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the manufacturer warranty on the amount of data written for consumer drives (including "Pro" ones) is generally for far less than what the NAND will physically allow (even if one just stopped at the rated P/E limit). For all intents and purposes, outside consumer/home usage scenarios, an SSD that exceeded the allowed TBW limit is as good as a dead one.
 
coercitiv

coercitiv

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2014
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Elixer said:
Normally, the average person would think PRO means professional, or, a higher quality than a non-PRO version of the same device.

Looking at the Sammy 850 "PRO", it doesn't have any professional features, so, how come more reviewers aren't pointing out that these lack basic "PRO" features like power loss prevention?
Click to expand...
Using your definition for a PRO product, how many professional features does the MacBook Pro feature, and how does it stack against it's non Pro version? Is it equipped with a suitable PRO SSD for example?

PRO labels don't mean much nowadays, they just indicate products which vaguely claim to be among the best in their class. In the case of Samsung Pro SSDs, they pretty much deliver on that front, at least when performance is concerned.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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But if you care about longevity, and stability (from power glitches, especially), shouldn't we all be buying enterprise SSDs?
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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86
VirtualLarry said:
But if you care about longevity, and stability (from power glitches, especially), shouldn't we all be buying enterprise SSDs?
Click to expand...
Not really. Now, most Samsung, Sandisk, and Micron drives have resting data protection, and handle rolling back quite well. The enterprise ones mainly get you many more write cycles, by way of using tweaked top-bin flash, and more guaranteed OP. Any good MLC drive that's been out for awhile is probably as good as any other, as long as it's not from a company that might use marginal flash (old OCZ, Kingston, others?).

If worried about radiation and such, an Intel 730 would be a decent value proposition, I think.
 
RaistlinZ

RaistlinZ

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
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How long do you really need an SSD to last? You guys really think you'll be using the same SSD's 10 years from now?
 
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