Toshiba R500 - HDD user upgradable?

Hi:

Just wonder if it is easy to replace the HDD in the R500? I want to buy one now, and then upgrade to the SDD when it becomes available.

THx.

Paul

 

I don't think anyone bought one yet....and I don't think they are available yet...I saw couple of reviews but all of them are not production version.

 

Hello!

I am seeking answer for same question, did you find the answer? Maybe if you are in USA then you can call Toshiba and ask them?

Please inform me when u know..

Thanks

 

Yes, but you have to partially dissamble the laptop to get to the drive. I replaced my 120 GB with a 160 GB. Waiting for 128 GB SSD's to come way down before I go that route.

 

It would be useful if you could explain a bit more about what you need to take apart.

Thanks,

John

 

Can this be done without voiding the warranty?
Does the same apply for the dvd and if yes does toshiba provide a cap for the hole?
Thanks

 

It is advisable to keep whatever you take out in order to be able to restore the computer to the as-supplied condition should there be a warranty claim.

John

 

From all the videos/pictures that i have seen i haven't noticed a warranty
voiding sticker, if this is the case can you please confirm it John? (sorry for
not clarifying that i don't have one yet).

Also if anyone has it could you provide please some info on fan noise, on
battery and if there is screen fatigue from the optimal viewing angle (i'm
happy if others have a hard time finding out what i'm writing ), since
the info that i have found until now are as diverse as they can be.

And one more question please. Have anyone noticed if there is a model with
hsdpa + no optical drive + 32ssd or any hdd?
Thanks

 

1. There's no obvious warranty seals on the R500 I have seen.

2. The fan can get quite noisy when the CPU is under full load for some time. The normal fan trigger points are 55C, 70C and 85C. The fan must be very small so it has to spin very fast. There is an option under the power management that raises the trigger setting, at least for the lowest speed. This is the default when running on battery and it results in the chassis (particularly the left palm rest) in getting noticeably hotter.

3. Battery life is in the range 6 to 8 hours (1/4 brightness, no wireless). I think this depends on the power leakage of the individual U7600 CPUs. The specification range for the CPUs is quite wide so there is an element of luck in what you get.

4. The display is very good at full brightness with reasonable viewing angles. I think Toshiba changed something from the early models where people were complaining that the display was quite dim. The transflective model insn't very impressive. See the photos here.

John

 

John, thank you very much for the clarifications. I think i'll cross fingers and get one

 

Just bought an R500-S5008X for the wife. I'm very impressed with the size/weight. A bit underpowered, but the formfactor and weight make it worthwhile.

I'm thinking about a year from now would be a good time to stick an SSD in it. Has anyone actually tried this yet and can report on the results?

I did notice in the orgy of installing/uninstalling software yesterday that it seemed to me the hdd was the main contributor of heat, more so than the cpu. Can anyone report how much cooler the R500 is under load with an SSD rather than the HDD?

 

Go to the Hardware modifications section they have a huge thread on SSD's and there is a pretty big performance boost