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    can my acer hard drive be upgraded to a hybrid SSD/HD system?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by laurence peddle, Sep 5, 2013.

  1. laurence peddle

    laurence peddle Newbie

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    Hi. I have just bought an Acer Aspire Timeline M3-581T Core i3 4GB RAM 320 GB HDD Ultrabook.
    The MPN is nx.ry8ek.010.
    This is a low specification M3 and I'd like to upgrade it.The 4 GB memory can be replaced with a 6 GB one.
    My question is whether the 320 GB hard drive can be supplemented with an SSD.
    I ask because the Acer Aspire Timeline M5, the successor to the M3, has a hybrid system, one which includes a 20 GB SSD, which is used as a cache, whatever that means.
    I say that because I don't want to give the false impression of having any technical knowledge.
    I'm told that a hybrid system can be created only if the M3, or my particular version of it, supports Intel Smart Response Technology.
    I have no idea whether or not it does.Can anyone advise me?
    Thanks very much,
    Laurence Peddle
     
    laurence peddle, Sep 5, 2013
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  2. Bullrun

    Bullrun Notebook Deity

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    Could you boot into BIOS and see if it has an empty mSATA slot? On boot, spam the F2 key or possibly another to get into the BIOS. It may be under Information, listing CPU, your 320GB HDD and the ODD (DVD). It may say SATA, IDE or mSATA. There are apparently many versions of the M3.

    You can replace the HDD with a SSD or a Hybrid HDD (SSHD). But if you have an mSATA slot you can have both, an mSATA SSD and your HDD.
     
    Bullrun, Sep 5, 2013
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  3. laurence peddle

    laurence peddle Newbie

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    Hi Bullrun. Thanks very much for the advice. The laptop is being delivered in a few days, so I'll follow your instructions once it's all set up. Thanks again,
    Laurence Peddle
     
    laurence peddle, Sep 6, 2013
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  4. Bullrun

    Bullrun Notebook Deity

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    No problem, L.P.. Welcome.to NBR
     
    Bullrun, Sep 6, 2013
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