Crucial
Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5” 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive - CT240M500SSD1
Bottom line: The Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5” 7mm Internal Solid State Drive ($159.75 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 500 MB/s sequential read, 250 MB/s write over SATA; main trade-off: 250 MB/s write is slow next to newer SATA SSDs.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 500 MB/s sequential read, 250 MB/s write over SATA
- ✓ 72,000 IOPS on 4KB random reads for snappy boots
- ✓ 9.5mm spacer adapter included for older drive bays
- ✓ 7mm height fits thin laptops and ultrabooks
Cons
- ✗ 250 MB/s write is slow next to newer SATA SSDs
- ✗ Explicitly an older-generation model, not current tech
- ✗ SATA III caps speed far below any NVMe drive
- ✗ 240GB fills fast with modern games and media
Manufacturer description
Dramatically faster than a hard drive, the Crucial M500 SSD isn't just a storage upgrade - it's a complete system transformation. Designed to keep your system up to speed with today's multitasking demands that often require instant and simultaneous connections with friends, apps, websites, downloads, and playlists, the Crucial M500 delivers nearly instantaneous boot times, powerful data transfer speeds, increased multitasking capability, and rock-solid reliability - all at an affordable price. Available in capacities up to terabyte-class, the Crucial M500 has passed hundreds of SSD quality…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5” 7mm Internal Solid State Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Crucial's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this fit in my laptop?
The drive is a 7mm 2.5-inch SATA unit, so it fits standard 7mm laptop bays. A 9.5mm adapter spacer is included for older laptops and desktop bays that expect the taller 9.5mm height.
How fast is the Crucial M500 240GB?
Rated at 500 MB/s sequential read, 250 MB/s sequential write, and 72,000 IOPS on 4KB random reads. Read speed is near the SATA III ceiling; write speed is the weaker half of that pairing.
Does it support hardware encryption?
Yes. Crucial lists top-level hardware encryption technology on the M500, which handles data protection on the drive controller rather than taxing your CPU.
Is 240GB enough storage?
It comfortably holds Windows, drivers, and a working set of applications as a boot drive. For large game libraries or media, pair it with a secondary drive - the M500 line also came in capacities up to terabyte-class.
Why buy an older SSD model in 2026?
Because it is a SATA drive with a 9.5mm adapter, it works in machines no NVMe drive can serve: retro builds, older laptops, and legacy desktops. Its track record is well established.
Key Features
- Transformative performance: dramatically faster than a hard drive
- Nearly instantaneous boot times
- Sequential Read: 500 MB/s | Sequential Write: 250 MB/s | 4KB Random Read: 72,000 IOPS
- Ample storage: available in capacities up to terabyte-class
- Includes top-level hardware encryption technology
Full Specifications
| Brand | Crucial |
|---|---|
| Color | Silver |
| Model Name | M500 |
| Read Speed | 500 megabytes_per_second |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 250 megabits_per_second |
| Model Number | CT240M500SSD1 |
| Ample storage | available in capacities up to terabyte-class |
| Built-In Media | 9.5mm adapter |
| Hard-Drive Size | 240 GB |
| Mfr Part Number | CT240M500SSD1 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Sequential Read | 500 MB/s | Sequential Write: 250 MB/s | 4KB Random Read: 72,000 IOPS |
| Special Feature | Internal^Operating temperature range:0 - 70 °C^RoHS compliance^S.M.A.R.T support^Security algorithms:No |
| Item Part Number | CT240M500SSD1, ct240m500ssd1 |
| Hardware Platform | PC, Mac |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop |
| Additional Features | Internal^Operating temperature range:0 - 70 °C^RoHS compliance^S.M.A.R.T support^Security algorithms:No |
| Hard Disk Interface | Solid State |
Ready to buy?
(OLD MODEL) Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5” 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive - CT240M500SSD1 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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