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    Ultrabay drives for a W520...

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by longhornboy, Dec 4, 2011.

  1. longhornboy

    longhornboy Notebook Geek

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    I recently ordered a W520; and as part of the order, I included an Ultrabay adaptor and a 500GB 7200 RPM HD, which I plan to use in lieu of my DVD drive.

    The laptop and Ultrabay adaptor have both shipped, but the HD currently shows an estimated ship date of 2/21/2012(!).

    This is likely due to the flooding in Thailand; but there are a number of other sources from which I can buy an extra drive immediately.

    Which drives would be a suitable drop in replacement for the 500GB drive that Lenovo sells? Speed and reliability are both important to me; and I would also be open to a hybrid drive or moderately priced SSD.

    Thoughts?
     
    longhornboy, Dec 4, 2011
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Have thought about a used drive via eBay? You can probably get a 500GB 7200RPM drive via eBay for around $75. Reliability in my experience is hit or miss. Make sure you have a good backup and you'll be covered no matter what happens.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 4, 2011
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  3. longhornboy

    longhornboy Notebook Geek

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    Not really. For a few dollars more, I can pick up a new drive at Fry's or any of a number of local shops. I'm mostly interested in alternatives to the Lenovo drive that will work well.
     
    longhornboy, Dec 4, 2011
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Show me.

    There's nothing special about Lenovo drives. It's just a standard SATA drive. Any off the shelf drive will work.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 4, 2011
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  5. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    Any 2.5" 9.5mm SATA drive will fit into the W520. Most 7200RPM drives will fit the bill nicely for speed, I have the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid drives and personally I don't feel that it offers any significant difference from a standard 7200RPM drive so I wouldn't really bother shelling out for the extra price premium. Hitachi drives tends to be quite popular, i've used Western Digital Scorpio Black drives before and have no issues with them from experience.
     
    PatchySan, Dec 4, 2011
    #5
  6. ivant_

    ivant_ Notebook Enthusiast

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    Pretty sure the shipping date is not when it will actually ship. I bought mine from Lenovo Canada and it was showing the shipping date in February but then was it shipped in about 10 days.
     
    ivant_, Dec 4, 2011
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  7. longhornboy

    longhornboy Notebook Geek

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    longhornboy, Dec 4, 2011
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  8. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I don't think 50% of the cost of the drive is exactly a few bucks more. You can get this Seagate for $75, but there certainly is something to be said for a new part. The one at OWC only has a two year warranty, which seems odd.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 4, 2011
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  9. Isaac-1

    Isaac-1 Notebook Guru

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    The big question is do you need it NOW, the supply lines will likely start filling back up and prices should start coming back down on hard drives soon. If you do need to buy now, pick any 9.5mm 2.5 inch SATA notebook hard drive, if this is for secondary storage, media files, etc. there is no reason to buy a more costly higher power draw 7200 rpm drive, just get a 5400 rpm. There are any number of online merchants that will sell you a 500gig drive for around $100-$120, lots of people like newegg, personally I tend to buy from Directron, but that is mainly due to the fact they are nearby based out of Houston, TX and I get my stuff the next day with regular ground shipping. Brand really does not make much difference in basic entry level 9.5mm 2.5 inch SATA hard drives these days, Seagate may be a little better than Western Digital, with the rest of the brands being somewhere in between.

    Ike
     
    Isaac-1, Dec 5, 2011
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  10. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    WD all day erryday. :D
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Dec 5, 2011
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  11. AofI

    AofI Notebook Geek

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    Not sure what other people do on their laptops but the difference in speed between a 5400 and 7200RPM drive is day and night for me. The new Momentus XT 750 from seagate is getting good reviews, near ssd speed boot times too.
     
    AofI, Dec 5, 2011
    #11