Page 4: Test Results, Conclusion
Test Results
Ever since Windows Vista, Microsoft has included basic benchmarking software built into the Windows OS itself. This software is called the Windows Experience Index, and its purpose is to determine whether a computer can adequately run Windows Vista or Windows 7. Before the hard numbers tests, we compared the Windows Experience Index scores for both drives in order to get a good baseline for performance between the two.
Based on these numbers, it is clear that the SSD offers sizeable performance gains over the HDD; but in order to determine just how big that difference was, we turned to HD Tach. The HD Tach tests were done using the Quick Bench option (which uses 8MB zones), then the Long Bench option (32MB zones), and finally the Full Bench test (which uses variable zone sizes). The Full Bench Tests were as follows:
The first thing to note is the sheer difference in performance between the two drives. While the burst speeds are similar for the first test, the Imation still produces a sequential read speed rating that averages about 3 times higher, even though the Hitachi itself is a performance oriented HDD. Also of note is that the performance is consistent throughout the test for the SSD, whereas the HDD performance drops off rather dramatically towards the end of the test.
As far as more "typical" performance gains go, there were definitely increases in performance across the board, especially when it came to bootup times from shutdown. While the HDD performed an average coldboot-to-login screens of about 26 seconds over three starts (plus a second or so after login), the SSD slashed the boot times all the way down to around 14 seconds, and eliminated any delay after login. Program start times were also notably decreased, and applications in general seemed to run smoother.
Conclusion
Now that SSDs are becoming affordable and large enough for most typical uses, as well as the native support of them in modern operating systems, there is little reason for them to be a niche product anymore. While prices will undoubtedly continue to fall and sizes continue to increase, the time for mainstream adoption of the technology has already come.
What does that mean for this specific drive? Well, with respect to the Imation drive, the traditional SSD price problem remains. While this is a performance-oriented SSD with a stylish design rather than a more mainstream drive, the current price of around $370 (Amazon Link) would likely still be pretty dear to those new to the SSD market, particularly for a drive that may not offer the newest SSD technologies like TRIM or Garbage Collection support. If you were to forgo the Upgrade kit, you could save about $40, but even then the price may be too steep for most people. With all that in mind, the Imation M-Class 128GB SSD still packs quite a lot of performance under its sleek shell, so if you are willing to pay the premium you may find it worth it.
Thanks to Imation for making this review possible.
Ever since Windows Vista, Microsoft has included basic benchmarking software built into the Windows OS itself. This software is called the Windows Experience Index, and its purpose is to determine whether a computer can adequately run Windows Vista or Windows 7. Before the hard numbers tests, we compared the Windows Experience Index scores for both drives in order to get a good baseline for performance between the two.
Based on these numbers, it is clear that the SSD offers sizeable performance gains over the HDD; but in order to determine just how big that difference was, we turned to HD Tach. The HD Tach tests were done using the Quick Bench option (which uses 8MB zones), then the Long Bench option (32MB zones), and finally the Full Bench test (which uses variable zone sizes). The Full Bench Tests were as follows:
The first thing to note is the sheer difference in performance between the two drives. While the burst speeds are similar for the first test, the Imation still produces a sequential read speed rating that averages about 3 times higher, even though the Hitachi itself is a performance oriented HDD. Also of note is that the performance is consistent throughout the test for the SSD, whereas the HDD performance drops off rather dramatically towards the end of the test.
As far as more "typical" performance gains go, there were definitely increases in performance across the board, especially when it came to bootup times from shutdown. While the HDD performed an average coldboot-to-login screens of about 26 seconds over three starts (plus a second or so after login), the SSD slashed the boot times all the way down to around 14 seconds, and eliminated any delay after login. Program start times were also notably decreased, and applications in general seemed to run smoother.
Conclusion
Now that SSDs are becoming affordable and large enough for most typical uses, as well as the native support of them in modern operating systems, there is little reason for them to be a niche product anymore. While prices will undoubtedly continue to fall and sizes continue to increase, the time for mainstream adoption of the technology has already come.
What does that mean for this specific drive? Well, with respect to the Imation drive, the traditional SSD price problem remains. While this is a performance-oriented SSD with a stylish design rather than a more mainstream drive, the current price of around $370 (Amazon Link) would likely still be pretty dear to those new to the SSD market, particularly for a drive that may not offer the newest SSD technologies like TRIM or Garbage Collection support. If you were to forgo the Upgrade kit, you could save about $40, but even then the price may be too steep for most people. With all that in mind, the Imation M-Class 128GB SSD still packs quite a lot of performance under its sleek shell, so if you are willing to pay the premium you may find it worth it.
Thanks to Imation for making this review possible.