I'm tired of replacing HDDs

[Diggs]

I'm finally at the point I won't replace a spinning drive with anything but an SSD. I say this in reference to the average user's computer. Gamers, movie/music/etc. collectors that need vast storage are a different application. The slightly higher cost of an SSD doesn't even compare to the "Wow" factor for the client and the piece of mind for me that it's never coming back from an upset customer for a drive failure.

To that end I ordered a couple of the new Kingston economy SSDs. 120 GB for $50 on Amazon. Not quite as fast in the specs as Samsung. Not a big drive but most users don't even come close to a 120GB limit anyway. We'll see how it goes.

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Dig...1518743330&sr=1-1&keywords=kingston+120gb+ssd

 

[Krynn72]

A good move. 1 TB SSDs will come down in price eventually and then gamers will be all over them. At that point HDDs will be exclusively in the realm of servers.

 

[Porthos]

I don't go that low on storage except in rare cases. I use these all the time.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-240G...rd_wg=rJADJ&psc=1&refRID=MQWFB5TSERTY2AK0GNS2

 

[Diggs]

I don't go that low on storage except in rare cases. I use these all the time.

..and neither have I but since I do residential and the last 10 computers I did no one had more than 21 GB of 'stuff" (most 10-12 GB). Add that to a 30 GB Win10 install and they still have 50-60 GB of user space (which is a lot of "stuff" unless you collect things). We'll see.

@add - I sell quite a few used machines which is where I'm going to try these out. I offer the choice of a large conventional HDD or small SSD. Depends on what the customer needs and wants.

 

[Markverhyden]

t's never coming back from an upset customer for a drive failure.

Since SSD failures usually do not result in data recovery better make sure they have a bullet proof backup.

 

[GTP]

The "average" size of a typical desktop computer purchased at a retail store is now 2 Tb.
Laptops are at 1 TB.
Clients typically have 5~100gb of "stuff."

The last time I saw a full "spinner" of more than 500gb was mine!

 

[Diggs]

Since SSD failures usually do not result in data recovery better make sure they have a bullet proof backup.

I'm a big fan of Google Backup and Sync (successor to Google Drive) for residential. So many have a Gmail account and haven't bothered to install it. The default is Documents, Pictures and Desktop which pretty well covers it for most. A couple of clicks and great free backup. I try to check with every residential client if they have an Android phone then of course they can instantly get B&S.

 

[Porthos]

Since SSD failures usually do not result in data recovery better make sure they have a bullet proof backup.

Home user wise, Most won't spend the money for data recovery anyway. I have seen 2 in 15yrs around here that would spend extra money for DR.

 

[Sky-Knight]

SSD fault rates are much lower, but when they fault... ouch... it's done.

 

[Porthos]

SSD fault rates are much lower

Especallyin Laptops where they are tossed around all the time. Those are where I see the most failures on a spinner.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Especallyin Laptops where they are tossed around all the time. Those are where I see the most failures on a spinner.

Yeah, not having moving parts is a huge upgrade for mobile computing.

I won't replace a platter anymore either, 500gb SSDs are too cheap, if you want more room than that on a PC you can fork over for it because the users don't back it up anyway.

 

[sapphirescales]

I ordered a couple of the new Kingston economy SSDs. 120 GB for $50 on Amazon.

You should really check these drives out:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/485877/120_GB_NAND_SATA_30_60_GB-s_25_Internal_SSD

They're Microcenter rebranded drives, but they're 3D MLC. 120GB 3D MLC drives for $40? You can't beat 'em. If you wanna put a Microcenter 3 year replacement plan on them, it's an extra $6. That way if one fails you don't have to worry about shipping the drive or other BS. Just take it in and they'll give you a $40 gift card.

 

[Salteque]

Especallyin Laptops where they are tossed around all the time. Those are where I see the most failures on a spinner.

And the odd drop that some don't want to confess to. But folks are pretty impressed at the new life their system has when you give them an SSD. I may be wrong but I would think due to the SSD having a lower power draw compared to a spinning drive the battery life should improve slightly as well.

 

[Porthos]

I get many that ask me about a certain computer and say its 1tb "that means its faster right"

 

[Sky-Knight]

And the odd drop that some don't want to confess to. But folks are pretty impressed at the new life their system has when you give them an SSD. I may be wrong but I would think due to the SSD having a lower power draw compared to a spinning drive the battery life should improve slightly as well.

Battery improves quite substantially actually. A typical SSD consumes almost half the power relative to a 5400 RPM 2.5", spits out far less waste heat too.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'm finally at the point I won't replace a spinning drive with anything but an SSD.

I reached that point a little over a year ago....we keep a tall stack of Crucial MX300 SSDs...275's and 525's
Sometimes a stack of WD Blue SSDs..which are good even though the rotating WD Blues are horrible.

And this year I've started doing servers with SSD.

 

[Your PCMD]

120 GB for $50 on Amazon

Heres the 120GB's I get and here is the 240GB's as well. $39 and $59 respectively. Despite the brand, they are made by Kingston and they are quite good SSD's.

I use those SSD's in this cheap Acer laptop to make a cool $100 profit. I have sold 8 of those in the past 2 weeks to college kids. The fan rarely comes on and they are stupid fast and lite. Although it has 4 GB memory, you can add another stick if you want AND it has a spot for an M.2 drive.

When customers come in with a laptop issue, they always seem to have the same question, why is it slow. To which I just say, I can make it real fast for just $200 flat and they jump on it.

 

[Markverhyden]

Home user wise, Most won't spend the money for data recovery anyway. I have seen 2 in 15yrs around here that would spend extra money for DR.

True. But they'll be the first to blame me if they loose their stuff. I can always say I offered you some options and you did not use any of them.

 

[Porthos]

Heres the 120GB's I get and here is the 240GB's as well.

Your closer to Dallas than I am even to Houston. Sucks they wont sell them online.

 

[Porthos]

I can always say I offered you some options and you did not use any of them.

Very few will ever take back up advice, It is not like Backup is some new kind of thing.