SanDisk ReadyCache 32 GB SATA 3 Solid State Drive – Product Review
I’ve received this Cache SSD through Amazon’s Vine program, and it turns out that this product is different form what I had expected it to be. So let me start this review with a couple of things that this SSD is not, so there is no confusion if you are considering buying it.
1. This is NOT a regular SSD that can replace any other hard drive. The purpose of this SSD is to act as a cache in tandem with your existing hard drive.
2. This is NOT a product that is compatible with all computers and/or operating systems. This is a product designed to work only with Windows 7 machines.
Once I got over the above limitations, though, I was able to install it on my old Windows 7 PC, which I’ve been using as a media-center PC for some time. That machine has been acting slower and slower over the years, and even with an upgraded memory it was becoming painfully slow to use. This was particularly true with launching and closing of the various programs, and especially with the boot up time. So I welcomed a chance to improve my old computer’s performance.
Installing this SSD is relatively straightforward, although you should be comfortable opening up electronic devices and fiddling with screws and cables. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, I recommend you ask for help from a computer-savvy friend or a relative. The SSD fits perfectly into an existing SATA HD slot.
Once you install this SSD you will need to download additional software and activate it with the activation code that came with this package. This is all a very straightforward process, although in my opinion requiring activation code is an unnecessary step.
Once the software is installed and working, it will take a few restarts and re-launches of your most accessed applications before you start seeing some improvements. However, the improvements are definitely real and substantial. I don’t know about the factors of 4 or 12 that are claimed on the package, but my experience has been very positive.
If you were looking to boost your old Windows 7 machine then I would definitely take a look at this SSD Cache. It will make your computer feel relevant for at least a couple more years. For $50 that is a great proposition IMHO. However, if you were looking for a more versatile SSD I would definitely look for other options.
About the Author
Bojan Tunguz
Bojan Tunguz was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which he and his family fled during the civil war for the neighboring Croatia. Over the past two decades he has studied, lived and worked in the United States. He is a theoretical physicist with degrees from Stanford and University of Illinois. Tunguz has taught physics at several prominent liberal arts colleges and has been writing about physics, science and technology for more than a decade. He also has a wide spectrum of interests, and reads and writes about current events, society, culture, religion and politics. Over the years he has reviewed many of the books that he has read, and posted his reviews on various online outlets. In 2011 he had become a top 10 reviewer on Amazon.com, where he continues to be very active. Aside from reading and writing, Tunguz enjoys traveling, digital photography, hiking, and fitness. He resides with his wife in Indiana. You can follow my review updates on the following pages as well: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tunguzreview Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tunguzreviews Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104312842297641697463/posts
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