Conclusion, Pricing, and Final Thoughts
Conclusion:
PROS:
- Solid SSD performance
- Good HDD performance
- The fact that the above two bullets are possible in a single 2.5" 9.5mm package
CONS:
- Logical addressing of the SSD and HDD may be an issue for some power users
Pricing and Availability:
The intro MSRP's from WD is $299, which works out to $0.27/GB when you consider the total capacity. That's a heck of a lot closer to HDD pricing than SSD pricing. Seagate's 1TB Thin SSHD runs closer to $0.12/GB, but it doesn't come with a full blown SSD attached, and the SSHD's cache performance is nowhere near what the JMicron SSD controller is capable of pumping out.
Warranty:
- 5 years.
Final Thoughts:
Western Digital has certainly broken the mold here. No longer are you stuck with either an SSD or HDD. You're not stuck with a cached HDD, either. Now you can have a full blown SSD with 1TB of HDD storage, all in one package that fits into a single laptop HDD bay! The new JMicron controller may not be the best performer out there, but it is definitely competitive where it matters. The linking of SSD and HDD into a single logical device may be confusing at first, but it makes sense once you wrap your head around the concept. Overall I am extremely impressed with what Western Digital has produced here, and the Black2 Dual Drive is going to be at the top of my list of recommendations for the upcoming holiday season! Heck, I may even buy a few as gifts.
The WD Black2 Dual Drive gets my Editor's Choice for innovation taken to the extreme. It took some serious work to properly execute the combination of these storage technologies into a small and mobile package, and WD has pulled it off very well indeed.
Wow, I may visit you more
Wow, I may visit you more often. Hope ur still answering fan posts. This is an excellent review, but MORE so the tech discussions which cover the varied setups on laptops (my interest).
REQUEST FOR HELP – Compare Black2 with swapping current 750GB HDD into DVD-based caddy and add internal SSD.
Have Dell N5110, single 750GB HD, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. Even in sleep mode, takes like 3+ minutes to ‘wake up’ and connect to Internet. Restart even worse.
SCENARIOS
1. My present thought “was” get internal SSD, then put 750GB into DVD-based caddy. IT appears 256GB SSD safest in terms of OS “space” route, but then WHICH SSD (reliability, bang for buck)? Also, what caddy will work with my Dell N5110?
If I put the 750GB HDD in a caddy / DVD slot, THEN the POWER is always on, right? Thus the HEAT goes UP in the laptop? Does the Black2 produce MORE heat than the standard HDD?
2. Are YOU using the Black2 hybrid? It is one step easier to use the hybrid (no DVD bay mod), and I get even more storage. As I’ve never had SSD, even the “slower” Black2 write speed will seem like lightning compared to my present startup speed, I think.
Lastly, I’ll note the Dell runs very well as is, ONCE up and running. Thus any purchase is convenience for me, not necessity. I’m often using it for browsing so keep comparing to spending money on a tablet (the new-wave of convenience).
Ok, after reading the full
Ok, after reading the full article, I’d say for my ‘these days’ passive laptop use, often sleep on/off like a tablet… BUT I still want my 750GB (current) storage…
The Black2 looks very attractive, and I’ve used their 5-year warranty long ago with no issues. It’s hard to beat.
Is it possible to multi boot
Is it possible to multi boot os if they are all windows based ie Win 7 8.1 and now Win 10 ?