New razor blade 2014 SSD upgrade possible?

Hi guys,

Just saw the news on the new 2014 razor blade. 3200x1800 touch screen looks awesome! (I have the Yoga 2 Pro now). I am thinking about selling the Yoga 2 Pro and get the new razor blade when it's out.

My question is, will we be able to put a second SSD into the new razor blade? If not, are we able to upgrade the stock SSD with a normal 2.5 SSD?

Since the new razor blade is not out yet, I realize it might be impossible to say for certain now.

But any educated guess is welcomed!

Thanks!

 

The specs suggests that it uses the M.2 SATA format, so it should be replaceable, there shouldn't be any reason to solder it in place. But as to if there's a second slot, who knows.

 

If you check out Razer's release page for the 2014 Blade here, you can see a tiny diagram of the internals if you scroll down the page. Who knows if this is actually updated from the old model, but assuming it is, you can see atleast one mSATA drive with possibly another behind the left battery cable.

 

I am very interested in this.

I was thinking of getting the 128 version and replace the drive with a 512 m.2 drive. However, the only one I could find is the Toshiba one, and I am not sure if it is any good.

 

There's actually a 480GB Crucial M500 available in this format, but reviews are scarce and I was only able to find one at Amazon, Amazon.com : Crucial M500 480GB SATA 6Gbps M2 Internal SSD [Crucial PN: CT480M500SSD4] (480GB) : Computers & Accessories.

 

I think there's another msata slot on this new blade. because the base chasis still using major design from 1st gen 14" blade.

ciimw

 

If it's the same general mount points as the first gen 14", probably better to get it with the 512GB m.2 installed. It gets buried under cabling that you have to either be very careful of or have to remove to get at it. The second one (assuming it is in the same place as the 14") has nothing in the way of access.

I ordered mine with a 512GB drive. It would be nice if the second slot was an mSATA and not an m.2. Would be much cheaper/faster to add a 1TB mSATA than wait for a 1TB m.2 to arrive.

 

Hopefully it's two mSATA slots. This would be a very nice option to have for those who get the new 2014 Blade.

 

I'm not really familiar that much with M.2 standard

But it looks like there are different physical sizes of M.2 SSDs, so just any M.2 may not fit.

*edit: also, sometimes m.2 is used for WLAN and WWAN in laptops. So if there is a 2nd M.2 slot, it might already be taken for the wifi. But the fact that 512GB option is available from Razer makes me think it is using two "short" form factor M.2 SSDs. I've not been able to find any "short" M.2 SSDs larger than 128 or 256 GB.

 

I think people are getting a bit confused. The existing Razer Blade 14 has 2 x msata slots (one of which is occupied by either 128/256/512 msata SSD depending on the model). The other msata slot is free and takes about 10 minutes for you to add another msata SSD. The largest currently available msata SSD is the Samsung 1TB (roughly US$570) although you can use any msata SSD.

M2 sata/PCIE is a relatively new type of memory (popular on Lenovos). The problem is that they come in both sata and PCIE and in various lengths 42mm and 80mm being the most popular but I think there are 4. I dont think any m2 SSD will fit an msata slot as they are narrower..

 

Thanks for all the info!

Lenovo does like m2 SSD...which I hate. Mostly because m2 SSD are more expensive. I believe the m2 SSDs are just there to rip us off. Hopefully Razor won't go down this road.

If there is a 2nd slot free, I probably won't even touch the default SSD. Just order the 128GB version and add a 256 or 480GB to the 2nd slot.

The whole different price range based on storage space thing started by Apple is kind annoying... (although I did go for 64gb on my iphone.. shame on me...)

 

Razer's website says that storage is M.2 SATA, not mSATA.

Storage
128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD (SATA M.2)

 

mother ducker!!!

 

Just got out phone with Razer who knows if this tech support guy knew what he was talking about but there will only be one m.2 slot no room for a second because it wasn't supported or something when they manufactured this model. He also said they use different vendors for the m.2 SSD so my new Razer blade laptop might have a different brand/model then the next guy.

EDIT: Also they will be replaceable and not soldered etc...According to him

 

Wow, it's hard to believe they would remove a slot. You'd think they would at least have left the secondary msata slot there. Looks like I may be buying a larger m.2 right away now. I'll find out soon enough!

I don't suppose anyone asked, or knows what length M2 SSD card it will handle? I see there are shorter and longer ones available.

 

He couldn't tell me and unless you actually got a head honcho on the phone I doubt anyone there could tell you

 

Razer's not going to give any details on things that would lead to warranty disputes, at any level. We're stuck waiting until a teardown is posted.

 

There will most likely be a 2nd slot. Was looking through HIDevolution's customization options for the Razer Blade (2014) and noted that there is an additional customization option for an additional m2 SSD. Hope that it's true. *Fingers crossed*

HIDevolution New Razer Blade 14 QHD+ GTX 870M

But either way, the Razer Blade (2014) should be shipping out soon. Can't wait for the reviews to roll out...

 

HIDev lets you configure it with dual PCIe M.2s, so I don't know how accurate their page is. On the other hand, if that is in fact a possibility, I will be purchasing this puppy ASAP. The Samsung XP941 is a total beast. 2 of those in RAID 0 would be exactly what the doctor ordered (and, significantly faster than any mSata option out there).

 

I really hope that it's true you can put two in there. I'll go dual 512's for now and in a year or so I'll put dual 1Tb when they come out and get cheaper. Then I could have my favorite games and a bunch of my normal data/music/movies and still have space left over.

 

Where are you finding the xp941 for sale?

 

If you mean where am I finding the Razer for sale with the drive, here: HIDevolution New Razer Blade 14 QHD+ GTX 870M

If you mean the hard drive by itself, SSD review usually lists where they can be bought. You are right, though, that they are usually in short supply. I haven't tried buying one recently.

 

We always have them and can ship worldwide. If you are in Europe I can recommend a colleague via PM.

 

Has anyone managed to upgrade SSD on the RB 2014? Just curious as I have the 256GB model and looking to upgrade this at some point.

 

yes you just need the right SSD model, a m2 interface with SATA connection

 

@Karamazovmm is there certain size restrictions (sorry I'm not too familiar but are there shorter ones and longer ones?) Also is there a maximum capacity for RB 2014? 512GB?

 

Yes 80mm is the size that you want and so far only 512gb models have been released so far in the future there will be higher capacity models I'm quite sure

 

How much is the XP941 512GB?

This supports the 80mm M.2 form factor. 512GB is largest so far with Crucial M550 and Plextor M6e 512GB being readily available. There should have been a number of 1TB drives available by now. But the pricing is also quite high compared with mSATA. Like $600-800 for a 1TB compared with $350-$500 for an mSATA version.

 

Hey, im new, just ordered my RB 2014. Can someone recommend a m.2 sata that I can buy in order to install it on the blade? Ill upload pics as soon as ill install it.

Thanks!!!

 

You got a chance to open up your laptop and see underneath how many slots they have for the M2Sata?

 

Actually I just talk to a rep from razer customer support and he gave a big no. That a shame.. Im gonna cancel my 512 m.2 order

 

@bacquerel I opened mine and looked its just the 1 slot in there. No 2nd slot unfortunately.

 

@Burnas, I think user upgrade of the SSD is possible despite what the Razer rep said..
HIDevolution sells the 2014 Blades with Crucial M550s which works out cheaper than getting the Razer setups.

HIDevolution Razer Blade 14 QHD+ Multitouch GTX 870M


Although if you want to be safe, then Razer 512 setup would be ideal. But I bought the last unit in Santa Monica at the time and they only had the 256gb model left. I would eventually like to upgrade.
Although using a different brand I am not sure how this may affect performance and battery life...

But for now I install most of my games on my Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB USB3.0 Working out great for me so far, and is quite a cheap solution for now.

 

I was actually taking about ADDING another ssd.

 

@Burnas, ah I see sorry about that. Anyway that is a definite no then due to only the one slot in there...