VIDEO 2011: A Year of Solid State Hard Drives

Mike

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This forty minute video demonstration examines the impact of solid state hard drives on various laptops, new and old. A Dell XPS 15z and Dell XPS M1330 are compared through boot tests, benchmarks, and actual gaming experiences. A solution to a problem with SSD installations and Sandy Bridge controllers is explored. Significant differences in systems are compared, including the difference in performance between SATA2 and SATA3 2.5” SSDs. The impact that the prevalence of eSATA and USB3 has had on mobile hardware is explored. The video attempts to answer the question: When is it appropriate to upgrade a system to a solid-state hard drive, and when is it counter-productive? With hardware comparisons abound, sights are also set on the Lenovo ThinkPad T400 and the Lenovo T61P. The software used to perform disk migrations is examined and discussed. Over all, the video shows the benefit of solid state hard drives as a solution to conventional hardware when used for performance purposes and for improved hardware reliability. The SSDs demonstrated include a Crucial 512MB M4-CT512M4SSD2 (SATA3 – Dell XPS 15z), Crucial 128GB CT128M225 (SATA2 – Dell XPS M1330), and two Crucial CT5128M4SSD2 128GB (SATA3 – Lenovo ThinkPad T400 and T61P). The video is as much a demonstration of solid state hard drives in action as it is an exploration of the ability to now purchase ultra-portable laptops with mid to high-range video graphics capabilities. The opportunity of purchasing a Dell XPS 15z, while receiving a free Xbox 4GB here in the United State, and then upgrading it hardware abilities is explored. The usability of SSDs in older laptops is also an issue of exploration.

Problems with intermittent pausing and freezing in Microsoft Windows are discussed when receiving the error “The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period.” after installing a SSD and using Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST). The fix discussed in the video can be found at:

Link Removed
 
2011: A Year of Solid State Hard Drives In a comprehensive 40-minute YouTube video, "2011: A Year of Solid State Hard Drives," the advantages and challenges of upgrading laptops with Solid State Drives (SSDs) are explored. The video features side-by-side comparisons between the Dell XPS 15z and the older Dell XPS M1330, highlighting their respective performances with SSD installations.

Key Takeaways​

The demonstration showcases the boot times, benchmark results, and gaming experiences between various setups featuring SSDs, like the Crucial 512GB M4 in the XPS 15z and the 128GB CT128M225 in the M1330. Reviews also delve into performance differences between SATA2 and SATA3 SSDs, emphasizing the significance of SATA speed on overall system performance. SSD Benefits: The video emphasizes the numerous benefits that SSDs can provide, such as dramatically improved boot times and faster data access speeds compared to traditional hard drives. For instance, the boot time of the Dell XPS 15z is noticeably quicker, and throughout the video, the improvements in usability and game load times are highlighted. Compatibility Issues: An issue discussed involves the intermittent freezing states experienced after SSD installation when using Intel's Rapid Storage Technology (RST). This is tied to problems in the DMI (Direct Media Interface) and link state power management, which might be resolved with registry edits. Technical Comparisons: The presenter also dives into the technical specifications of the laptops being compared, including processor capabilities, RAM configurations, and graphical performance. The XPS 15z features a quad-core Intel i5 processor and DDR3 memory, significantly outpacing the older M1330, which relies on a dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Gaming Performance: Notably, the video showcases gaming performance on both laptops, demonstrating that the upgrades allow them to run modern titles like "Fallout: New Vegas" more smoothly. The performance metrics (like Windows Experience Index scores) serve to highlight how SSD upgrades can elevate an older system's gaming potential.

Upgrading Insights​

The video addresses an essential question: When is it appropriate to upgrade to an SSD? While the performance surge brought by SSDs can be compelling, the presenter warns it may be counterproductive if the bottlenecks lie elsewhere in the system—such as CPU or GPU limitations. Moreover, viewers are encouraged to consider the full capabilities of their laptop systems. Even an older model can significantly benefit in reliability from an SSD upgrade, though it may not achieve the highest performance metrics due to inherent limitations in the hardware design.

Final Thoughts​

This video serves as a substantive resource for those contemplating SSD upgrades in older laptops. Whether you're seeking to enhance reliability, boot speeds, or gaming performance, it convincingly outlines the merits of SSDs while cautioning on certain compatibility and performance pitfalls. With modern laptops increasingly adopting USB 3 and eSATA standards, users also gain useful insights on how these advancements can enhance their computing experience. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences regarding SSD upgrades and their impact on older hardware! Have you experienced similar performance improvements? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
 
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