I want an SSD SATAIII because to me it represents the best combination of quietest & fastest. But there doesn't seem to be much choice relative to 2.5" variants or non-SSD 3.5".
I feel like there's something I'm not aware of. Why are desktop SSD drives not commonplace?
24 Answers
It is cheaper to produce just one version, instead of two. 2.5" variants can be used in laptops and desktop computers which makes them more flexible. The 3.5" versions could only be used in desktop computers.
The technology easily fits into a 2.5" case. There is no need to “artifically” produce a bigger case than necessary.
7There are 3.5" SSDs available, but they are not common:
The 2.5" form factor presents a lot of benefits when compared to 3.5" ones: they are smaller, lighter and cheaper (require less materials to manufacture such as aluminum and plastic). Even though, 2.5" generally offers the same features such as speed and data capacity like the 3.5" ones.
Also, thinking of HDDs (this does not apply to SSDs), it also has increased energy efficiency (less power consumption):
So regarding costs and benefits, there are no reasons to keep SSDs (even HDDs) in a default 3.5" form factor, but if you really want to install a 2.5" SSD or HDD into your desktop, you could just use an 3.5" adapter such as this:
As @Marco already mentioned, it a simple design choice. If it fits in a 2.5" case, why make it bigger?
Even for desktops, smaller is better: Using an adapter, you can easily fit two 2.5" SDDs in a 3.5" slot.
That being said, there are some 3.5" SSDs. For example, 3.5" SATA III OCZ and 3.5" SATA II OCZ.
3@Dennis
But having to have no alternatives meaning two half sized devices with more casing surfaces instead of a single one with fewer casing surfaces, makes its capacity smaller and the price of the two a LOT higher instead of having one 3.5" drive, although you might see the few rare 3.5" ssd's prices on the same level or even higher is due to the fact that there aren't many of them and there are way way more 2.5" ones. We (ordinary people - gamers) always wanted 3.5" SSDs when they were about to be released and as we normally expected them cause of these reasons, and were confused why the hell companies decided to aim towards portability as a vast majority of gamers play on desktops and non-mobile devices such as consoles. We like to get the bang for the buck both in terms of speed and capacity, and reliability and endurance. companies only made these 2.5" crappers just to leech more money in the short term. that's why I stick to the 3.5" hdd's
