Packaging
Crucial has updated their color theme from a light brown to blue. This gives the package a fresh new look while also going nicely with the company's logo colors.
You will receive:
- The SSD
- Quick Install Guide
The Drive
The drive conforms to the dimensions set forth by the 2.5" form factor. Unlike many other SSDs, the m4 comes in a rugged metal casing that feels extremely solid and high quality.
Crucial's m4 SSD uses a SATA 6 Gbps interface to provided maximum throughput on newer generation motherboards with speeds up to 600 MB/s. It is compatible with any other SATA standard.
Crucial is using 16 flash chips, the Marvell flash controller and a DRAM chip which provides memory for the SSD controller.
As controller an updated revision of the Mavell 9174 flash controller is used, called BKK2.
The DRAM chip is made by Micron which is not surprising as that's Crucial's parent company.
The flash chips are made by Micron too and have a capacity of 8 GB each, they are produced on Micron's new 25 nm process node.