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    mSATA or SSD for ThinkPad T530?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by mrgorefest, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys, I'm buying the laptop in the subject but I want to do some tweaks with it.
    I'd like to add a Crucial M4 256GB SSD and keep the HD putting it into the DVD slot (as far I understood it's called ultrabay).
    Today I realized that for doing that I have to buy something called HD caddy which is pretty expensive (here in Italy) so I was thinking about taking an mSATA SSD (price is almost the same as the normal SSD) so I don't have to buy the caddy and save some money. What do you guys think?
    Another question: to put the mSATA have I to remove the WAN?

    Thank you
     
    mrgorefest, Jul 23, 2012
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  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Yes, it's the mSATA SSD or WWAN, but not both. If you have WWAN you'll need to remove it to use the mSATA SSD. You might want to try eBay for a third party caddy. They tend to be a bit more unstable, but are less expensive. I have the mSATA SSD + HDD on my X220i. It's quite slick.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 23, 2012
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  3. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    oh damnit so I have to buy a caddy. Unfortunately here they sell only the original one (searched on ebay.it also)
     
    mrgorefest, Jul 23, 2012
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Not if you get the mSATA SSD, but that means no WWAN.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 24, 2012
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  5. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    yes yes but of course I need the WWAN :)
    Thank you very much for your help
     
    mrgorefest, Jul 24, 2012
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  6. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    Why don't you get a ExpressCard WWAN?
     
    hmmwv, Jul 24, 2012
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  7. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    Because I don't want to buy another component.
    My idea to use the mSATA was to avoid buying the caddy!

    Another question: my choice for the SSD went to the Crucial M4 256 GB and I was about to buy this: CT256M4SSD2 - 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive , from Crucial.com but checking on Crucial website, they say that the compatible device for my computer is instead this one: 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for Lenovo ThinkPad T530 Laptop/Notebook, CT3291586 from Crucial.com which looks totally the same to me. Am I wrong?
     
    mrgorefest, Jul 24, 2012
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  8. yrc

    yrc Notebook Consultant

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    Double check the stock drive in your T530. In some cases, Lenovo has been shipping 7mm stock drives. If that is the case, then you want to order a a 7mm SSD so that the rubber rails that came with stock drive will fit. Other than the dimensions of the m4 casing and the price, there is no difference btw the two drives you linked to.
     
    yrc, Jul 24, 2012
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  9. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    We know the T430 uses 7mm drives, make sure you use the correct one, if prices are the same go with the thinner one.
     
    hmmwv, Jul 24, 2012
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  10. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, as soon as my notebook arrives I'll check, thanks.
     
    mrgorefest, Jul 24, 2012
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  11. mrgorefest

    mrgorefest Notebook Enthusiast

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    mrgorefest, Jul 25, 2012
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  12. yrc

    yrc Notebook Consultant

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    It should work on the T530. It might be worth contacting seller to double check that it is the 12.7 mm version and that the cable that is pictured is included (will come in handy for using it with the optical drive).
     
    yrc, Jul 25, 2012
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  13. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    I don't see why not, apparently the Tx20 and Tx30 series share the same ultrabay design so it should fit.
     
    hmmwv, Jul 25, 2012
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