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

[jimboutilier]

Thanks Bizy and Jim for sharing. Will be best if the warranty period is longer than 2 years as HDDs nowadays are either 5 years or even lifetime. In terms of maintenance - the balance cell writes Jim was saying, wonder if iDefrag helps?.

While any sort of conventional defrag would in theory make things worse, it looks like the equivalent is a secure wipe utility that some manufacturers include with their product followed with a restore from backup.

Hopefully we'll see something from Samsung and Runcore that runs on OS X to refresh their SSDs once they hit their performance wall.

 

[toobizy]

There's are an article here that explains the mechanics how an SSD works and what causes the slow down. It also compares detailed performances of various SSDs including the OCZ Vertex which uses the Indilinx controller that Runcore Pro IV SSDs uses:

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531&p=1&cp=21

After reading this article thoroughly, it comes to me with a few important questions which I hope Matt from Runcore can answer:

1) Does Runcore Pro IV SSDs support the TRIM command? And most importantly does OS X Snow Leopard support it too?
2) Can Runcore SSDs be flashed for future firmware upgrades?
3) Is there a similar tool such as Secure Erase provided by all Intel's X25 drives for the Runcore SSDs? - this will completely erase all pages in the SSD's flash NANDs and make it as good and new as from the factory first day (details from the article above).

These questions from UltraTux are straight to the point and it seems a few people, myself included, would appreciate the information.
Matt......... if you get a chance, please can you clear up these mysteries? (someone has already pointed out that Mac OS X doesn't support TRIM, but if Runcore SSD's do support TRIM and there is no other alternative, we could always clean the drive with a PC)
Ultimately, a secure erase app specifically for Runcore SSD's would put a lot of minds at rest.

Bizy

 

[breakfast]

...
Hopefully we'll see something from Samsung and Runcore that runs on OS X to refresh their SSDs once they hit their performance wall.

If there's smoething to this end, then I'd be sold, too!

 

[TanToday]

Hi UltraTux:

Well, its nice to know you are still getting such a response at 90% full. There is still a lot of mystery about the long-term performance of SSD's. A friend has a MBA with the supplied stock SSD's that he bought from Apple in June this year. It is now so slow that he can hardly use it. And he cannot find any reliable info anywhere about how to "clean" the drive and restore it to a new state.

Right now, I am still having fun showing people what the Runcore can do in my own MBA. No-one has seen this kind of response on opening programs and files.

Bizy

Try the product SHREDIT X

I have used it for a few years, my SSD Runcore is coming tomorrow, so I cannot report it solves the problem, but it totally restores previously used sectors to formatted status.

http://www.mireth.com/pub/sxme.html

 

[Frankae]

I'm sorry if this turns out to be a stupid question, but I am assuming that replacing the hard drive will void the warranty correct? Or will I be able to just swap the old 120GB hard drive back if ever I need to service it? I have a 1.86 GHz Rev C

Thanks

 

[UltraTux]

I'm sorry if this turns out to be a stupid question, but I am assuming that replacing the hard drive will void the warranty correct? Or will I be able to just swap the old 120GB hard drive back if ever I need to service it? I have a 1.86 GHz Rev C

Thanks

Yeah, you can swap it back easy. You don't even need to touch the battery.

 

[jetoo]

Hi,

How will you rate the level of difficulty of changing a 80gb HDD to a runcore SSD?
Do you have a link that explain how to do so? I found ifixit web site, but they removed the battery.

 

[Scottsdale]

Hi,

How will you rate the level of difficulty of changing a 80gb HDD to a runcore SSD?
Do you have a link that explain how to do so? I found ifixit web site, but they removed the battery.

It's extremely simple, but it requires some willingness to work without photo instructions. Just like I stated on first page, it's a matter of removing screws from bottom and you will see the drive. Remove some screws from the drive housing. Lightly pull off two LIF cables, insert new drive, and reattach two LIF cables that gently push in. There is a piece of tape holding the original LIF cable in place. Insert screws back in, and you're done.

If you have any experience opening a computer and doing anything, this is simple!

I am still considering making a video and some instructions, but I am dealing with some health issues currently. Maybe in the Spring... hopefully we will have a new MBA by then.

 

[Frankae]

Thank you guys for answering my question, but what I really would like to find out is that whether or not there is some kind of void tape or something to prove that the casing and components inside have been changed. If there is no void sticker I am going ahead to swap it out for sure!

 

[jimboutilier]

I'm sorry if this turns out to be a stupid question, but I am assuming that replacing the hard drive will void the warranty correct? Or will I be able to just swap the old 120GB hard drive back if ever I need to service it? I have a 1.86 GHz Rev C

Thanks

Legally in the US, a manufacturer is not permitted to void a warranty simply because you've replaced some parts with aftermarket ones. They do not of course have to cover the aftermarket parts, and if those parts or the installation of them damage the product they do not have to cover such damage.

Most of the time both legally and practically you will be ok replacing a battery, or hard drive, or memory as its so common to be expected. But when you have issues that could even remotely relate to aftermarket parts, it can be a hassle depending on the tech or store.

Get a kernal panic with aftermarket RAM, any power issues with an aftermarket battery, booting issues with an aftermarket drive - not good - put the original parts in and retest before trying warranty service.

If you are really worried about damaging your Air, places like BestBuy have apple certified techs that will replace common things like HD's Batteries for a $50 service fee. Again the new part is not covered but at least you won't have to worry about damaging your machine during the install.

Hope this helps

 

[jetoo]

Thank for all the answers, I just ordered one from runcorestore.

Hope it won't be too difficult.

 

[Scottsdale]

Thank you guys for answering my question, but what I really would like to find out is that whether or not there is some kind of void tape or something to prove that the casing and components inside have been changed. If there is no void sticker I am going ahead to swap it out for sure!

No, there is no "void" tape near it. I read something about the battery maybe having that???

 

[Scottsdale]

Legally in the US, a manufacturer is not permitted to void a warranty simply because you've replaced some parts with aftermarket ones. They do not of course have to cover the aftermarket parts, and if those parts or the installation of them damage the product they do not have to cover such damage.

Most of the time both legally and practically you will be ok replacing a battery, or hard drive, or memory as its so common to be expected. But when you have issues that could even remotely relate to aftermarket parts, it can be a hassle depending on the tech or store.

Get a kernal panic with aftermarket RAM, any power issues with an aftermarket battery, booting issues with an aftermarket drive - not good - put the original parts in and retest before trying warranty service.

If you are really worried about damaging your Air, places like BestBuy have apple certified techs that will replace common things like HD's Batteries for a $50 service fee. Again the new part is not covered but at least you won't have to worry about damaging your machine during the install.

Hope this helps

Nicely answered.

I hear people at these "certified" Apple third-party retailer stores telling people they have to pay for "certified" repairs/upgrades. That's complete BS. As Jim says here, Apple cannot void the warranty unless the third-party part causes damage OR you cause damage by doing something wrong while having the MBA open.

People get far too concerned over Apple voiding warranties. They cannot legally do it unless they prove whatever you did caused the damage you are attempting to get warranty work for. Basically, if while you open it, you break it, you will not have Apple to fall back on.

Go ahead and install the Runcore drive. Sure, keeping the drive to replace in event of other problem is a good thing but not necessary. It's just easier to not have to answer any questions.

Apple employees have NEVER asked me if I opened the computer nor who replaced my third-party components.

Buy your Runcore and enjoy it, OP!

 

[toobizy]

Installing a Runcore Drive to MB Air

Hi,

How will you rate the level of difficulty of changing a 80gb HDD to a runcore SSD?
Do you have a link that explain how to do so? I found ifixit web site, but they removed the battery.

Hi Jetoo

I recently installed a Runcore SSD to my MB Air. My experience is that it is slightly more fiddly than others have reported here, but then I am not used to doing internal surgery on computers.
Here are some warnings in plain, non-techy language (I hope):

1/ The instructions that come with the Runcore are almost non-existent and pretty useless.

2/ The screws on the base plate of the Air vary in length. In order to remember where each one goes, get a blank piece of paper and rest the screws in the same position as you removed them from the Air. Do the same with the screws you have to remove once you are inside the machine.

3/ With the base plate removed, you will have to be careful to figure out which screws are in fact the ones holding down the drive. You will also have to remove the block that holds the USB socket.
This video on YouTube was a great help to me to locate the relevant screws and to indicate which wires to unplug and move out the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flNwzqIm6J8

4/ There is a rubber frame that goes around the original drive and you will need to tear it away (it has a light adhesive) and replace it onto the new drive. Then you need to re-fit this into a hard outer frame. I found this surprisingly fiddly to do correctly and had to remove and replace it several times - I hope you find it easier. You'll see what I mean when you get there!

5/ There are no tamper tapes that you need to remove, but I'm sure that any Apple technician will know that I had been snooping around in there!

The whole operation took me about 90 minutes. It would have been a lot quicker if I had some experience inside laptops. I could probably do it again in under thirty minutes.

If you are handy with a tiny screw driver, and curious as I am - its quite satisfying to do it yourself. And the result is really worthwhile. The performance is awesome after you have done the swap.

Bizy

 

[jetoo]

Where did you order yours?
I ordered one from runcorestore and i only received one email, confirming the order. On the web site, there's an error viewing Order History.

Are they reliable? They don't even respond to mail.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

Where did you order yours?
I ordered one from runcorestore and i only received one email, confirming the order. On the web site, there's an error viewing Order History.

Are they reliable? They don't even respond to mail.

Not sure why they didn't respond, but yes they are reliable. I ordered mine on a Sunday with 2 day shipping, and got it before noon on Wednesday.

 

[toobizy]

Where did you order yours?
I ordered one from runcorestore and i only received one email, confirming the order. On the web site, there's an error viewing Order History.
:

I ordered mine from My Digital Discount, paid for overnight delivery and it arrived on time. Can't complain about their service.
Just one note about my above description of fitting the Runcore - my Air is a rev. C and there may be differences to your computer. I hope I haven't caused any more confusion than necessary.

Bizy

 

[jetoo]

No worries, I will try with ifixit link.
Hope it will arrive, since I ordered from France.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Runcore]

Where did you order yours?
I ordered one from runcorestore and i only received one email, confirming the order. On the web site, there's an error viewing Order History.

Are they reliable? They don't even respond to mail.

It is possible you are caught in what we are calling our black hole. There is a problem synchronizing some orders that have invalid info in a field from the order form. I will check it in the morning ASAP. In the mean time please PM me with your name that you placed the order under.

Thank You,

Matt Dawson CMO
Runcore

 

[Runcore]

TRIM wiper for OS X

I will contact Indilinx and see where they are at on this but in the mean time please keep looking for alternatives.

I have noticed the shuddering a bit as well usually lasts 3 seconds or so and I have been running my drive for 5 months. The time it takes for the system to hope back into motion does not bother me as I was used to waiting up to 10, 20, or 30 seconds for things to open.

Matt Dawson CMO
Runcore

 

[Abyssgh0st]

Ok, I'm loving my RunCore drive, but I'm still having boot time problems.

I've read what everyone has said about fixing it, and I just zapped the PRAM about 20 minutes ago and it still is roughly 2 minutes until it prompts me for my password while booting up. The drive partition map scheme is a GUID partition table.

What's the problem here?

 

[toobizy]

Ok, I'm loving my RunCore drive, but I'm still having boot time problems.

I've read what everyone has said about fixing it, and I just zapped the PRAM about 20 minutes ago and it still is roughly 2 minutes until it prompts me for my password while booting up. The drive partition map scheme is a GUID partition table.

What's the problem here?

I had a similar problem at the beginning but re-setting the PRAM worked. I have just timed the boot time to exactly 24 seconds and the shut-down time to just 3 seconds (after I have manually exited all the programs).
I did not partition my drive, I just did a replica of the old drive with SuperDuper.
(My computer is a rev.C MB Air with 1.86GHz processor)

Bizy

 

[Abyssgh0st]

What my boot does is like:

1. 8-10 seconds to grey screen.
2. Then the Apple logo shows up.
3. Then it does the grey loading bar, and gets to like 50% (takes 45 seconds or so), then boots.

So I just timed it (RIGHT after a PRAM reset mind you), and it took 1:54 instead of 2:45 with the stock HDD.

 

[TanToday]

After reading all the rave reviews, I went and ordered a 64GB RunCore SSD from MyDigitalDiscount.com.

Got here in three days.

Instructions suck, but I already knew how to fieldstrip and open a MacBook Air, Version 1.1 , 1.6Mhz, 80G 4200RMP drive {having done so to reapply ArticSilver grease [ solved all the overheating problems totally ]

Time to complete, about 30 min, most of which was trying to get the rubber gasket around the drive to seat properly in the MBA frame that holds it. The cables they give you are too fat for the transfer and the little case, I'm not counting the time to back up the MBA onto the drive with the included transfer clone program, but eventually it all went back together and the moment of truth arrived....

... WOW.

That is all I can say, WOW WOW.

Using Xbench 1.3 the Disktest went from 23.36 to 106.7 for a 345% increase!

It even increased the overall machine rating from 46.95 to 73.67 for a 57% increase!

I have a version A iMac Aluminum 2.4Ghz and in side by side comparisons, the dogs like Microsoft Word and Excel open about 1/3rd FASTER in the MacBook than the desktop, before it was at LEAST twice as long on the MBA.

I am totally satisfied, and I've been building computers for myself and friends, including upgrading Apples wherever possible for many years.

RECOMMENDED, it like a new machine, no, better, cause I didn't have to PAY FOR A NEW MACHINE!

 

[kaku945]

wow... now this is really something. I'm gonna get one of these even with the same disc size. Thought it'll be much more better if a 256G one comes out. But i guess by the time 256G comes out, the speed probably doubles again.