Can I buy this (link) SSD and install it on a new M15x leaving the 500GB HDD that comes with it?

Newegg.com - Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - SSD

Basically I want to have the OS installed on the SSD (obviously), just wondering if this drive should work fine in the M15x and if I will be able to have both drives in? Also, does the laptop come with a disk so I can install W7 onto the new SSD with ease? Or how would I go about doing that?

 

This drive will work beutifully inside m15x.
Yes, aw sends windows CDs with it's laptops. M15x can only hold one hdd, so you wontbe able to use ssd+hdd setup.

 

That's great news and terrible news all at the same time. I love that it will work beautifully, but 80GB is nowhere near enough for a laptop (for me), and I cannot stand using an external along with it.. Too bad 160 is so damn expensive, sheesh.

So it's highly recommended to NOT get the drives Dell supplies (SSD), so like the 256GB is not worth it from them?

 

try the marketplace for a cheaper 160gb, babyhemi sells them around 390$...
It's not highly recommended to not have the samsungs, they are just slower than the intels and the oczs, still will be much faster than any HDD you throw at them.

 

Hey Welcome.

This is incorrect. You may as a matter of fact sacrifice your optical drive for another hdd. Look here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...drive-hdd-caddy-installation-56k-warning.html

For other usefull information I would like to direct you here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/488201-new-m15x-owner-information.html

 

I would recommend getting an external hard drive case for the old hard drive. Obviously you would have to carry it around, but e-sata is pretty fast, so it shouldn't feel much like an external.