Final Thoughts
When ADATA first sent me this drive I thought to myself wait a minute it is basically the same drive as the ADATA S511 / S510 right? The only thing that really is different is the type of flash memory that is used and the SP900 has the 0 provision programming (firmware) on it. The flash is not going to make big difference as far as performance goes, so the drives are pretty much the same. The 0 provision is done with firmware, so why is ADATA not just giving current S510 / S511 owners the firmware upgrade? So in this case ADATA is giving you almost the same exact drive, with the upgraded firmware that makes it a little bit faster and gives you the 0 provision. Do you see something wrong with this picture? If I was an S510 / S511 owner I would not be that happy. If ADATA wants to release a new drive the only real difference should not just be the firmware.
Note: After speaking with ADATA they informed me that they will be releasing a firmware update for S510/S511 users around July 20th.
This drive is powered by the SandForce SF-2281 chip so performance is going to be just about the same as all of the other drives SandForce-based drives. Since this drive is 0-provision that means if you do happen to fill it up completely the performance is going to go down greatly. I would rather have the 7% still used for provisioning. I mean there really is not a big difference between 120GB and 128GB. Intel gave users more space by turning RAISE off on their 520 series solid state drives, but still kept the 7% to keep the performance up to par.
I like that the drive came with an adapter. Although many new cases have room for mounting 2.5-inch drives many older cases do not. Also the inclusion of Acronis True Image HD software is a nice addition to the total package.
If this is going to be your first solid state drive purchase you will not be disappointed. I think the whole idea of ADATA coming out with this drive and not currently offering the new firmware for the S510/S511 drives just rubs me the wrong way. Other companies such as OCZ and Kingston are already offering this firmware to users (5.0.1 and 5.0.2 is the new firmware).
Right now the 128GB version of the SP900 is selling for $99 at my favorite online retailer. Overall ThinkComputers gives the ADATA SP900 an 8 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– Good performance
– Comes with adapter and software
– 3 year warranty
Cons:
– Performance will go down when the drive is full
RIDICULOUS lasted 20 hours and died
This drive is junk 11-20% FAILURE RATE RIGHT OUT OF THE bOX
Also Adata make YOU pay Shipping for the RMA !
and then I got back a refurbished unit with the tamper seal broken
now my 3 year warranty is void
Customer service line is a recording I call and leave name and number 3 times and never get a call back
Check amazon and newegg these Adata Clowns have to be aware these drives die right out of the box Look at all the 11-20% bad reviews about it dieing right away YEt they do nothing except mess over their customers void their warranty and send them a refurbished unit that the customer pays shipping RIDICULOUS
NEVER BUY ADATA PRODUCTs
Absolutely, this drive is a joke. My second sp900 Died after 1 month of NORMAL usage. I had to return the first one, because it was very slow. I was absolutely sure that the chips are fake. The retailer didn’t believe me however. They replaced it with another sp900 with 5.0.7a firmware with signature not even present at the manufacturers list. To prove my theory (that the drive is not even close with the ones from reviews) I had to open it. The board circuit inside had nothing to do with the ones reviewed. I’m absolutely sure that A-DATA did a marketing trick with passing some good ones for reviews and flooding the marked after that with crappy ones that not even use micron chips! Stay away from that junk!