Breathe some new life into your notebook with an SSD.
While we continue to covet the latest and greatest CPU and GPU at the top of computer parts most valuable for upgrades, SSDs could actually be the part that most significant in real world gains – especially for one currently sitting with older hard disk drive technology.
SSD maker RunCore had a CES booth with an interesting concept, where older laptops were outfitted with SSDs that transformed them to once-again usable machines. Included in the demonstration were a Dell Inspiron laptop with Intel Centrino, which includes a Pentium M CPU and an Asus Eee PC 900.
Both machines scored fairly low overall Windows Experience Indexes, with the Dell pulling in a 1.0 and the Asus a 2.1, but both scored outstanding hard disk scores of at least 6.8 thanks to the SSD.
Ars Technica described the SSD-equipped old-timers as "running Windows 7 like champions." But of course, such an upgrade would only make sense if the cost of the SSD weren't expensive to the point where buying an entirely new machine would make better sense.
A 16GB RunCore SSD costs $99 while a 32GB is $159. Would you upgrade your older laptop with one of these to give it new life, or would you prefer to put that money towards a new entry-level replacement?
I would consider doing this, but it'd be on a case to case basis.
The only ones that exist worry me that they might have the jmicon controller issue. I want a good one that I know will work. All of the good ones though are made for SATA.
It's like buying a $20 ink for an old printer that only prints where new one is $60 comes with ink, that prints, scans, copies AND faxes WITH warranty.
I wouldn't pay the prices listed here at $100 for 16gb. That's just too small.