SSD 510 compatibility problems with Macbook Pro

[idata]

Hello,

it seems there is a compatibility problem between the Intel 510 Solid State Disks and the new (early 2011) Macbook Pro. A lot of people (including me) are experiencing problems with this SSD in their new Macbook Pros. See for example

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122 http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122

http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html (German)

To be fair, there seem to be similar problems with Crucials C300

http://forum.hardmac.com/index.php?s=0c6a8e832764fd8a9497e34b57df7b68&showtopic=9921&pid=17870&st=0&... entry17870

The problem may be related to the SATA 3 mode utilized between the mentioned SSDs and the Intel Sandy Bridge SATA-Controller. I don't know and can't tell if Apple or Intel are responsible for these problems, but I think it is in the uttermost interest of Intel to resolve them (or make Apple resolve them). Otherwise Intel will have a hard time selling new SSDs to Apple owners...

The http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-029623.htm# 4 Intel SSD FAQ states:

All Intel Mainstream Solid-State Drives are tested and validated on the latest Intel-based notebook and desktop platforms.

I bought Intel for getting a reliable SSD for use in my Intel based notebook. Now it isn't working properly at all. I'm very disappointed.

regards,

Markus

[idata]

In Scott's defense, I'm not sure this is an Intel problem, at least with the SSD anyway. I have a Crucial C300 (also a SATA III drive) and it does not work in my early 2011 MBP 17. It came straight out of a mid-2010 MBP 17, and when I put it in the new machine it would not boot. Using the included install DVD, I tried to reformat the drive and start from scratch, but the format failed and produced an error. I swapped it back into the old laptop, did a restore, and things worked just fine again.

I also had a Vertex 2 on hand (SATA II) and installed that in my 2011 MBP 17 and it is working just fine so far. So, it does look like the problem is not limited just to Intel's 510 series but rather anything with a SATA III interface. That said, since I believe it is an Intel SATA controller that Apple is using on the logic board, it would make sense that Intel and Apple come up with a joint solution, though it is likely not the same team that developed the 510.

I plan on calling Apple today just to see if I can get some traction and at least add to the noise to entice them to work towards a solution to this issue.

Cheers.

[idata]

Has anyone tried replacing the SATA III cable? Read this article recently posted on Hardmac.com: http://www.hardmac.com/news/2011/04/06/sata-iii-problem-in-the-2011-macbook-pro-the-cable-is-truly-t... http://www.hardmac.com/news/2011/04/06/sata-iii-problem-in-the-2011-macbook-pro-the-cable-is-truly-t....

I feel that most of the users on this forum are having issues with the 17", not the 15" which leads me to believe it may be your cables.

[idata]

Just got my S-510 250 GB today. Packed on 14th of march in Taiwan. Version PWG2

System : MB Pro 8,2 15" i7 Quad 2.0GHz 8GB RAM Antiglare - shipped 7th of march 11

Took it into an external USB Adapter case - used Carbon Copy Cloner (File method) and made a clone from the original drive. Switched it off and replaced the internal HD with the SSD. Reseted SMC and PRAM and the "JET" took off. Slowly in first stage (took 1 minute) - repairing permissions but after 2nd boot it took me 16 sec after pushing power button ! Sudden Motion is still on - do not understand why people switch it off. Also HD idle in Energy Savings is on. Full loaded battery reports 8:14 (screen on half brightness) Airport on, BT off

Putting into sleep - space- and its back again !

About this Mac: its on S-ATA III (6 GBits)AJA -System Test reports (128MB) : Write 280MB/s Read 310MB/sPS5 starts in 3 sec. , Word 2011 in 2 sec, and ....

If theres a change I´ll report

[idata]

Hi

I yesterday installed my new intel 510 SSD, in mu MBP 2011, instead of my "old" OWC SSD 230 extreme. I reset the system so it runs at 6 gb/s, but after using it a day it feels much slower as my old drive. I know, this is maybe the wrong to ask this question, and I'm happy my system works after reading all this trouble here.

is here anyone who has the same?

thanks a lot, and sorry for my bad english

Karel

[idata]

It should definitely not feel much slower than your old SSD. Sounds like you might have a problem. Is it "beachballing" or blocking occasionally or is it constantly slow all the time? Any hard disk related errors in syslog when it blocks? (Enter 'tail -f /var/log/system.log' in a terminal window to see a live log.)