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    Is the M14x R2 better off with mSATA or Standard SSD?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by jdbaker82, Dec 9, 2012.

  1. jdbaker82

    jdbaker82 Notebook Evangelist

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    A little confused on what one would offer the best bang for buck or performance? What are the key differences?

    Also can anyone confirm if you order the M14x R2 with only the 256GB SSD option if it will be a mSATA or standard SSD? Someone said it was a Samsung 830 mSATA but I do not know if he ordered with only a 256GB option
     
    jdbaker82, Dec 9, 2012
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  2. Dienz

    Dienz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ordered with only the 256gb option and they put the msata in. Tbh, I was expecting a standard ssd. as far as performance vs value goes, I don't believe there is much of a discernible difference in real world use.
     
    Dienz, Dec 9, 2012
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  3. djfergi

    djfergi Notebook Consultant

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    I've used both forms of SSD in my R2 and as Dienz stated, no discernible difference. I stuck with the mSATA option so that I could place a secondary HD in my r2.
     
    djfergi, Dec 10, 2012
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  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    There is pretty much no difference between them.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Dec 11, 2012
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  5. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Personally I'd go with Standard SSD 512gb , since its cheaper & more space to fit in my steam games.
    As performance , they are basically the same as Luis mentioned above.
     
    iPhantomhives, Dec 11, 2012
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  6. shnarf

    shnarf Notebook Consultant

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    I think the best option is both. you can pick up a 120GB 2.5' ssd and a 120GB mSATA Mushkin atlas for roughly the same price as a single 240GB and run em in RAID0 for 240GB of SSD @ 1,000 MB r/w and have much faster small file size transfers. there is also the option of 60GB mSATA/ 60GB 2.5" for those looking to keep costs low but want to break 1,000Mb
     
    shnarf, Dec 12, 2012
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  7. johannesynt

    johannesynt Notebook Guru

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    I think there's no difference between mSata and standard SSd , becouse both works at 6gb/s on R2
     
    johannesynt, Dec 12, 2012
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  8. Comrade Ynot

    Comrade Ynot Notebook Consultant

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    Alienware no longer use Samsung SSDs as their default SSD drive. I got a plextor SSD in my computer from Alienware after the rep(s) I talked to promised and swore up and down they used Samsung drives.( I was led to believe this because on their build page it said Samsung and it was advertised they used Samsung drives ) I didnt mind paying the money at the time for the SSD thinking it was Samsung since they had such high reliability. However when I got here, and I was checking it out, and it was a Plextor and much slower read/write speeds then I was expecting from a samsung. I contacted the rep who sold it to me, she said, "sorry I have changed departments and cant help you. If you dont like it, send it back though." which was disheartening after paying a very pretty penny for it and thinking I was getting one thing and then get another. I contacted Dell and asked them and they told me they dont know the brand of the SSDs they use. Just that its an SSD. This made me worry even more.

    Sales Reps will say anything and promise you the world to get you to buy. You need to be wary. Often they are misinformed or just plain willing to lie. Best bet is to do lots of research yourself.

    If I had to do it again, I would buy a standard HD and replace it with an aftermarket SSD. I would know it was a samsung and the speed I was to expect and would have saved alot of money. Alienware cut corners and in effort to save money, started to use cheaper ssd drives then samsung but still charge top end prices for the ssds.
     
    Comrade Ynot, Dec 13, 2012
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  9. jdbaker82

    jdbaker82 Notebook Evangelist

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    QUOTE=Comrade Ynot;8988287]Alienware no longer use Samsung SSDs as their default SSD drive. I got a plextor SSD in my computer from Alienware after the rep(s) I talked to promised and swore up and down they used Samsung drives.( I was led to believe this because on their build page it said Samsung and it was advertised they used Samsung drives ) I didnt mind paying the money at the time for the SSD thinking it was Samsung since they had such high reliability. However when I got here, and I was checking it out, and it was a Plextor and much slower read/write speeds then I was expecting from a samsung. I contacted the rep who sold it to me, she said, "sorry I have changed departments and cant help you. If you dont like it, send it back though." which was disheartening after paying a very pretty penny for it and thinking I was getting one thing and then get another. I contacted Dell and asked them and they told me they dont know the brand of the SSDs they use. Just that its an SSD. This made me worry even more.

    Sales Reps will say anything and promise you the world to get you to buy. You need to be wary. Often they are misinformed or just plain willing to lie. Best bet is to do lots of research yourself.

    If I had to do it again, I would buy a standard HD and replace it with an aftermarket SSD. I would know it was a samsung and the speed I was to expect and would have saved alot of money. Alienware cut corners and in effort to save money, started to use cheaper ssd drives then samsung but still charge top end prices for the ssds.[/QUOTE]

    If mine doesn't come with Samsung SSD I will get a partial refund or return it and they lose my business.

    If mine doesnt
     
    jdbaker82, Dec 13, 2012
    #9