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    Upgrading HDD into SSD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tsun, Mar 5, 2010.

  1. Tsun

    Tsun Notebook Consultant

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    I'm planning to buy laptop in the nearby days, but i have trouble affording an SSD(i came into conclusion to want one really much).
    I would have to downgrade the full-hd screen, bluray drive and windows7 ultimate into linux to afford the SSD.

    I have never touched into laptop hardware so i have zero experience. (other than picking out some dust clouds from the fan)
    I will most likely take it to some electronics store so they can switch it though.

    The laptop is Clevo W860CU

    1. So would it be possible to buy an SSD later and switch the HDD with it?
    2. If yes, is there any risks or negative things about the switch? (not counting the general differences between SSD and HDD)
    3. How do i know which SSD:s are compatible with the laptop?
    Since i'm not buying it now, i'll probably wait for several months before upgrading so i can get a better price and probably newer drive.
     
    Tsun, Mar 5, 2010
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  2. Les

    Les Not associated with NotebookReview in any way

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    1.Yes
    2.No
    3.They all are compatible as long as they are the same form factor as the HD...
     
    Les, Mar 5, 2010
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  3. Tsun

    Tsun Notebook Consultant

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    I'm embarassed to ask but how do i know the HDD's form factor?
    I have a strong feeling it's 2.5" but how do i make sure?
     
    Tsun, Mar 5, 2010
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  4. Les

    Les Not associated with NotebookReview in any way

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    It just has to match your hard drive. If the hard drive is a 2.5 then so will be the ssd. If the hard drive is SATA, likewise with the ssd. Its exactly the same as replacing a hard drive for a hard drive.
     
    Les, Mar 5, 2010
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  5. Tsun

    Tsun Notebook Consultant

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    I mean how do i find out the form factor of the HDD in my laptop?

    I need to know before buying right? I dont want to open my laptop in a store and compare the sizes.
     
    Tsun, Mar 5, 2010
    #5
  6. KimoT

    KimoT Are we not men?

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    According to XoticPC's specs page:
    That's the current standard for laptop drives. Just about every laptop SSD you find will be 2.5" SATA. Only a few drives are thicker than 9.5 mm.
     
    KimoT, Mar 5, 2010
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  7. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    General rule on laptops is max out the non-user upgradeable hardware as much as possible and change out the stuff you can modify later on.

    Go with the high resolution screen, blu-ray drive, and Windows 7 Ultimate; you can always get a better, faster, cheaper SSD later on. (And that's coming from someone who's a huge SSD enthusiast)
     
    Jlbrightbill, Mar 5, 2010
    #7