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Dogfish 64GB 2.5" SATA III SSD Review: A Budget-Friendly Upgrade for Older Systems
If you're looking to breathe new life into an older desktop or laptop, the Dogfish 64GB 2.5" SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) might just be the upgrade you need. This SSD promises faster boot times, improved system responsiveness, and reliable performance at an affordable price. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Product Overview
The Dogfish 64GB SSD is designed for users who want to upgrade their systems without breaking the bank. With sequential read speeds of up to 550MB/s and write speeds of up to 500MB/s, it’s significantly faster than traditional hard drives. It’s also energy-efficient, durable, and compatible with a wide range of devices, making it a versatile choice for both casual users and tech enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- High-Speed Performance
Up to 550MB/s read and 500MB/s write speeds. - Enhanced Reliability
Features like TRIM command, S.M.A.R.T monitoring, and ECC ensure data safety. - Energy Efficiency
Consumes 35x less power than traditional HDDs. - Broad Compatibility
Works seamlessly with desktops, laptops, and older systems. - Three-Year Warranty
Backed by a limited warranty and lifetime technical support.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
Pros:
- Faster Boot Times
Many users reported a noticeable improvement in system startup times after migrating their OS to this SSD. One customer mentioned, "My system starts up quickly now. It replaced a 128GB SATA that was too small for my needs." - Great for Older Systems
The SSD works exceptionally well in older machines. A user shared, "Dropped it in an older NUC, installed Batocera, and it had no issues whatsoever. The read and write speeds are great for the size and price." - Smooth Multitasking
Customers appreciated the SSD’s ability to handle multiple applications without slowing down.
Cons:
- Odd Behaviors
Some users experienced minor quirks, such as occasional performance inconsistencies. One reviewer noted, "There are some odd behaviors I've come across, but for the most part, it works pretty well."
Compatibility and Installation
Pros:
- Easy Installation
Customers found the installation process straightforward. One user said, "It was an easy install and worked right out of the package (after a format)." - Versatile Use Cases
The SSD is compatible with a variety of systems, including older Macintosh and IBM Thinkpad models. A reviewer shared, "This is sort of becoming my go-to SSD for older machines. I’ve had good luck with it in a Powerbook G3 PDQ and an IBM Thinkpad T42." - Adapter-Friendly
The SSD works well with adapters, making it suitable for systems with different interfaces. One customer mentioned, "I use this along with an adapter in an old Macintosh system, replacing the existing pATA hard disk drive."
Cons:
- Limited Capacity
While the 64GB version is sufficient for basic tasks, users with larger storage needs may find it limiting. However, the SSD is available in higher capacities up to 2TB.
Durability and Value
Pros:
- Affordable Price
Customers praised the SSD for offering excellent value for money. One reviewer said, "This drive is a decent value if you are looking for mSATA, which tends to be more expensive these days compared to M.2 NVMe drives." - Reliable Performance
The SSD’s durability and consistent performance were highlighted by multiple users. A customer shared, "Perfect. No problems with it." - Ideal for Specific Use Cases
The SSD is particularly well-suited for specific applications, such as a TrueNAS boot drive. One user noted, "This 64GB mSATA drive worked perfectly for a TrueNAS boot drive."
Cons:
- Not for Heavy Workloads
While it performs well for everyday tasks and older systems, it may not be the best choice for heavy gaming or professional workloads requiring higher capacities and speeds.
Final Verdict
The Dogfish 64GB 2.5" SATA III SSD is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade an older system or improve the performance of a budget-friendly setup. Its fast speeds, broad compatibility, and energy efficiency make it a reliable option for casual users and tech enthusiasts alike. While it may have some minor quirks and limited capacity, its affordability and ease of installation more than make up for these drawbacks.
Who Should Buy This SSD?
- Owners of Older Systems
If you’re looking to revive an aging desktop or laptop, this SSD is a cost-effective solution. - Budget-Conscious Users
It’s an excellent choice for those who want to upgrade without spending a fortune. - Specific Use Cases
Ideal for applications like TrueNAS boot drives or retro computing projects.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Power Users
If you need higher capacities or faster speeds for gaming or professional work, consider a higher-end SSD. - Heavy Multitaskers
Those running resource-intensive applications may find the 64GB capacity limiting.
In conclusion, the Dogfish 64GB 2.5" SATA III SSD delivers on its promise of improved performance and reliability at an affordable price. While it may not be the most powerful SSD on the market, it’s a fantastic option for budget-conscious users and those looking to upgrade older systems. If you’re in the market for a reliable, no-frills SSD, this one is definitely worth considering.
Specification SSD SATA 2.5" 64GB Dogfish Internal Solid State Drive High Performance Hard Drive for Desktop Laptop SATA III 6Gb/s Includes SSD 32GB 60GB 64GB 120GB 128GB 240GB 250GB 500GB 960GB (64GB 2.5"-SATA3):
Comments from Amazon:
Works amazing. Dropped it in an older nuc. Installed batocera. And it had no issues whatsoever. The read and write speeds are great for the size and price. Will be buying more soon.
This drive is a decent value if you are looking for mSATA - which tend to be more expensive these days compared to the more common and ubiquitous M.2 Nvme drives. I use this along with an adapter in an old Macintosh system, replacing the existing pATA hard disk drive. There are some odd behaviors I've come across, but for the most part it works pretty well.
As described
This is sort of becoming my goto SSD for older machines. I have had good luck with it in a Powerbook G3 PDQ and a IBM Thinkpad T42. Paired with two cheap mSATA to IDE enclosures with no issue. Good value for this kind of application.
Perfect. No problems with it
This 64 GB MSATA drive worked perfectly for a True NAS boot drive.
I migrated the OS to this. My system starts up quickly now. It replaced a 128 SATA that was too small for my needs. It was an easy install and worked right out of the package. (after a format)