IMG_6777, originally uploaded by dynamicsubspace.
After getting most of my files sorted out on a 250 GB 2.5″ HDD (hard disk drive, or a traditional drive that uses spinning platters to store data magnetically and moving arms that read/write the data on the fast spinning disks) in my Unibody, Late 2009 MacBook, I switched back to a smaller SDD (solid state drive, or a drive made entirely of memory chips that store your files) for speed. Originally, my MacBook had a 128 GB Samsung SSD drive that I switched out for the larger, albeit significantly slower, HDD by Hitachi so that I could locally work on my collection of files and get it into a more manageable order. With that now done, I decided to shift back into the fast lane with a better class of SSD: the Intel X25-M. This SSD has received a lot of online praises for its speed, reliability, and price, so I chose it over some of the other SSDs available. Instead of using Time Machine to copy my files onto the new drive, I decided to perform a fresh install of MacOS X 10.6 and then apply all the necessary updates. This initial install process took about 30 minutes with the new drive, but it took about an hour on the Hitachi HDD (an undistinguished 5400rpm drive). I haven’t run any tests yet, but it does feel significantly faster when I am loading apps–especially Word, Aperture, and World of Warcraft. I am impressed by the Intel SSD even after only a few days of heavy use.
Dynamic Subspace 