Hi,
I recently got a Samsung Q30 from my brother who needs more power because he started using CAD software. I am absolutely in love with this notebook, but I want to upgrade it a bit. Here's what I have right now:
P-M 733 (1.1GHz)
512mb RAM (256 built-in, 256 in the only so-dimm slot. It uses ddr2700)
40GB HDD
External CDRW/DVD Drive
Here's what I want:
External DVD Drive. I am split between finding the DVD burner from a Q30Plus somewhere and thus paying more for a slower drive but it looks better or paying like 60 Euros for an ugly drive. I only use the DVD Burner at home, so portability would not be a problem.
RAM. The Q30 only has one so-dimm slot. What is this notebook's maximum capacity? Could I put in 1024MB or is 512MB+256MB the max it will support?
Hard Drive. The Q30 uses 1.8" PATA drives. Can I just put in any 1.8" PATA drive or do I need a special one? Also, Dell sells 80GB 1.8" Drives in their D420, but I can't find any online. Any help here?
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John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator
1. The Q30 listed at http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/mobilecomputing/qseries/np_q30c004suk.asp?page=Specifications shows the maximum RAM as 1280MB However, that page also says that the RAM is PC-3200 DDR2 RAM although the e-brochure on that page says
Memory 512MB 333MHz PC-2700 DDR RAM
Maximum Memory 1,280MB 333MHz PC-2700 DDR RAM
Memory Slot/Slots Free One memory slot, 256MB on system board, with 256MB in expansion slot. No slots free
2. There are some reasonably priced external USB 2.0 slim line optical drives such as the Liteon SLW-831SX http://uk.insight.com/apps/productp...iteon&lang=en-gb&C=112&S=1068&M=&PS=50&SB=phl . This would provide a good alternative to a standard drive in an external case. In my experience the Liteon drives are quite good.
3. For a full range of 1.8" HDDs see http://www.span.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23_504 . Note that these drives come with a range of thicknesses and some have ZIF connectors for use in some MP3 players. I would suggest that you check what model of HDD you have (Device Manager should tell you) and then you can check the physical specifications and work out what other HDDs are compatible.
Hope this helps,
John -
I just posted this in the upgrading forum when I saw your reply, I hope that's not a big deal.
Anyways, I have put in an extra gig of ddr2700, and it's much faster. I also decided to go with a 5.25" external DVD burner since I will only use it at home anyways.
Now, for the hard drive...
I opened my Q30 and it has a Toshiba MK4004GAH. From what I've gathered, this is a 1.8", 4200RPM, 2MB Cache, 8mm think, ATA (not ZIF) drive. The next step is the MK6004GAH, but that's stupidly expensive (200 Euros, while the ZIF version is only 100) because it's the exact drive that Apple uses in the 60GB iPod Video.
Are there any other 60GB 1.8" non-ZIF drives that are sure to work?
Thanks...
edit: The MK4004GAH is ATA-5, all of the newer Toshiba drives except the 6004 are ATA-6. Are they still compatible?
This Hitachi drive doesn't state at all whether it's ATA-5 or ATA-6... also the exact size isn't listed.
http://www.span.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_504_1802&products_id=4954
Also, this adapter:
http://www.span.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8932&c=102&t=side_right1
is apparently compatible with the ZIF drive that I found (MK6008GAH). However, does it add anything to the size of the drive? The HDD compartment in my Q30 can't take any additional volume in any direction. -
John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator
1. ATA6 is backwards compatible with ATA5, so no problem there.
2. -
John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator
1. ATA6 is backwards compatible with ATA5, so no problem there.
2. That ZIF - ATA adaptor is a small board which looks as if it will add about 20mm to the length of the drive, so it won't fit in your HDD compartment.
I think you are stuck with getting the MK6006GAH. If you can wait, then the price will come down, but if you want the space now, then pay the price and get the benefit.
John
Samsung Q30 Upgradability?
Discussion in 'Samsung' started by ProfMonnitoff, Nov 6, 2006.