mSSD slot

I apologize in advance if this has been brought up but my search keeps returning "could not find phrase 'invalid_search_query'" (If anyone can help with this that would be greatly appreciated).

After doing a bit of reading I am curious to know if you can switch out the 32gb mSSD with a larger size and use it as a second drive? Perhaps for a windows install. I am debating getting an optical caddy but if I can use the space once occupied by the mSSD cache that would be great.

 

Yes, you can. Instructions to physically swapping the mSSD are on page 70 of this service manual
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03216834.pdf

You can use these drives:
Newegg.com - Accessories, Laptop Accessories, Internal SSD, msata ssd

And I just wrote a guide of OS install, just look at my threads.

The best solution would have been OS on mSSD + 1TB hard drive for storage and you get to keep your optical drive. I also believe optical drive SATA port is only 3.0 Gb/s max, it doesn't make sense to put an SSD there.

 

Thabks for the info. I was planning on putting my HDD in the optical slot. However, I was reading that if I just have the OS on my ssd, sata ii v sata iii wouldn't be a noticeable difference. Also is mSSD slower than an ssd or is it the same thing?

 

They are basically the same thing, different packaging. They are both just controller + NAND chips. It is up to the manufacturer to make them fast. Unfortunately, there are many more competitions in the SSD market, naturally there are more and better selections of SSD. Currently I think both mSSD and SSD offer SATA III models with 500+ MB/s write speed though.