" I saved on one end and splurged on the other and bought a (Late 2008) 2.0ghz Macbook, upgraded to 4GB (DDR3 1066MHz) of OWC brand RAM and the Intel X25-M 80GB SSD. (Original drive was 160GB TOSHIBA MK1653GSX 5400rpm.) Wow, is it fast.
XBench went from 126.18 (before upgrades) to 176.32. Yikes!
Here's the comparison from Xbench database:
http://db.xbench.com/merge.xhtml?doc1=317842&doc2=317830
I know it's not the best benchmark but it's what I had. Hope it's useful or interesting.
-Jason"

The SSD drive's random access performance dwarfs the standard drive. Speaking of SSD drives - I had a reader ask what brand/model was used for apple's BTO 128GB SSD option. Someone said theirs was a Samsung but didn't include the model info - but I assume it's the 128GB (SATA 3.0Gb/sec) MLC at this Samsung SSD home page which has a PDF datasheet download for it. (Asked he check Apple system profiler to see if it listed a model - see reply below.) Sometimes Apple uses more than one source for drives, but not sure that's true with the current 128GB SSD option (likely one source for the current/initial builds at least.) If you have a new model with the 128GB SSD option, let me know the details. Thanks.
Update - here's a reply with info on the Apple BTO option 128GB SSD Drive:

"System Profiler lists the SSD as "Apple SSD SM128" revision "VAM0BA1Q". The drive itself has a Samsung label, with model number listed as "2.5" 128GB MLC SSD".
-Brian B."

Brian also mentioned some problems he'd seen with with his MacBook Pro Battery draining during sleep (completely draining overnight). I'll post those comments in tomorrow's page.

SSD Drives: (Solid State Drives)
• SATA Intel X25-M 80GB SSD in (late 2008) MacBook (OS X 10.5.x)
  (Listed under "other" brand of drive. Includes link to xbench comparison before/after the SSD + 4GB RAM upgrade.)
  
  Hard Drives:
• SATA Seagate 1.5TB ST31500341AS in Mac Pro (OS X 10.5.x)
  (another report of I/O stoppages/stuttering, journaling related console errors.)
• SATA Western Digital 320GB Scorpio wd3200BJKT (7200rpm) in (late 2008) MacBook (OS X 10.5.x)
  (noted vibration felt from new drive)

You can read full reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive type/brand/interface/mac models. Includes reports on Optical Drives (Blu-Ray, DVD, CD/CDR, etc.), Hard Drives, SSD, Tape drives, Removable media (ORB, ZIP, MO drives), NAS (Network Attached Storage), in all interface types (IDE, SATA, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters). To widen search results you can leave drive brand, OS version (or other fields) blank.
If you've added/upgraded a drive in your Mac send me the details (drive info/speed rating/mac model/OS version used, etc.). Note: Please use the drive for at least a week before reporting on it and test for booting from Disc with Optical Drives (as well as burning discs). Thanks.

• Powerlogix G3 1GHz ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  (includes notes on using XLR8's $15 software utility to set CPU speeds in OS X 10.4.11, as CPU Director isn't compatible with later Tiger versions)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the G4 upgrade reviews and G3 upgrade reviews pages. Intel-CPU chip swaps (i.e socketed Mac Mini) and OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, send a review with your experience (performance/stability/installation, etc.), Mac Model/Upgrade brand info and overall rating (1= worst to 10=best). If you can, please run some tests with the original CPU vs the upgrade (for example time some tests with your favorite app, game, etc. - see full reviews here for example tests with common apps/games/benchmarks.)

• How Much Ink Is Left in That Dead Cartridge? (some left more than 40 percent of their ink unused. Don't get me started on this - my (bought as store demo for 1/4 list price) HP AIO Photosmart C7180's HP 02 Ink carts in some colors have only have 1/8 OZ of ink for $9.95 - and flags "expired" ink tanks as voiding the warranty... I guess you pay more for the electronics/date check features in the carts than the ink, but printer mfr's printer ink has always been insanely high (cost by volume) - earning the name "Liquid Gold"...)
• Netflix welcomes (intel-based) Mac users to 'Watch Instantly' (public beta of gen2 silverlight based player announced last Monday)
• iPhone users love their video games
• RapidWeaver 4.2 released (more localizations, improved perf., bug-fixes)
• Coladia releases Secret of the Lost Cavern for OS X
• A Better Finder Rename 8.0.3
• Is the MacBook Air overpriced? (No) (comparisons to PC models)
• Mac 101: Using Time Machine in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (Apple)
• Western Digital does its version of Apple TV
• Google patches Android security flaw
• Intel Core i7 chip reviews arrive--yes, it's fast
• Always-On Notebook Cases Are both X-Ray Friendly and Idiot Approved
• Time Warner Cable Also Raising TV, DVR Rates
• Gaming on a (relative) budget: Alienware's new M17 laptopHomemade Motorized Bike Pays Tribute to Motorcycles of Yesteryear