Amazon has the SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) for $170 with free shipping. Select Amazon.com as merchant (in sidebar). Features 520MB/s read and 400MB/s write rate speeds. Buy.com also has it for the same price.
Intel patched and modified the Sandforce firmware, but interestingly wrote into the licensing agreement that they didn't have to give Sandforce the patched code. And they didn't.
Based on reviews, they fixed the problems Sandforce was incapable of fixing, so the Intel drives perform fine.
The Samsung line is still the best, however. This is an amazing, fast, reliable drive. I own two as well as two of the 128 gig ones.
best thing about Samsung: no Sandforce garbage to one day decide it doesn't want to function. I was astonished when Intel started using that cr@p.
Intel patched and modified the Sandforce firmware, but interestingly wrote into the licensing agreement that they didn't have to give Sandforce the patched code. And they didn't.
Based on reviews, they fixed the problems Sandforce was incapable of fixing, so the Intel drives perform fine.
The Samsung line is still the best, however. This is an amazing, fast, reliable drive. I own two as well as two of the 128 gig ones.
Intel fixed most of the problems, but there're still issues. Bill Gates is right...Go with the Samsung....you will not be sorry.
Says price is $198 and the side bar prices are same or higher