Samsung SpinPoint M6 500GB 2.5" SATA-300 8MB Cache 5400 RPM Internal Notebook Hard Drive - HM500LI

Pros: Easy To Install, Reliable, Quiet, Fast
Best Uses:
Describe Yourself: Heavy Duty User
Primary use: Business

recommended

I got in on this HD's benefits early in the run, buying it when first released in summer, 2008. I now have it in 3 different notebooks, two Acer brand and now a new Sony multi-media notebook that did have a very fast Hitachi 7200RPM HD in it OEM. But substance wins out over speed in the long run, and this HM500LI 2.5" HD is fast, accesses data virtually as fast as a 7200RPM HD does, and still boasts the highest capacity w/3 platters in the industry. First use is probably best to discuss here, so I'll comment on the Acer 5920 notebook's performance with this HD after 9 months of use. I use both of my full-sized notebooks for three principal things: building and maintaining web pages, which entails storing a lot of files and privileged content of significant size; maintaining my calendar, scheduling, and appointments for my business along with Word Processing; temporary storage of large amounts of audio/video footage from an AVCHD HD video camera, prior to using it in composing client DVD's. Since installing the HM500LI last August in the Acer 5920 I've stored and taken out, used, composed, and otherwise pushed its limits dozens of times, literally filling up its 465GB capacity on occasion before emptying it, sometimes many days later. I've got it partitioned into Windows Vista's maximum 4-partitions: 1) OS and applications; 2) multimedia storage; 3) web page applications and storage; 4) emergency capsule, rescue disc content. I routinely use one utility to "fix" it after storing and dumping large amounts of data, making a movie presentation for a client, or other disk-intensive task, and that's called Registry Mechanic by PC Tools, which I recommend to anyone who uses HD's to their maximum potential, and/or stores critical data on the HD and can't risk a crash or problems because of broken Registry Files. The "mechanic" often finds hundreds of damaged Registry Files after I use the HD for weeks and never tend to it, and it's saved my bacon many, many times. Anyway, the HM500LI has always performed with 100% reliability, I always have confidence that my critical files, media, and trusted applications will survive another day, and best of all, for as much as I abuse the HD, it's never had to have a reformatting, or "rescue" procedure of any type. I was skeptical of Samsung's expertise in making such a critical piece of a notebook as a heavily-used large capacity HD, but no more...they have obviously done their homework, and are making the best HD's in the business IMO. I have, as an aside, installed this HD in dozens of applications since last summer in client's and friends and family's notebook computers and PSP's, and I've yet to hear of a single failure or major problem, so there you go...you figure it out! This notebook HD is apparently the best one there is, and I wouldn't go springing off the board into Seagate's camp just because they are now making a 2nd 500GB 2.5" HD in the marketplace...buyer beware of Seagate! They have had major QC issues, firmware issues, platter failing issues, all kinds of significant problems with their full-sized HD's in the past 3 years, and their reputation is in the John by now, so be careful if you're thinking of one of their's...the Samsung is the one to get, still the industry standard, and certainly the most reliable 2.5" 500GB HD made. I work in the industry as a computer technician, as for my qualifications to write such a thing, and 1st-hand experience always talks loudest for me: I have it with the Samsung HM500LI. The 3rd PC notebook I own that I have this HD installed in is an Acer One netbook, which is also used like the other two notebooks are--but on remote assignments vs. home turf. Even in that small form-factor computer there are no issues of noise, heat or hot-running, and I have 100% confidence in that HD to do what I ask of it. I gave the HM500LI 5 stars, and you will too once you try it out.

Pros: Easy To Install, Fast
Best Uses:
Describe Yourself: Casual User
Primary use: Personal

recommended

I installed the HD into my MAC Pro notebook. It works great and have a lot of space.

Pros: Fast, Reliable Performance, Easy To Install
Best Uses: Gaming
Describe Yourself: Casual User
Primary use: Personal

recommended

I bought this HDD upgrade before I even got my PS3 so i wouldn't have to transfer anything. After the installation you need a flash drive to download the latest update from Sony's website. Then you put the update on your flash drive inside an update folder and the update folder needs to be inside of a PS3 folder so that the system will read it. After the OS install and update there are 413 GB left. Great product!!! Biggest drive currently available for use in a PlayStation 3!

Pros: Reliable Performance, Fast, Easy To Install, Great price from SuperM
Best Uses: Main laptop drive
Describe Yourself: Power user
Primary use: Personal

recommended

Specifications for this drive (from Samsung):[@] very good drive for this price. One of the biggest drives in it's class at this point in time. Just wished they have a 32mb buffer version than it's current 8mb buffer.

Pros: PS3 Compatible, Reliable Performance, Fast, Easy To Install
Best Uses: Upgrade your PS3
Describe Yourself: Power user
Primary use: Personal

recommended

I upgraded my PS3 with one of these in less than 10 minutes. Very easy to do. And it fits perfectly. Games loads perfectly. Simply awesome.