Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW
Product DescriptionUpgrading your PC with a Samsung SSD is the most economical way to breathe new life into an aging PC. The 840 EVO reads, writes and multi-tasks at incredible speeds, enhancing boot-up speed, application loading and multi-tasking performance. It's more than an upgrade, it's a complete transformation of your PC.
From the Manufacturer
With upgrades to NAND, a new controller and firmware, the 840 EVO features the latest technology, while providing class leading responsiveness under everyday workloads, enhancing boot-up, application loading, and multi-tasking performance. Its 97K IOPS powers performance that is up to 10X faster than a regular HDD. And, Samsung's TurboWrite technology delivers dramatically faster sequential write performance. This 840 EVO has a storage capacity of 250 GB and comes with software for easy installation.
TurboWrite for Faster Performance
Samsung TurboWrite technology uses an innovative write acceleration algorithm and a high-performance write buffer to dramatically boost the sequential write speeds for overall improved performance.
RAPID Mode for Efficient Data Caching
The 840 EVO includes Samsung Magician software with RAPID mode--an innovative DRAM caching enhancement which boosts PC performance by using idle DRAM as an ultra-fast buffer that improves system performance over time as the drive optimizes to your tasks.
Encryption Technology to Secure Your Data
The 840 EVO features Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) technology to encrypt your data and help keep your personal files secure. Because the technology is hardware-based, it eliminates performance degradation that can occur in software-based encryption.
Sleek, Sophisticated Design
At only 7 millimeters thick and weighing just 2 ounces, the 840 EVO Series SSD features a sleek, lightweight design. The stunning brushed aluminum design emphasizes luxury and refinement, but is durable enough to protect your data from loss due to shock, dust and corrosion.
All of the components of the 840 EVO are designed and manufactured by Samsung to ensure optimal quality, performance, and lifespan.
Included Software for Smooth Installation
This 840 EVO includes Samsung Data Migration software, which makes it simple to migrate your data, applications, and operating system from your hard disk drive to the SSD. In addition, Samsung Magician gives you all the tools to monitor, manage, and maintain your new SSD.
Easier-Than-Ever Upgrade Tools
Samsung's One-stop Installation Navigator provides a comprehensive guide for software installation, data migration, and hardware setup. The simple Samsung Data Migration software supports a powerful and unique "Custom Cloning" feature that simplifies the transition to your new SSD.
Customer Reviews: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW
By Tom Servo
Makes a noticeable speed difference from traditional hard drives
If you need some more speed from your existing PC (especially laptops) this might be what you are looking for. Let's face it, most decent computers have enough RAM (4GB or more) and a fast enough CPU for "general purpose" use. But if you find your computer is still sluggish overall performance is probably held back by the hard drive. Traditional hard drives are mechanical and are limited by the time it takes for the platters to revolve and the mechanical components to position/seek before data can be read/written. An SSD is an "electronic" hard drive with no moving parts - which means significant speedups since there is no waiting on mechanical parts. In addition SSDs are more resistant to vibration/mechanical shock than hard drives.
Replacing the stock hard drive on a laptop (Win7, 64-bit) my Primary Disk interface score went from 5.8 to 7.6 (note the highest score is 7.9) and the laptop feels much snappier - boots in half the time too. I used the included Samsung Disk Migration software to perform the disk clone (using the SSD in an external USB SATA adapter). When it was finished I simply swapped the hard drive installed in the laptop with the SSD and Windows booted as usual. Note that you need to have a functional Windows installation for the Disk Migration tool to work - you install the tool under Windows like any other app (the tool is NOT a bootable CD with its own OS).
It's too early to determine reliability, which is the one concern I have with SSDs in general. SSDs use Flash memory and some SSDs use MultiLevelCell Flash (stores more than 1 bit per cell) - this allows pricing to be lower for a given capacity. Samsung uses 3 bit per cell memory in the 840 EVO (they call it TLC) using a smaller process technology which could be somewhat detrimental for potential reliability. However the drive's spare area (for the 250GB model) is 9% allowing for remapping in case of bad/worn out blocks. I feel that Samsung is being conservative with design/flash lifetime and that's a good thing - you don't want your fast drive to drop dead or risk a data loss.
THE GOOD:
+ Reasonably priced SSD. I bought the 250GB model to replace a 500GB hard drive, still had 50GB free space with the SSD (even though it was smaller in capacity).
+ Has Disk Migration tool on CD - this will do the cloning operation from your hard drive to the SSD.
+ Hardware supports AES-256 encryption.
+ Samsung makes all of the components, from the Flash memory chips to the MEX controller. I would expect better integration and more realistic endurance ratings as a result.
THE BAD:
- I didn't realize it at the time but Samsung sells this SSD packaged 3 different ways:
1. the bare drive (with software). This is what I bought. This DOES NOT INCLUDE A USB to SATA adapter.
2. the drive/software & accessories for laptop installation (including a USB to SATA adapter)
3. the drive/software & accessories for desktop installation (including a USB to SATA adapter)
NOTE: If you buy the bare drive and you are using a laptop YOU WILL NEED A USB TO SATA ADAPTER! I used Uspeed USB 3.0 & eSATA to SATA External Hard Drive Docking Station for 2.5 or 3.5in HDD, SSD [UASP and 4TB Support] and it worked fine.
OVERALL it has made a speed improvement for me and I find using my laptop (which is a couple of years old) more enjoyable.
I hope you have found this review helpful!
By Sean
Massive Upgrade to MacBook
I have a late 2009 MacBook (the white polycarbonate one). It was performing unbearably slowly-- app switching and launching, booting, and even shutting down frequently took minutes. Scrolling in any app that accesses a lot of data (Evernote, even 1Password) was often very laggy. This was true even when I had large amounts of free/inactive memory. It was very frustrating, and I was almost ready to buy a new computer. However, I could see very high disk activity in the Activity Monitor during the slow periods and figured the bottleneck was probably my hard drive... so I went ahead and bought the Samsung 840 Evo and upgraded my RAM to 8 GB (Crucial 8 GB Kit (4 GB x 2) DDR3 1066 MT/s (PC3-8500) CL7 SODIMM 204-Pin for Mac (CT2C4G3S1067M )). Best computer decision of my life; the performance problems evaporated when I put in the Evo and the new RAM. Apps launch in seconds, no laggy scrolling, and I haven't hit the limit in terms of the numbers of things I can have open at once. Highly recommended.
P.S. Make sure you have an appropriate screwdriver (Wiha 96100 Phillips Screwdriver with Precision Handle, 00 x 40mm) and either a USB to SATA cable or a 2.5" hard drive enclosure. The screwdriver is needed to remove the bottom of the MacBook and to release the hard drive; the cable or enclosure is needed to connect the drive to your computer so you can clone your current drive before making the switch. Other screwdrivers might also work. Some articles I read suggested that a "T6" screwdriver was needed, but it wasn't for my MacBook model; can't speak about others.
Buy now: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW
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