[simpler=better]

I have this crazy idea:

Solder in a 16gb usb drive for Windows XP and programs
Use the 160gb SATA drive for storage
Disable the paging file and install 2GB ram

Will this give me the best of both worlds?
Fast booting, long battery life&low heat (when web browsing/etc)
Tons of space when I need it

[bmcclure937]

The only issue I see here is that running an OS from a USB flash drive for an expanded period of time will rapidly degrade the drive performance. Since flash memory is only made for a set number of read/write sequences and running your OSX requires a lot of reading/writing... although this would take some time to degrade, your performance would drop after some time and would eventually not work.

Someone please jump in and correct me if I am wrong, but I would avoid running an OS from a flash drive for any extended periods of time. (such as permanently)

*EDIT* : and before anyone jumps in and makes a smart comment about SSDs being flash as well... and those being able to run OSes fine, I think they employ different technology than a USB flash drive. But, as I have mentioned before... please let me know if I am wrong!

[Dannylivi]

bmcclure937 You are correct there.

Well SSD's do have a set amount or read and writes that it can preform but SSD's have a lot more than a normal USB drive.

Also running from a USB will impact preformance greatly of running of the system and if you accidentally remove your USB drive when turned on you face corrupting your whole OS as i have done the same with my USB hard drive, i noticed mac is a lot more picky on removing while in use.

~Danny

[bmcclure937]

Thank you for confirming my comments.

He would not have to worry about accidentally removing the USB because he plans to mod his netbook and house the flashdrive internally in the Mini

[reflex]

Originally Posted by bmcclure937

The only issue I see here is that running an OS from a USB flash drive for an expanded period of time will rapidly degrade the drive performance. Since flash memory is only made for a set number of read/write sequences and running your OSX requires a lot of reading/writing... although this would take some time to degrade, your performance would drop after some time and would eventually not work.

Someone please jump in and correct me if I am wrong, but I would avoid running an OS from a flash drive for any extended periods of time. (such as permanently)

*EDIT* : and before anyone jumps in and makes a smart comment about SSDs being flash as well... and those being able to run OSes fine, I think they employ different technology than a USB flash drive. But, as I have mentioned before... please let me know if I am wrong!

I think SSDs tend to reserve more space for wear-leveling than lesser flash devices, which should make them last longer under heavy use. Also, SSDs probably have smarter controllers, more cache, etc. But the underlying tech is the same.

So, yes. I expect a SSD will last longer than a USB drive under heavy use. But SSDs are still cutting edge, so there's probably wide variation in lifetimes, too.


Also, to the OP.

I love the idea of a small SSD paired with a large HDD. But USB drives tend to have poor performance. I don't know if you'll be happy with the result.

[simpler=better]

I am aware of the limited rewrites.
Besides the paging/swap file, what does Windows write to the hard drive?
It is possible to make windows point at other drives for the desktop, my documents, program files, etc. I wonder if it's possible to port any temporary writes to a second flash drive....


Assuming I had a SSD ported through USB internally, would the USB-SSD interface be slower than that of a SATA-HDD?
My understanding is that the 10v has leads(but no connector) for a modified PCI-E interface. Would it be possible to port a full-fledged SSD through this?

[reflex]

Originally Posted by simpler=better

Assuming I had a SSD ported through USB internally, would the USB-SSD interface be slower than that of a SATA-HDD?

I think few flash drives max out USB, and USB's speed is far slower than a SATA SSD.

A USB drive may offer adequate performance (my Mini 9's SSD is as slow as a fast USB drive), but I don't know if "adequate" performance is worth the effort.