Question 1

does this come with cloning software or is there cloning software support available online for it?  also read that it was available in SATA 6 Gb/s. would like some verification before I purchased since sometimes specs and real life don't match

Accepted Answer

No cloning software I think.  I just download HDClone. The free version works great if you are going from a smaller to a larger hard drive.  Nevertheless, the ssd had windows 7 installed on it already because this is a HP part number. It should boot up. I erased the hard drive because it has several partitions on it and I used 64bit W7.  I can't verify sata 6 but others have.  I used it in a old sony vgn-tz with a zif adapter.  I'm happy with it I only get udma6 speeds ie less than 100mbs.  Im sure I'd get 500mbs in my desktop.  I use a OCZ in my desktop.  There are faster drives out  there but for the money you can't beat it with a stick.  Also remember speed depends on your motherboard.  You can always get a Samsung but but pay all that money for 50 more mb/s.  Keep in mind you can't return this drive for credit.

Question 2

Don and Jonathan you both said that this drive comes with Windows 8, just as mine did. But how do I get it to install. I tried it on a Gigabyte GA-Z68 board and it still will not try to initialize Windows 8. I called HP and spent 2hrs on the phone with 5 different reps. I called Lite-On and spent 1/2hr with 3 different reps. I emailed also. No one seems to know. Do I need an HP laptop or desktop because of the HP Bios? I really want to try and get Windows 8 installed, as I am in the market for a newer laptop. I would like to know how ya'll got Windows 8 to work? Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Hi,

I used mine on an HP laptop. It worked, but I had problems with the setup. Once I figured it out, it worked fine

The drive is not formatted as a MBR, which uses the traditional computer bios. It is formatted as a GPT drive. To use this drive, from what I found, you have to have a computer that supports UEFI booting. If you do, the drive will boot and windows will install. However, this may cause a problem with your current bios (it did for me). The bios currently on the EFI partition is for some HP tablet.

What I did was setup windows, and used a utility program online to get the key. I then used that key, and performed a normal install with a Win8 disk.

Anyways, you need to have a computer that is able to boot using UEFI.

HTH

Question 3

Is there a SSD for Model 2480 Acer Desktop computer?

Accepted Answer

I think your computer is a laptop ThinkPad which has model number 2480, if I am not mistaken.  No sata SSD would work there even with an adapter because your main drive is PATA based.  I don't think such adapters exist and you would not be able to plug it directly into your laptop--it's very old.  The best you can upgrade is your memory at this point before junking the whole thing.

Here is an example of your system configuration, if I understood correctly what product you have..

www(DOT)engadget(DOT)com(SLASH)products(SLASH)acer(SLASH)travelmate(SLASH)2480(SLASH)specs(SLASH)

Substitute (.) for (DOT) and (/) for (SLASH) in the above link.

Question 4

HEADS UP for you all. WARNING.

Some of you have reported that this drive comes with Win 8 preinstalled--apparently it was only for few early drives (perhaps they were used for testing by the company.)

My drive arrived with nothing on it and it was un-initiated and un-formatted.  You need to keep this in mind when you hope to get extra value from your purchase based on some reported goodies included.

Overall, I can report that the drive performed fine on Sata 2 mSata interface in Dell Precision M6500.  The numbers are as expected.

Sequential Read :   270.217 MB/s
          Sequential Write :   252.821 MB/s
         Random Read 512KB :   196.077 MB/s
        Random Write 512KB :   230.150 MB/s
    Random Read 4KB (QD=1) :    17.486 MB/s [  4269.1 IOPS]
   Random Write 4KB (QD=1) :    25.967 MB/s [  6339.5 IOPS]
   Random Read 4KB (QD=32) :   152.276 MB/s [ 37176.8 IOPS]
  Random Write 4KB (QD=32) :    90.230 MB/s [ 22028.9 IOPS]

Test : 1000 MB [E: 0.0% (0.1/238.5 GB)] (x7)
  Date : 2014/03/23 20:57:10
    OS : Windows 7 Professional SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)
  
Drive: LiteOn m6m 19nm Toshiba chips 240GB SSD mSata
tested on mSata 2 interface in Dell Precision M6500 mSata slot.

Note: You WILL get higher speeds using 6GB/s Sata 3 bus.
Did you get this drive without Win 8 preinstalled? chime in.

Accepted Answer

Mine came unformatted.  In fact I've bought hundreds of hard drives over the last 30 years and have never had one come with any data on it. In fact I've never seen that offered as an option when buying a hard drive.

Question 5

I have a Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H motherboard with built-in (but empty) msata port.  CPU is: Intel Core i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz. currently using OCZ-VERT EX4 SCSI Disk Device 128 GB SSD for O.S. & programs, but it's almost "filled-up" as it only has 15.5 GB of free space left. I have a separate spinning HD for data and backup. My O.S. is running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.
This hp msata sounds very interesting especially since it has windows 8 Pro pre-installed.
QUESTION: Is the installed Windows 8.0  Pro, 32 OR 64 Bit?
I want to maintain a 64 bit O.S.
Thank you, Don Thiede

Accepted Answer

The one I received had Windows 8.0 x64 Professional OEM installed.

Question 6

Hi there.

Can this be used on a Pavilion dm4-1165dx? There is an open mini PCI slot inside.

Accepted Answer

You must make sure that the BIOS allows SATA operations with that mini PCIe slot. The physical connections are exactly the same but it's up to the BIOS to allow it to function as a SATA drive.

Chances are it will, but I would double check with users manual.

In my case, I couldn't find documentation for my laptop so I "rented" a mSATA drive from a local computer store that allows returns without restocking fee (Starts with "F" ends with "rys Superstore") to see if the BIOS recognized the drive. It did so I ordered the HP drive, which is faster than my Intel 520 SSD in my 2.5" slot.

Question 7

are the plextor firmware updates compatible with this drive?

Accepted Answer

They should be. 99.9% sure.  It is but a rebranded M6M drive--it even has "M6M" in it's drive name/number designator as seen by Windows/IntelMatrixManager.  It should be compatible but there is always a chance of it not being so.. that's why it's OEM and that's why it's cheaper and ahead of scheduled release of official M6M drives.

Question 8

Is this an MSATA III device? I can't find anything on it on HP's website.

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is a Lite-On drive using the high quality Toshiba NAND and is very similar to the Plextor M6M drive coming out in March 2014.

Question 9

WILL this fit my HP Envy15 Touch Smart? It does have an MSATA port.

Accepted Answer

This drive should support any laptop that has an mSATA port.  I am using it in a Lenovo X230 laptops and it works great

Question 10

I have a HP Pavillion notebook dv3510nr will this work with this ?

Accepted Answer

Worst case scenario you can yank the wifi wireless or other mSata card which is installed in your computer out and install this instead--it will work, but, you can also get an mSata to Sata adapter, currently at $13, and use it in any sata computer or laptop.

Questions & Answers