New superfast SSD for rev b/c?

[Gadgetman99]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...20200&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4205wt_1167

Almost looks like a great solution for us rev b/c users. Now if the price gets down to about $300...

 

[mackhydr4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...20200&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4205wt_1167

Almost looks like a great solution for us rev b/c users. Now if the price gets down to about $300...

A potential way around this is to sell the stock SSD for $300(ideally after applicable fees depending where you sell).

$449 - $300 = $149

or (if there's a market for 120gb HDD)

$449 - $249 = $200

[the above was calculated thru Geek calculator, aka Early Adopter aka Mr. Disposable Income Generator]

 

[cheapa55]

how come it doesn't work on rev A?

 

[stoconnell]

how come it doesn't work on rev A?

The Runcore drive in question is a SATA drive with a LIF (low insertion force) interface; whereas, the Rev A MacBook Air uses a PATA drive with ZIF (zero insertion force) connector.

 

[MacModMachine]

old news,

the runcore has been out for a bit, i purchased one and it did not work out of the package. sent it back.

company sucks


if you go to runcore's site they offer them for rev a up to 128gb.

 

[Scottsdale]

I feel those who have installed the Runcore are getting a great drive. There have been numerous reports initially that people were sent the wrong cable or it didn't work in MBA. However, every post I have read lately about it has been positive.

The thing is they're showing the Runcore SSD vs HDD 4200 rpm in their screen shots. However, the Runcore is also outperforming the Apple SSD but marginally. I would say if you have an HDD and you want to upgrade to SSD, this is a good option (only option right now).

 

[caonimadebi]

The thing is they're showing the Runcore SSD vs HDD 4200 rpm in their screen shots. However, the Runcore is also outperforming the Apple SSD but marginally. I would say if you have an HDD and you want to upgrade to SSD, this is a good option (only option right now).

xBench Disk Test scores:
2.13Ghz/Stock SSD: 86.89
2.13Ghz/Runcore SSD: 176.54
http://www.runcore.com/content/prod...mages/RCP-IV-LA1800-Cth.jpg&GBSize=32GB-128GB
This is a whopping 103% increase in disk performance over the stock SSD. The Runcore is by no means a performance SSD, and this gives you an idea how incompetent the stock SSD is. Even $300 is quite a premium over the HDD model considering the low specs.

 

[Scottsdale]

xBench Disk Test scores:
2.13Ghz/Stock SSD: 86.89
2.13Ghz/Runcore SSD: 176.54
http://www.runcore.com/content/prod...mages/RCP-IV-LA1800-Cth.jpg&GBSize=32GB-128GB
This is a whopping 103% increase in disk performance over the stock SSD. The Runcore is by no means a performance SSD, and this gives you an idea how incompetent the stock SSD is. Even $300 is quite a premium over the HDD model considering the low specs.

While you may consider the stock SSD incompetent, the HDD is 5x to 10x more incompetent than the stock SSD! Even a Samsung SSD SATA-II converted to LIF via soldering is double the performance which shows Apple is limiting the stock Samsung SSD.

I am very happy with the Samsung SSD Apple is using. Could it be faster, sure, but as it is it's faster than an average MBP with 7200 rpm HDD. That is how I baseline performance, and the MBA has a fine performer with a stock SSD. With an HDD the performance is ridiculously limited and severely strained and slow against any other laptop on the market.

 

[mhnajjar]

xBench Disk Test scores:
2.13Ghz/Stock SSD: 86.89
2.13Ghz/Runcore SSD: 176.54
http://www.runcore.com/content/prod...mages/RCP-IV-LA1800-Cth.jpg&GBSize=32GB-128GB
This is a whopping 103% increase in disk performance over the stock SSD. The Runcore is by no means a performance SSD, and this gives you an idea how incompetent the stock SSD is. Even $300 is quite a premium over the HDD model considering the low specs.

Well said. Apple provided a cheap part as usual for $$$. However, it is shame that Samsung never updated its performance.

As for the HDD, I do not know why people keep complaining about it since it is doing more than great. The difference is very few seconds no more when it comes to opening applications. Many gave Apple tons of $$$ for the cheap SSD and they want to assure themselves that they are getting what they paid for so they do not feel the guilt LOL

 

[stylinexpat]

xBench Disk Test scores:
2.13Ghz/Stock SSD: 86.89
2.13Ghz/Runcore SSD: 176.54
http://www.runcore.com/content/prod...mages/RCP-IV-LA1800-Cth.jpg&GBSize=32GB-128GB
This is a whopping 103% increase in disk performance over the stock SSD. The Runcore is by no means a performance SSD, and this gives you an idea how incompetent the stock SSD is. Even $300 is quite a premium over the HDD model considering the low specs.

This runcore SSD looks pretty good.

 

[Gadgetman99]

This runcore SSD looks pretty good.

Yes, I am thinking of getting one. It comes with an external usb enclosure and HD clone software. You install the software, plug in the SSD (into the USB), clone your HD to the SSD, then shut down, swap out the units and reboot into your normal machine, but with SSD sweetness. You then also gain an external USB backup drive (with a capacity of your old HD). All in all, looks hard to beat.

 

[dudup]

When I got this SSD MBA, I did a quick and dirty boot comparative with my previous 15" MBP which I equipped with a OCZ Vertex SSD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPmfH4dYWtw

Even considering the hardware differences between the two machines, I think there's a huge gap between these two SSDs. Actual real world usage can get quite different also.

 

[AIRniloc]

so how many people out there have actually installed the runcore on their rev b/c?

what are the speed differences and xbench / geek score comparisons?

forgive me if there is already another thread for this, i am very lazy

 

[breakfast]

When I got this SSD MBA, I did a quick and dirty boot comparative with my previous 15" MBP which I equipped with a OCZ Vertex SSD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPmfH4dYWtw

Even considering the hardware differences between the two machines, I think there's a huge gap between these two SSDs. Actual real world usage can get quite different also.

So, you're saying OCZ Vertex SSD is pretty top notch?

Geez, what is it that takes the MBA so long to power up in your video? Looks odd to me. Doubt it has anything to do with the stock SSD.

 

[MacModMachine]

So, you're saying OCZ Vertex SSD is pretty top notch?

Geez, what is it that takes the MBA so long to power up in your video? Looks odd to me. Doubt it has anything to do with the stock SSD.

vertex is not top notch, it takes a back seat to intel, always will....

 

[breakfast]

Oops, didn't even know that there's INTEL SSDs out there. Always thought of Samsung and the likes. Thanks!

 

[dudup]

vertex is not top notch, it takes a back seat to intel, always will....

sure, but it's not that difference, i think they sit side by side with them:

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531&p=29

they're definitely way better than apple's stock ssd. i'll record this same drive on a 13" MBP (2.26ghz 2gb) so we can get a better comparison, but the difference will be huge anyway, i'm 100% sure of that.

 

[dudup]

Geez, what is it that takes the MBA so long to power up in your video? Looks odd to me. Doubt it has anything to do with the stock SSD.

AFAIK from the power on to the moment when the apple logo appears, it's mainly because the MBA has additional boot options like wifi for remote disc.

but after it chooses the correct partition to boot up (the moment the apple logo appears), it's all about the ssd.

usually the "ajax spinning thingy" below the apple logo will do 5.5 to 6 full circles when booting the MBA.

on the MBP using OCZ Vertex, it's 0.5 spins

 

[Macintox]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...20200&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4205wt_1167

Almost looks like a great solution for us rev b/c users. Now if the price gets down to about $300...

Strange ...the text in the add is about a 128GB HD and the photo a 64GB HD ????

 

[Gadgetman99]

Strange ...the text in the add is about a 128GB HD and the photo a 64GB HD ????

Correct. I sent a message to verify it is actually 128gb. I don't believe I got a response. I think he just reused an old picture of a 64gb unit.

 

[Gadgetman99]

Interesting comparison of the Runcore SSD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PqD_ULy-TM&feature=related

 

[teamoo]

Did some XBench on this thing...

Results 204.27
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.6.1 (10B504)
Physical RAM 2048 MB
Model MacBookAir2,1
Drive Type RunCore 64G-C SSD
Disk Test 204.27
Sequential 164.78
Uncached Write 210.66 129.34 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 226.41 128.10 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 81.74 23.92 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 347.59 174.69 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 268.65
Uncached Write 95.17 10.07 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 367.52 117.66 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 2210.49 15.66 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 827.80 153.60 MB/sec [256K blocks]

 

[Gadgetman99]

Results 204.27
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.6.1 (10B504)
Physical RAM 2048 MB
Model MacBookAir2,1
Drive Type RunCore 64G-C SSD
Disk Test 204.27
Sequential 164.78
Uncached Write 210.66 129.34 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 226.41 128.10 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 81.74 23.92 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 347.59 174.69 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 268.65
Uncached Write 95.17 10.07 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 367.52 117.66 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 2210.49 15.66 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 827.80 153.60 MB/sec [256K blocks]

I assume you have one installed? If so, how did it go and how do you like it?

 

[tsubikiddo]

Results 204.27
Model MacBookAir2,1
Drive Type RunCore 64G-C SSD

I assume you have one installed? If so, how did it go and how do you like it?

Mate, it's a RunCore SSD

Re:teamoo
man, it's smoking!
would you mind if you can clarify for me the content of the package?
do they provide the mini-screwdrivers ? the ribbon cable?
what else was in there besides from the SSD itself?

cheers!

 

[teamoo]

Mate, it's a RunCore SSD

Re:teamoo
man, it's smoking!
would you mind if you can clarify for me the content of the package?
do they provide the mini-screwdrivers ? the ribbon cable?
what else was in there besides from the SSD itself?

cheers!

Sure!

So what's inside:

• drive itself
• ribbon cable
• screwdriver
• another screwdriver + 8 screws for external case
• external runcore case for a 1.8" drive
• USB to mini-USB cable

The external case is not the nicest thing on earth, but well you can put a drive inside (perfectly for your old hdd that you've got after installing the runcore ssd)

the screws are like some woodscrews, they are ultra-mini, i don't think you can use them again, but the case is just a little goodie.

There was no software in the package, although installation instructions said "use the software blabla".

Installation was very easy.

Use Carbon Copy to duplicate your drive. It will tell you that the drive is NOT bootable. Just formatted the drive exactly like my internal hdd is formatted, same name etc. Started Carbon Copy again and got a green lamp saying "drive is bootable" or something similar.

I didn't use the screwdriver that was in the package, because i've got some better tools in my house, but i think it will do the job.

Just unscrew all the screws on the bottom and then just the 4 fixing the drive frame. One is a bit hidden under a black piece of plastic, that is glued onto the frame, so you have to remove this one.
Don't worry, it's this very thick glue, so it's still very sticky and you can reapply it to the frame after the new drive is installed.

Drive back in, no problems at all.

I assume you have one installed? If so, how did it go and how do you like it?

jepp.
went great (see above). plug in, format, carbon copy 2-3hrs, install, that's it.

It seemed like the first startup (boot time) took way longer that using the hdd (stopped the time), but it seems to be much faster now. but starting programms is really fast right now.



I'm not that focused right now, just ask some questions and I'll answer them.