To clone HDD or swap it.. hmmm

So Dell has ordered me my replacement Studio 1555 for my current Dell 1535 as it has given me so many problems and still is, as I have explained in previous posts.

I am receiving it on the 14th of August and a courier is coming to take the old one away on the 17th.. I have those days to transfer all my data over, but I have a dilemma.

Should I purchase an external HDD enclosure and clone the old HDD onto the new one? Or should I swap the HDD's between the laptops? They're both 320GB, 5400RPM drives. Is there any advantage of having a newer one? Also, would Dell notice if I had done a swap? I know this should void my warranty if they noticed, but would they?

Advice please

 

If it is really old, more than 2-3 years, then I would recommend going with the external enclosure, so that you get to keep the newer one. If not, then it may still be worth it to get the new drive, depending on its health, because HDD's have a habit of conking out after 3-4 years. This likely won't void your warranty, and I'm pretty sure they will notice, but whether they'll care or not is different.

 

Would they notice even they were the same make?

The Studio 1535 is now 11 months old, so yeah the HDD is 11 months.. The enclosure is going to set me back €40 though from overclockers.co.uk.. Delivery here to Ireland.. Dono if it is worth it might aswell buy a new HDD..

 

I think they would notice unless it was the exact same make and model. Again, whether they'd care or not is different. even though it's been 11 months, IMHO, the external enclosure would be the best way to go, because frankly, the newer the better.

If you get a separate drive to pop into the HDD enclosure, then more power to you. it would be well worth it - you'd find some use somewhere for the storage/back up capability.