Crucial M550 256GB mSATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive

Overview

The Crucial CT256M550SSD3 is a 256GB solid state drive designed to deliver fast and reliable storage through an mSATA interface. It connects via SATA 6Gb/s, offering sequential read speeds up to 550 MB/s and write speeds up to 500 MB/s, which translates into quicker boot times, faster application launches, and smooth multitasking. Its compact mSATA form factor makes it an excellent choice for laptops, ultrabooks, mini-PCs, and other devices where space is limited.

Key features

• High-speed SATA 6Gb/s interface ensures rapid data transfer for everyday computing tasks.
• Compact mSATA form factor fits easily into slim and space-constrained devices.
• 256-bit AES hardware encryption with TCG Opal 2.0 and IEEE-1667 compliance protects sensitive data without extra software.
• Supports Microsoft eDrive for seamless integration with Windows encryption standards.
• Low power consumption helps extend battery life, ideal for mobile users and professionals on the go.
• Durable design with a 1.5 million-hour mean time to failure rating supports consistent uptime in demanding environments.
• Endurance rated for up to 72 terabytes written, making it suitable for daily productivity and industrial applications.

Key specs

• Storage capacity: 256 GB
• Sequential read speed: up to 550 MB/s
• Sequential write speed: up to 500 MB/s
• Random read IOPS: up to 90,000
• Random write IOPS: up to 80,000
• Interface: SATA 6Gb/s (SATA III) via mSATA
• Encryption: 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Compliance: TCG Opal 2.0, IEEE-1667, Microsoft eDrive
• Mean time to failure (MTTF): 1.5 million hours
• Endurance: up to 72 TB total bytes written

Connectivity and compatibility

This drive uses the mSATA interface, which is compatible with many ultrabooks, laptops, and embedded systems that support SATA 6Gb/s connections. Its small size allows it to fit into devices where traditional 2.5-inch drives cannot, making it a flexible upgrade option for compact computing platforms.

Performance and reliability

With high sequential and random read/write speeds, this SSD improves system responsiveness and reduces load times for applications and files. The robust endurance rating and long mean time to failure ensure it can handle continuous workloads, making it a dependable choice for both personal and professional use.

Ideal uses and environments

The Crucial CT256M550SSD3 is well suited for users looking to upgrade aging laptops or build compact systems such as silent media centers or industrial PCs. Its balance of speed, security, and durability fits well in mobile setups, office environments, and embedded applications where space and power efficiency are critical.