FAST! Mac Compatible Flash Disks For Apple Computers

Solid-State NAND Flash memory hard drives for the Macintosh aren't the future of disk storage: It's here today! The performance benefits of running your Mac on an SSD are dramatic and real. Starting up your computer, launching apps, installing programs and updates on an SSD happens in typically a fourth the time. Until you experience the delicious speed of solid-state storage, you just don't know how swift and smooth your Mac experience could be.

Best SATA SSD's For Mac

           
#1 Choice: 80GB IntelNEW: Vertex 2 SSDSweet-Spot
Size + Speed
2nd Gen Intel X-25M

Lower Price ~$220 		Rip Snortin' Vertex 2

Faster Than Ever 		Super Talent UltraDrive

ME Indilinx Series


DIY Apple Solid-State Disk Upgrades

You can upgrade an existing Mac to a solid-state drive - or configure new Macintosh computers with Build-To-Order SSD MacBook/Pro/Air options at the Apple Online Store. Solid-State flash disks are rapidly hitting the DIY consumer market. Off-the-shelf solid-state internal drive upgrades are available from electronics retailers, featuring brands such as OCZ, Patriot, PQI, G.Skill and Corsiar at NewEgg.com, the best-selling Intel X25-M 80GB Mainstream Series at Buy.com, or explore reasonable to outright cheap prices on SSD's at Amazonlowest cost SSD with its price competing 3rd party sellers.

As solid-state performance rapidly evolves, flash disks now outpace even the highest performing mechanical spinning platter drives. In 2010 in particular, SSD cost per gigabyte is falling rapidly - the last bock to mass consumer adoption. And soon even the 300mb/sec transfer rates of the current SATA II interface spec will become a bottle-neck. SSDs are getting THAT fast!

MacBook, iMac, SSD For Mac Mini

For Macs 2-3 years old - options include the Patriot Warp v.2 Series 128GB: Advertised read performance of 175 mb/sec and a 100 mb/sec write speed which can be more affordable and well matched to the many Macs with a slower SATA I speed interface. For recent or Pro models with SATA II interfaces, the OCZ Vertex & Summit 120 GB drives - offer extremely high performing drives with a new Indilinx controller and a large on-disk 64MB-128MB cache to tackle slower small file write issues.

Bargain SSD Deals

           
OCZ Agility
Reduced Price		128GB Drive
Value Performance		Sweet-Spot
Size + Speed
Agility Solid State Drive

New Low Price 		Patriot Signature Series

Around $2 per GB 		Corsair Value Series

Fast Indilinx Controller


Macintosh OSX Compatible Flash Hard Drives

OSX runs quite well on current SSDs. Its file system's block size matches well with solid-state technology and doesn't present many of the problems Windows XP users experience having to tweak drive and system configurations. As OSX advances - and flash memory SSD drives become standard equipment and not just a luxury SSD build-to-order option - further refinements to optimize OSX for flash memory storage will be present in OS X 10.6 and beyond. Apple (unfortunately) does NOT support TRIM for maintaining disk performance over it's lifespan.

Formatting A Solid State Disk For Apple

Prepare a drive for Apple computers by partitioning and formatting the new drive first. On an Intel Mac, use Disk Utility to insure you're PARTITIONING the unit with a GUID Partition Map so that the Solid-State drive is bootable! When upgrading an SSD in G5 and lesser Macs, you want the default HFS Partition type and Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Either way you've GOT TO REFORMAT THE SSD for OS X from it's original out-of-the-box PC disk format to the one that's appropriate to your Mac's processor type.

Easy DIY Flash Drive Upgradable Macs

Many Mac models present fairly simple flash drive installation. Step-by-Step take-apart instructions and the right tools can help: www.ifixit.com as well as these Other World Computing Videos have a wealth of tips for proper disassembly of your Mac, installing a solid-state drive replaccement and re-assembly. For SSD upgrades to models with 3.5" drive bays like a Mac Pro tower or G5-Intel iMac, the ICY DOCK 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter-Adapter can convert a 2.5" SATA SSD to a more standard 3.5" form factor.

Convert your 2.5" SATA SSD to standard 3.5" mounts w/an ICY DOCK
ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1 2.5

Solid-State Drive Replacement Services For Apple Computers

Some Apple computer models - particularly recent Aluminum iMacs, older G4 iBooks, and early MacBook Pro laptops are VERY-VERY difficult and need specific tools to take apart - and are best left to professional bench techs. Some laptop models have to literally be GUTTED to get to the hard drive and swap a flash drive into, and may involve up to a 100 tiny screws or more. It's too easy to KILL your computer with a slip of the screwdriver: Leave it to qualified Mac service folk who know what they're doing.

SSD For Mac Performance Leaps

2010 will be the year solid-state drives come into their own. Now easily surpassing ANY of even the top performing spinning platter drives available - they really deserve a place on your tech radar. Apple continues to expand it's flash drive offerings as a Build-To-Order option on many Mac models. An SSD should be something to seriously consider on your NEXT MACINTOSH PURCHASE if you're not up for DIY Do-It-Yourself drive upgrades. The SSD option may seem a stiff price, but if you factor in $100 price premium for labor you might pay to have a retail SSD you bought installed and your data transferred onto it - they're actually quite competitive. For small or big business users where time is money, an SSD is such a significant productivity enhancer. SSD's are really a no-brainer to getting your Mac work done faster, smoother and more efficiently.