Robert came up with the idea of replacing the MacBook Pro’s drive with an SSD and using the old drive for Time Machine in a new USB enclosure. The advantage would be a boost in speed as well as a backup solution. With the prices of memory coming down, I picked up a 128 GB SSD at CompUSA for a good price.    
The new drive has the following specs:       

• Interface: SATA II
• Dimensions: 99.88 x 69.63x 9.3 mm
• Weight: 91g
• Sequential Read: up to 175MB/s
• Sequential Write: up to 100MB/s
• Shock Resistant: 1500G/0.5ms
• Vibration Resistant: 20G/20~2000Hz with 3 Axis
• Operating Voltage: DC 5V
• Power Consumption: 280mA~330mA
• Operating Temperature: -10ºC~70ºC
• Storage Temperature: -55ºC~125ºC
• MTBF: >1,500,000 Hours
• Data Retention: > 5 years at 25ºC
• Data Reliability: Built in 15-bit ECC
• O/S Support: 2000/XP/Vista, Linux and MAC OS  

First a thorough backup on the old firewire drive and Mobile Me’s sync. Out came the screwdrivers and we tore into the MacBook Pro.

After installation we did a new install of Leopard from disk. My contacts, bookmarks, and mail accounts were restored easily from Mobile Me. Music and photos came from the firewire disk. With only 128 GB, I have to keep the MacBook Pro lean and mean. If I haven’t used something within six months it’s not going to be installed. My movies are stored on the firewire disk and a other networked computers for now.
Here’s what System Profiler has to say about the drive:       

• PATRIOT MEMORY 128GB SSD:
• Capacity: 119.42 GB
• Model: PATRIOT MEMORY 128GB SSD
• Revision: 02.10104
• Native Command Queuing: No
• Removable Media: No
• Detachable Drive: No
• Mac OS 9 Drivers: No
• S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

Ok, how does it perform? (more…)