Suggestion Please: N6210 HDD

Okay, here is my dilemna.

As you can see in my sig, I ordered my N6210 with a 7K60 and planned on upgrading to two 7K100 (100GB) drives when they became available. After calling several retailers this is what I've found out about the 7K100:

The 100GB 7K100 are going to be sold exclusively to Dell, HP, and IBM and will not be sold directly to the end-users. This is to encourage consumers to invest on new laptops until Christmas.

So, a realistic date as to when these HDDs will hit the market is NEXT YEAR. At the rate my 7K60 is filling up, I cannot wait that long. I have two HDD slots so I have a few options.

1) Get one 5K100 and install it in the second slot. Wait for the 7K100 until next year to replace my primary drive (7K60).
2) Get one 7K100 80GB, make it a primary drive, and get a 5K100 for the second slot.
3) Get two 5K100s and install it in both slots.

After I get my second drive, I plan to keep only programs and small files (music and pics) on my primary. All videos and big files will go to my secondary drive (acting as a storage)

I'm thinking keeping a 7200RPM as a primary would be a better idea as it has better seek/bootup times. (Whereas the secondary speed really wouldn't matter much) Also, the primary HDD is located under the left palm rest so heat is also an issue. I've read reports that the 7K100s have lower running temps.

Does everything I've wrote sound right? Like the thought of "speed of the secondary drive wouldn't matter?"

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you have a big storage need, I'd keep the 7k60 as your primary and get something large for the second one, forgetting about speed. If you're not running your apps off of it, speed is going to be less important.

 

Ya you're right about speed of secondary aint that important if you store music, movies and the like on it.

But here is an idea, why not get some external 3.5" drive (200GB or more).
That's what I'll be doin once I get back to university since my 2 60GB drives are almost full (7k60 built in, and the 4200RPM that originally shipped in mine in an external enclosure). Especially after I went back to my parent's for the summer and made images of all my old games that I feel like playin just to remember old days

Thing is 3.5" drives are much much cheaper, and way larger!

 

because the n6210 has 2 hardrive slots my friend, why not use them

 

Price and capacity. 3.5" drives are upto 320GB, and 400GB soon. And prices are close to 50% less. So if the drive won't be moved much why not go for it!

If cluttering your desktop is the issue, then go ahead and abuse the 2 slots

 

Brian and qwester,

Thanks for your input. I've decided to get one 5K100 for the second slot. It seems to be a logical choice for now.

BTW I will be posting up pics of the install along with an installation of a new keyboard.

 

did you get the drive enclosure from portable one?

much appreciated

 

Is a drive enclosure necessary for an internal drive? Am I missing out on something?

 

Actually, sorry yeah I did get the enclosure/casing already. I got it straight from Fujitsu.

 

Portable 1 said they'd sell me the drive enclosure, bout $35 as I recall.

 

Have you performed the install already? I have the casing but I'm missing the screws. Neither Fujitsu or P1 sells them. My HDD coming tommorrow and I'm wondering where I should get em.

 

Actually haven't bought new laptop yet. Still studying the field and waiting to hear more from you guys that have the 6210. Love the fujitsu screen but concerned about the relatively weak GPU.

Seems odd that Fujitsu wouldn't include screws in the case pkg. I assume they would be the same as the existing hard drive case(?). If so, grab one of those and march down to an industrial supply, computer repair, or watch repair to see if they can match it.

 

Yeah, it's quite odd that the screws aren't included. I guess I'd have to go to a local hardware store like you've suggested.

BTW what other laptops are you considering?

 

I started out looking at the Dell 9300/XPS, Gateway M680, and the N6210. My eyes don't like the UXGA screens and the Dell WSXGA+ screens are not nearly as nice as the Fujitsu/Gateway screens. I wish the 6210 had a better GPU, altho I can probably live with the x600. Part of me is hoping Fuj will upgrade the GPU to better match their wonderful LCD. Meanwhile I slog along with my 4yr old Dell 8600...a wonderful but outdated lappy.

 

Hmm... that's a hard choice... they all have their strong points.

Dell's got the value/price and high-end graphics card.
Gateway's got an attractive package with a good graphics card.
Fujitsu's got the dual harddrives and reliability.

Well obviously I'm biased, but if you're not worried about the reliability as much as I was, the other two seem to be excellent choices. What about the Asus W2V or the upcoming Sony BX? Is it over your budget?

And I wouldn't count on Fujitsu upgrading the graphics card until next spring. The Fall/Winter model that was released in Japan only added Hypermemory to the X600.

 

Was not aware of the new Sony BX series...looks interesting, altho I suspect if Sony follows form they will be super expensive. Their LCDs are generally considered the best around.

Looks like Gateway has a new business laptop series. The S-7700 is roughly equivalent to the 680.

So many choices...so little time

 

Found the screws at a nearby Ace Hardware. I will start a new thread with pics and install details sometime tonight.

 

I'd actually like to see how the new N6000 series look on the inside

Mine is all heat sinks, so with those gone there should be quite some space inside!

 

ok i have a n6210 hd question too, unfortunately i got the 80gb 4200rpm because i was on a budget at the time. it isn't too bad for now but it would defiinitely be worth the upgrade i think.

i wanted to just get one more hd right now but i'm not sure whether to do the 7k100 80gb or the 5k100 100gb?

i think having the two 80gb would be enough and i would have the quick one for apps and etc. and the 4200 for big videos and all that like tttttada said.

or i could get the 5k100 and use that too run my apps and keep the 80gb 4200 for storage.

i think i'm leaning towards the 7k100 80gb and then maybe in the future getting a 5k100 100gb for storage and replacing the 80gb 4200.

help please, and ttttada i'm not stealing your thread, it is just a question you brought to my attention so thank you.

 

To save some money and time (7K100s are backordered) I would opt for the 5K100 and make that your primary for the time being. Then, I would wait for the 100GB 7K100s until next year.

FYI if you were to do this, this is the cheapest way to go about it:
1) 5K100 - $153 2nd day free shipping ZipZoomfly
2) Casing for the 2nd HDD slot - $10 at PortableOne
3) Screws at local Hardware Store - $5

Total: $168 plus shipping for the Casing.

 

yeah that seems like a good idea, and then if i really feel the need to i could get a 7k100 when it is available and cheaper, because 180Gb should easily be enough. newegg.com had the 5k100 for 155 i think but zipzoomfly seems good i guess. how much is the 7k100 80 though? i'm having trouble finding it

and did you just call portable one or did you just call fujitsu for the casing, portableone would make it pretty easy i think.

and my Dad owns an Ace hardware so those screws will forever be free to me

 

Well, even the 7K100 80GB are backordered at all retail stores right now. You'd be hard pressed to find one.

When you call P1 and ask for parts, they will connect you to their tech center, T3 computers. Ask for Eric Ferrari if available. Although P1 quoted me $35, Eric shipped it out for $10 + shipping.

 

ok man you completely answered my questions, thanks alot 5k100 100GB it is then. and i will call up p1, thanks again

FUJITSU POWER! AHAHAHA

 

i just saw that newegg.com has the 7k60 60GB 7200rpm Travelstar for $173 the 5k100 is $143 now. i might opt for the 60gb 7200 with a price like that, or should i just wait for the 7k100 80's?

 

I think you'd better wait. The prices are just to rediculous. I got mine back in march for $150 something. Plus the new ones are promissing a bit of a bump in speed. As it stands now 5400RPM SATA drives can achieve speeds comparable to the 7K60, so I guess the 7K100 do have room for improvement, after all the 7K60 is over 2 years old!!! (**** I just realized it's OLD )