A few key data for my system:
Notebook Samsung P560 Pro
Intel Core2Duo P8700 2.53GHz
MS Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center, 32Bit
4GB RAM, suitable for 32bit only 3GB
I have the Seagate SSHD very satisfied since 2 weeks in daily use and agree. The relocation of the system of SSD to the new disk was not an issue (True Image by Acronis Image HD). Here are some impressions on my part in direct comparison with an SSD.
Before long, the Seagate drive nearly reached at boot and at launch frequently used programs, the performance of the previous SSD. The system boot lasts - can be to the Windows Explorer started - about 25 seconds; here the SSD was not running noticeably faster. That the launch of Windows 8 less than 10 seconds is advertised as possible, perhaps may be true of a naked Windows. But once the system is fully assembled and applications, tools, drivers, updates, etc. are installed, the value is out of reach - as with SSDs. And here I speak from experience, I have 2 other PC systems with SSDs in use.
Advantages of Seagate SSHD:
- Very successful concept with a combination of HDD and Flash memory
- Virtually inaudible
- Is not too warm, at least from the outside of the notebook can not be felt
- Super space (in the Windows Disk Management 931GB like all 1TB drives)
- Very good performance when booting and working with Windows' own programs, hardly contrast to SSD
- Very cheap
Disadvantages:
- Higher energy consumption causes 10% shorter battery life (compared with Samsung SSD)
- Reading or copying of infrequently used data lasts as long as in normal HDD, a SSD is consistently high performant
- Briefly intensive use of rarely used programs and data temporarily destroyed good performance
In sum, I am very pleased with the Seagate SSHD. In regular operation, the Seagate SSHD is nearly as fast as an SSD; it behaves exactly as expected or predetermined conceptually. The temporary performance degradation (see cons) are bearable in view of the huge space available. A clear selling point is the price of well under 100 euros for the 1TB version, a great price / performance ratio.
Therefore I a strong buy recommendation!