WD Black2 Dual Drive 2.5" 120 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD USD $203.72 Delivered @ Amazon

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UnciasDream on 24/08/2014 - 13:31 amazon.com (194 clicks)
Last edited 24/08/2014 - 17:12 by 1 other user

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The Black2 consists of a 120GB SSD and 1TB dual-platter 5400rpm hard drive. It's not a hybrid drive (or SSHD) by definition like the Momentus XT because there's no caching involved. The SSD and hard drive appear as separate partitions, giving the end-user the power to decide what data goes to the SSD and what doesn't. WD calls the Black2 a dual-drive, which is a logical name for the drive because it's fundamentally two drives in one.

Interface SATA 6Gbps
Sequential Read 350MB/s
Sequential Write 140MB/s
Power Consumption 0.9W (idle/standby) / 1.9W (read/write)
Noise 20dBA (idle) / 21dBA (seek)

There are two conditions in which the Black2 makes sense:

1) You have a laptop with a single 2.5" hard drive bay and no mSATA slot

2) You need more capacity than 480/512GB and/or aren't willing to pay for a 500GB class SSD.

If your answer to both questions is a 'yes', the Black2 is likely the best option in the market right now. However, if you answered 'no' to either of the questions, there are far better and cheaper options available.

If your laptop can take two 2.5" drives or a 2.5" drive and an mSATA SSD, it's much cheaper to go that route.

The operating systems supported are Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP (32-bit). Mac OS is not supported at this time.

Umart is selling these for $259 for reference.

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

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• 

  cpho on 24/08/2014 - 13:40

  Cool concept, only if it wasn't so pricey.
  I might wait a bit and wait for the price to drop some more.

  Also, from WD's site

  "Software Download Required
  WD Black² Dual Drive ships as a full kit with a web key, quick install guide, USB to SATA transfer cable, and warranty information. Software download and internet connection are required for installation."

  and

  "Our revolutionary WD Black² dual drive is designed for use in most 9.5 mm 2.5-inch drive bays. "

  • 

    bchliu on 24/08/2014 - 16:20

    +1

    I believe special drivers are required to run in order for it to recognise two drives coming out of the same SATA port. Its not like you can pop it in there and you got an SSD and HDD.

• 

  quarrymaster on 24/08/2014 - 13:52

  Would be better if it worked like a Fusion Drive for my MacBook Pro.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 14:29

    AFAIK there's nothing stopping you from manually setting this up as a Fusion Drive.

    http://blog.macsales.com/17624-os-x-10-8-3-provides-fusion-d…

    • 

      quarrymaster on 24/08/2014 - 15:12

      Maybe this WD might work where the Momentus XT might not.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 15:28

        Mac OS is not supported at this time.

        My bad, I missed this when looking at the specs. This needs a driver to work on OS X. If WD releases one, Fusion Drive might be a possibility since the Black2 appears as two separate drives rather than one drive (with a SSD cache) as with the Momentus XT.

• 

  ruraro on 24/08/2014 - 14:05

  -1

  Just beware power consumption of these since it's in effect two drives in one connect presumably via some sort of SATA bridge. If want low power consumption with longest possible battery life for your notebook then get a proper SSD instead.

  • 

    lplau on 24/08/2014 - 14:19

    +4

    I'm sure it isn't much higher power consumption that you will even notice. lol.
    I believe the HDD switches itself off when it goes into idle for long enough like a green drive.

• 

  kazines on 24/08/2014 - 15:02

  +2

  anyone who's thinking of using it on your PC

  You can get 256GB SSD for ~$110 from Amazon or Samsung 840 EVO 250GB for $135 from MSY

  WD Green 2TB HDD for $91 from MSY

  • 

    quarrymaster on 24/08/2014 - 15:13

    +2

    Bit hard to cram two drives inside a laptop.

    • 

      uccoffee on 24/08/2014 - 15:44

      Some old large screen toshiba does have dual drives

      • 

        PVA on 24/08/2014 - 18:49

        Yes, my one ha s room but toshiba decided to not solder a connector on for a drive to connect , which is a bugger cos the main board has it ready.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 16:24

      +2

      it's possible you take out the dvd drive

• 

  bchliu on 24/08/2014 - 16:32

  Considering I just walked into DigitalStar at Auburn and got the Plextor 512GB for $249 (compared to about $220 for this from Amazon), I am not sure about this deal anymore. If you REALLY need 1TB, then its probably the best thing especially if you are going to do some Virtualisation or other heavy things on the 1TB part. The SSD on this is only equivalent to a 2nd or 3rd Gen SSD (eg. Samsung 830 or Sandforce) from all the comparison and reviews. But can see it is a niche product for larger laptops (9mm thickness) to use two drives. But not sure if you'd want to given the falling prices, the Drivers required for it to work and slower previous gen technologies.

• 

  morpheu on 24/08/2014 - 16:50

  +1

  9.5mm means it won't fit in many ultrabooks or tablet form factors, pity as having two in one really benefits those kind of devices the most re storage Vs speed, but it would only be a matter of time

  • 

    Click_It on 24/08/2014 - 17:45

    Pitty its not 7mm or I'd be buying it for my Fit-PC2. That'd put a new lease of life in it. Pure SSD's are too small (or too expensive for 500gb-1tb) but this combo drive would be perfect.

    But it won't fit so it goes from perfect to useless for my application.

• 

  SrMoure on 24/08/2014 - 18:12

  I read some reviews about the SSD portion having low performance.