SUPER TALENT FPM64GLSE Mini PCIe 64GB Mini PCIe (SATA) MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Pros: Good solid drive. See my previous post on pros.

Cons: Expensive and performs about the same as the Supertalent FPM32GRSE

Other Thoughts: I have 2 identical Asus 901's configured same. Both with XP and Ubuntu. The boot time between them is identical, or the FPM32GRSE a tad faster. Loading applications is about the same as well. If you need the 64G capacity, go with the Supertalent FPM64GRSE and save 25%.

Pros: Very fast. I haven't timed it, but my computer boots up faster than any other machine I've ever owned (running XP). I have owned and operated this SSD over 1 month now.

Cons: It's expensive. That's really about it.

Other Thoughts: My EEEPC is the celeron version (900). I recommend installing the latest BIOS before installing this SSD if you have the same. If you are going to get this item for your EEEPC, you might as well get this item as well: N82E16820104100. It also runs fantastic in the EEEPC 900 and with 3-3-3-8 timing, very fast. (for a netbook ;) )

Pros: I just received this drive and it is functioning as it should, but will know more later today.

Pros of SSD:
1) Durability
2) Better drives like this Super Talent have read/write superior to most mechanical drives (current stock PATA stuff is slow)
3) Seek time <.1ms (WD VelociRaptor has a seek of 4.2ms)
4) Silent and no vibrations
5) Less power consumption (somewhat controversial)

Cons: I have yet to install this drive, but from my experience with the Super Talent PCIE drives, all will go well. However here are some general information on SSD.

Cons of SSD:
1) Cost per GB
2) MLC has limited writes*
3) Usually less capacity

*The limit is fairly high and I have yet to hear of anyone wear out a MLC SSD. However, the tweaks above are designed to reduce the number of unnecessary writes to an SSD drive.

Other Thoughts: Drive controllers in a netbook:

1) No controller on MB. In the case of my Asus eee 901, there is no onboard drive controller! The controller for the 901 is on the drive that is connected into the PCIE slot. The original SSD that came with the 901 had a 8GB PCIE SSD card that has a PATA controller. The replacement that I used (Super Talent) has a SATA controller on the SSD PCIE card. For the Asus 901 to accept this drive required a bios update. Most PCIE netbooks can use either SATA or PATA PCIE cards. PATA being generally cheaper and slower.

2) Controllers on MB. Any netbook that has a mechanical hard drive has a drive controller on the MB. I believe ALL are SATA controllers. Thus will only accept SATA drives.