I highly recommend the Runcore 128 GB SSD for the MBA – 3X speed and performance!

[nobackup]

You're correct, the drive's on the right side. But my left side is scorching hot. It's the black blob above the battery and to the left of the hard drive that heats up.

I've now re-formatted the drive and did a fresh install of Snow Leopard; will see if this helps. At the moment, no help at all, but the Spotlight is still indexing, so I have my hopes

When I open my Activity Monitor, I have SystemUIServer at 1.6% of CPU, Activity Monitor itself (1.6%), and Safari (0.4%). The Spotlight isn't getting shown. My fan is blazing full speed, and the whole left side is a frying pan.

My battery drains real fast now, supporting that frantic fan activity.

I'll consider the thermal paste change, but at this point I'm pondering dumping the MBA altogether. The old stock SSD is dead; the replacement at Apple was too expensive, the Runcore SSD is frying my motherboard. This MBA was my main writing machine; now I can't touch it.

As for the sleep problems, no - none at all. The firmware at my Runcore is the latest one, 1916 or whatever the heck it should be.

what happens when you swap back in your old drive ?

 

[PsyD4Me]

You really like saying the product name huh?

I love my Runcore SSD 128GB

 

[Gaijin de Moscu]

what happens when you swap back in your old drive ?

It's dead

 

[Scottsdale]

It's dead

You sure are having a lot of problems... why do you think that is? Do you have much experience working with tech?

Just wondering how your original SSD could be dead now? Sounds like cable issues to me.

 

[Gaijin de Moscu]

You sure are having a lot of problems... why do you think that is? Do you have much experience working with tech?

Just wondering how your original SSD could be dead now? Sounds like cable issues to me.

Can you stop stalking me? It's getting tiring.

My original SSD died, that's why I installed your beloved Runcore, which apparently has higher power consumption than advertised. This fact, by the way, is discussed at several other sites.

End of story.

 

[soph]

Can you stop stalking me? It's getting tiring.

My original SSD died, that's why I installed your beloved Runcore, which apparently has higher power consumption than advertised. This fact, by the way, is discussed at several other sites.

As you never cared to mention that, how was S to know?

Stalking? Man, come off it or this might easily backfire.

 

[Gaijin de Moscu]

As you never cared to mention that, how was S to know?

Stalking? Man, come off it or this might easily backfire.

How was he to know? For example, by asking me in a nice way

As for stalking, yep - it's a negative word. I used it against a person who, it seems, consistently throws negative assumptions my way, and to which I'm responding aggressively as I don't see this as fair. I may be wrong, but that's what I see.

Anyway, peace. I suggest we move on from this dead end.

 

[Scottsdale]

How was he to know? For example, by asking me in a nice way

As for stalking, yep - it's a negative word. I used it against a person who, it seems, consistently throws negative assumptions my way, and to which I'm responding aggressively as I don't see this as fair. I may be wrong, but that's what I see.

Anyway, peace. I suggest we move on from this dead end.

WTF is your problem? Seriously?

Your "experience" certainly isn't normal. I have never read about any stock SSD going bad. The vast majority of problems through installation, INCLUDING MINE, was the lack of instructions or lack of my expertise in dealing with an LIF cable.

The vast majority of Runcore users have had an excellent experience... so I have to assume that when someone has a problem LIKE I DID, it COULD BE user error, AS IT WAS IN MY CASE!

The Runcore was great for me while I used it. When there were problems they were my fault due to user error when installing. I have seemed to notice many people having problems because there are no instructions or they didn't have much tech experience and were frustrated with the small parts and precision screwdrivers/parts etc.

I still feel the few that have problems are probably as most reported due to user error or installation error due to non-expert installation and no instruction set identifying the exact process and all of the small details that leads to a perfect experience.

I haven't attacked you at all, and I have merely tried to ascertain where the problem might be in your situation. Asking experience level certainly is a part of identifying where the problem might have gone wrong with your installation. I have installed many of tech components in my day, but I had never installed an LIF cable before, so there was something that could go wrong. I believe it's where many people have problems... an instruction set might be necessary, but it doesn't mean the Runcore SSD has problems, it just means users are having problems installing properly. There is a BIG difference here.

 

[Gaijin de Moscu]

It's not "experience" - it's experience, it's real. No need to discredit it by putting it into quotation marks. If you've never read about stock SSD's going bad - it's your reading problem. Several examples are documented on the Apple's own boards. If you had a user error with the LIF cable - it was your problem, please don't assume I was all thumbs, too. I was extra careful with that cable. Shall I continue the list of your statements that I consider unfair?

Anyway, back on topic.

My installation was OK - "expert", if you'd like. I know how to assemble computers, and I certainly can do the trivial hard drive swap - especially using the ifixit's excellent instructions. I have all the tools - and my steady hands!

I don't understand why my MBA runs hotter now, even with only this Safari window open (4.6% of CPU usage by 'user', up to 6% by 'system'), but here are the stats from Istat Pro over 5 mins observation:
- Fan speed: 6,190 - 6,204 rpm
- Temp CPU: 62-68 Celsius
- Temp CPU heatsink: 50 - 54 Celsius
- Subjectively, when I keep my left hand on the left of MBA, it's uncomfortable.

Are these stats normal for an MBA with only 1 Safari window open? Never used to be this way before, although I don't have the facts from the past. Never needed to collect them.

My battery, when fully charged, now lasts 2-2.5 hours. Used to be longer before.

Elsewhere on internet, I read that Runcore's power consumption is 'higher than advertised'. Maybe that's the issue that affects the MBA's fragile temp balance? Not sure.

Anyway. I guess this SSD will bridge me to the next MBA release, and that's good enough. It's quite fast (Xbench score of around 110), albeit the system runs hot in my case.

 

[mangrove]

Original MBA-installing Runcore 128SSD

I have read through all this thread and now I must say I am confused.

Which is the Runcore for me? Model #/Part #? I believe I need a PATA ZIF model. Does RCP-IV-ZA1828C sound correct?

I must say I am very worried about the heat buildup problems some have experienced with my exact model.

What is the most fool proof software/applications install route to take?

Does anyone have updated point by point instructions which update Scottsdale's original one?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Scottsdale]

I have read through all this thread and now I must say I am confused.

Which is the Runcore for me? Model #/Part #? I believe I need a PATA ZIF model. Does RCP-IV-ZA1828C sound correct?

I must say I am very worried about the heat buildup problems some have experienced with my exact model.

What is the most fool proof software/applications install route to take?

Does anyone have updated point by point instructions which update Scottsdale's original one?

Thanks for any help.

When you go to Runcore's website, it will tell you the exact model number you need based on your model of MBA. For original it's going to be a ZIF PATA and for v 2,1 (B,C) it's going to be LIF SATA-II.

Good luck.

 

[mangrove]

Thanks for all your work.

I've never opened up a Mac yet and consider myself a real novice. Therefore, I have a real novice question.

How do you get these bench test results for xbench and another I don't remember?

Are they imbedded in Apple software somewhere? Or do you need to buy and/or download them?

 

[stoconnell]

Thanks for all your work.

I've never opened up a Mac yet and consider myself a real novice. Therefore, I have a real novice question.

How do you get these bench test results for xbench and another I don't remember?

Are they imbedded in Apple software somewhere? Or do you need to buy and/or download them?

Download the application from http://www.xbench.com/

 

[Scottsdale]

Thanks for all your work.

I've never opened up a Mac yet and consider myself a real novice. Therefore, I have a real novice question.

How do you get these bench test results for xbench and another I don't remember?

Are they imbedded in Apple software somewhere? Or do you need to buy and/or download them?

Sure. I would advise you really look at the LIF cable and ensure you open the black clip on the drive and install the new LIF cable properly. I had a big ordeal with it, because it wasn't on my drive. And I had never seen an LIF cable before. Anyways, that is the important thing to note.

Go to xBench.com, run the app and save the results with original drive. You can save the file as a .rtf. Then transfer the file to your new drive. Run the xBench app again, and see your new results. ONE NOTE... the stock SSD's drive speed has sped up considerably with OS X 10.6.4 drivers. Therefore, the speed differences have changed considerably.

One last note... I am selling my 2.13 GHz MBA with stock SSD installed back in it. It is for sale in the marketplace here. I have a brand new MBA that I am "testing" an aftermarket attached product for a third-party supplier. My deal was I get the new MBA for simply testing and reviewing it vs my stock SSD. Therefore, I don't need my MBA which has been used for a year. New is always better even if they're the same specs, sorta when it's free anyways. Funny thing is the display is actually inferior on the new MBA, but I need to sell my MBA anyways. That way I can buy a new MBA whenever Apple gets around to updating... maybe another year... or two. It also has a SuperDrive with it, and has box, original disks, manual, and etc.

 

[mangrove]

Sure. I would advise you really look at the LIF cable and ensure you open the black clip on the drive and install the new LIF cable properly. I had a big ordeal with it, because it wasn't on my drive. And I had never seen an LIF cable before. Anyways, that is the important thing to note.

Go to xBench.com, run the app and save the results with original drive. You can save the file as a .rtf. Then transfer the file to your new drive. Run the xBench app again, and see your new results. ONE NOTE... the stock SSD's drive speed has sped up considerably with OS X 10.6.4 drivers. Therefore, the speed differences have changed considerably.

One last note... I am selling my 2.13 GHz MBA with stock SSD installed back in it. It is for sale in the marketplace here. I have a brand new MBA that I am "testing" an aftermarket attached product for a third-party supplier. My deal was I get the new MBA for simply testing and reviewing it vs my stock SSD. Therefore, I don't need my MBA which has been used for a year. New is always better even if they're the same specs, sorta when it's free anyways. Funny thing is the display is actually inferior on the new MBA, but I need to sell my MBA anyways. That way I can buy a new MBA whenever Apple gets around to updating... maybe another year... or two. It also has a SuperDrive with it, and has box, original disks, manual, and etc.

Thanks STOCONNELL and to your kind reply here. What size SSD is that MBA you're selling? Guess I can look on the sales area for that.

 

[iltwtv]

Installed Runcore 128 SSD in Rev. A Air

I followed the directions at iFixit.com to install the SSD. They were great. The little yellow Phillips #00 screwdriver that came in the kit was a little too small to use since some of the screws were pretty tight. So I used a larger #00 screwdriver from a set that I have. I installed a fresh copy of Snow Leopard and then reinstalled all my applications. I installed my old 80 GB HD in the case provided in the kit.

Today is day 5 since the installation. I am very pleased with how much faster the Air is. My xbench disk value is 105. (It's 23 on my 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro with 320 GB HD.) Before the upgrade, it took about 90 seconds to boot. Now it's 35. Before the upgrade, when I launched Microsoft Word 2008, it would bounce anywhere between 20 and 24 times. Now it bounces 2-3 times and launches in about 4 seconds. This is really great. It's like buying a new machine. Plus I have an 80 GB external HD.

I have VMWare Fusion and Windows XP. It launches in 30 seconds and is much snappier.

So what about fan speed? When I was installing Snow Leopard and Office 2008 as well as downloading the latest versions of all my apps, the fan was pinned at 6200. Now that everything is installed, the fan pretty much acts the same as before. In surfing the web, the fan will rev up when watching a video or visiting pages with lots of Flash content. Otherwise, it is at 2500. Working with Microsoft Office, iWorks, and email, the fan stays at 2500. Even when using Windows XP applications, the fan stays at 2500.

Bottom line--a great upgrade that breathes new life into my 2 year old Macbook Air.

And thanks to everyone here with all the information to perform the upgrade.

 

[mangrove]

I followed the directions at iFixit.com to install the SSD. They were great. The little yellow Phillips #00 screwdriver that came in the kit was a little too small to use since some of the screws were pretty tight. So I used a larger #00 screwdriver from a set that I have. I installed a fresh copy of Snow Leopard and then reinstalled all my applications. I installed my old 80 GB HD in the case provided in the kit.

Today is day 5 since the installation. I am very pleased with how much faster the Air is. My xbench disk value is 105. (It's 23 on my 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro with 320 GB HD.) Before the upgrade, it took about 90 seconds to boot. Now it's 35. Before the upgrade, when I launched Microsoft Word 2008, it would bounce anywhere between 20 and 24 times. Now it bounces 2-3 times and launches in about 4 seconds. This is really great. It's like buying a new machine. Plus I have an 80 GB external HD.

I have VMWare Fusion and Windows XP. It launches in 30 seconds and is much snappier.

So what about fan speed? When I was installing Snow Leopard and Office 2008 as well as downloading the latest versions of all my apps, the fan was pinned at 6200. Now that everything is installed, the fan pretty much acts the same as before. In surfing the web, the fan will rev up when watching a video or visiting pages with lots of Flash content. Otherwise, it is at 2500. Working with Microsoft Office, iWorks, and email, the fan stays at 2500. Even when using Windows XP applications, the fan stays at 2500.

Bottom line--a great upgrade that breathes new life into my 2 year old Macbook Air.

And thanks to everyone here with all the information to perform the upgrade.

Thanks for your feedback. Do you recall your disk test number prior to the Air upgrade?

I am getting the idea that a clean reinstall is the way to go instead of cloning. Do you agree?

This next question will show what a novice I am, but we all have start somewhere. Once reinstalling Snow Leopard from the upgrade disks, I guess the first thing you do is look for upgrades which will be plenty since I bought mine. Sound right? Thanks again.

P.S. I got a disk test number of 34.64 on my late 2009 Mini 3,1 with 2.53 4GB and 320GB stock HD. Haven't downloaded xbench yet on my Air. I will put a Seagate Momentus XT into the Mini any day now. OWC recommends cloning, but I am about to just do the Mini the way you did with your Air.

Probably will take a lot longer to reinstall all apps with corresponding files, but it's results we are after in the end.

 

[iltwtv]

Thanks for your feedback. Do you recall your disk test number prior to the Air upgrade?

I am getting the idea that a clean reinstall is the way to go instead of cloning. Do you agree?

This next question will show what a novice I am, but we all have start somewhere. Once reinstalling Snow Leopard from the upgrade disks, I guess the first thing you do is look for upgrades which will be plenty since I bought mine. Sound right? Thanks again.

P.S. I got a disk test number of 34.64 on my late 2009 Mini 3,1 with 2.53 4GB and 320GB stock HD. Haven't downloaded xbench yet on my Air. I will put a Seagate Momentus XT into the Mini any day now. OWC recommends cloning, but I am about to just do the Mini the way you did with your Air.

Probably will take a lot longer to reinstall all apps with corresponding files, but it's results we are after in the end.

I didn't do an xbench prior to the upgrade. But if you google "runcore xbench" you'll find results.

I think the clean install is a better way to go. At least if something is wrong, you don't have to worry that it was due to cloning. Plus, it contributed to that "new machine" feel.

Regarding reinstalling SL, iFixit has a guide for that too. There is a link at the end of the HD replacement guide. I have the external SuperDrive, so installing from the disk was no problem. I understand it can be done remotely, but may take longer.

One advantage of reinstalling VMWare Fusion. I've upgraded from version 1 to version 2 to now version 3.1. The virtual machine took up 20 GB on the HD. Now it's 7 GB, which I understand is a product of the new version if you install it fresh. I was concerned about the activation of Windows XP, but it activated with no problem, probably because it was 2 years ago that I first installed it. It's performance is also much snappier.

Good luck.

 

[mangrove]

Thanks for everything. Here's to faster computing!

 

[grinny11]

I really want the Runcore for my rev C since i have the stock HD and its killing me its so slow.

It sounds like they haven't fixed the hangs from standby on the 128gb. I think the 64gb is too small. I really want to go to a SSD though. It scares me that Runcore support is not responding to people.

 

[Scottsdale]

I really want the Runcore for my rev C since i have the stock HD and its killing me its so slow.

It sounds like they haven't fixed the hangs from standby on the 128gb. I think the 64gb is too small. I really want to go to a SSD though. It scares me that Runcore support is not responding to people.

It is difficult for them, because they don't realize when their third party resellers aren't handling issues.

I believe the Runcore SSD is still a solid piece of hardware. There have been some problems for some people, but I still believe the vast majority enjoy their Runcore.

If you have an HDD, I believe you would LOVE a Runcore. If you have a standard SSD, probably not worth it right now... Apple has upgraded the software, drivers, etc... and it's running better than ever.

If you do have the HDD, you saved $300, so use that to buy yourself a Runcore.

Good luck.

 

[grinny11]

Thanks Scottsdale. I have followed your advice on here for a while but I just don't think I want to spend a few hundred dollars and take my chances that I may have problems in the future with no support. I really just want a very reliable Air.

I decided to pull the trigger on a SSD rev C model on ebay and I will be putting my HDD rev C on ebay. I know I will probably lose out a few hundred dollars but hey, thats the price of any new technology and wanting the greatest.

Sometimes that happens. At the time I couldn't afford the SSD model and now I can and I am okay with that.

Thanks for you advice scottsdale, it is much appreciated.

 

[grinny11]

Well got my Rev C with the SSD. It is so fast it's like night and day. I love my Macbook Air again. Its a speed demon! So happy!

 

[aznpride]

i got my runcore too but I think a mbp would serve my needs better, anyone know how much a rev b 1.86ghz with 128gb runcore ssd usually goes for in the marketplace? thanks

 

[happyslayer]

Well... it was a sad day today.

In the middle of a job troubleshooting a server using my Air to surf the web for Technet articles, my Air froze up.

The only thing I could do was power down the hard way - hold down the power button for several seconds.

When I tried to reboot it bonged, then sat gray for a while and flashed the dreaded blinking folder with the question mark. My Runcore 128 would no longer boot

Sadly, I could get nothing more for about an hour. Then, after repeated attempts to clear the SMC (per the Apple Support site) holding down Shift-ctrl-option and the power button until led flash, I finally got it to boot... for about twenty minutes. During that time it ran VERY slow. Anything that required HD access went painful. Also, per iStat menus, it ran quite hot - upper 70's C. Weird.

I tried to get a last Time Machine Backup but, alas, no love for me. It acted like it was doing it, then it stopped, then it froze again and no more booting.

<sigh>

Anyway, I installed my stock Samsung 128 SSD back in the Air, booted to the Snow Leopard CD and restored my Time Machine backup from last week. It took about three hours over the wifi.

Obviously, I'm back up and running now and all seems to be fine and my temps are back to normal. But I am very disappointed with the Runcore. Less than a year and it failed. Also, I'm one of the ones that has had the constant freezes after letting my Air sleep so maybe it always had problems.

Anyway, does anybody know Runcore's return/replacement policy. I will look it up tomorrow (er later today actually) morning. For now, I am at least back up and running.

Oh well, off to bed now. Night all.