Laptop Hard drives

[ZachMarius]

I'm wanting to upgrade my Notebook HDD but am wondering a couple of things.

1. Are all hard drives created equal?
2. Are all hard drives created the same size?
3. Will a 2.5" HDD fit in my laptop? (i.e. Panasonic CF-T1R)
4. What brand is the best?
5. Will it work with my notebook?

Thanks for any and all questions answered. This is really helping me out!

Thanks again

 

[ribbon13]

No. No.
The Seagate Savvio's are the best, but probably won't won't in your laptop. Seagate is the best brand.

Try the Momentus Series

 

[Googer]

No, not all HDD's are created equil. For the best performance of your computer get a Hitachi 7k60 Laptop hard drive. Trust me you will instantly feel a differance in the speed of your pc.


http://www.hitachigst.com/portal/site/h...enuID=22f0deefa8f3967dafa0466460e4f0a0

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...jsp?ProductCode=100519&affiliate=yahoo

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
No. No.
The Seagate Savvio's are the best, but probably won't won't in your laptop. Seagate is the best brand.

Try the Momentus Series

SAVVIO? WTF are you talking about! Those are SCSI Server And workstation drives and are 100% INCOMPATABLE with his computer.

I think we have a fan boy on our hands.

 

[Googer]

http://www20.tomshardware.com/storage/20030813/index.html

 

[Googer]

Seagate Momentus eats all the dust the 7k60 leaves in it's trail. Seagate Momentus is 30% slower than Hitachi 7k60

 

[ribbon13]

I said they won't work, but they ARE 2.5" drives...

Get off the soap box man.

 

[ribbon13]

If you have the cash the 7200rpm hard drives are indeed faster (gee I wonder.. 5400 vs 7200rpm) but will also create a bit more heat.

"Seagate's Momentus scored well, in general. As a newcomer to the notebook market, it performed wonders. Its access time and minimal data-transfer rates were not far behind those of the Hitachi Travelstar 7K60."

Yeah... go tomshardware...

 

[ZachMarius]

This still begs a couple of questions.

Now that I have the information how do I choose correctly

1. How can I tell if my HDD (currently) is a 2.5" or if it's a 1.8"?
2. If I purchase, install, and try out and screws up, how do I know if the drive would have worked there in the first place?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ZachMarius
This still begs a couple of questions.

Now that I have the information how do I choose correctly

1. How can I tell if my HDD (currently) is a 2.5" or if it's a 1.8"?
2. If I purchase, install, and try out and screws up, how do I know if the drive would have worked there in the first place?

Take It out and measure it, IF it is bigger than 2 inches than it's a 2.5 inch hdd. Smaller than 2 inches and it's 1.8 inches. IF you screw it up it's your own fault. Most hdd's used in laptops 99% are 2.5 inches.

 

[Googer]

Since you own toughbook from panasonic, I would only recomned one DRIVE that is a Rugedized version of the 7k60 the E7K60 is the version designed to take abuse.

http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=32971

 

[ZachMarius]

True if it screwed up then it would be my fault.

One final question

1. How can I tell what kind of connector it is without counting the pins?

 

[ribbon13]

You likely have a 44-pin IDC

Here's the E7k60 for a bit cheaper.
http://www.a2zcomp.com/buy.asp?REF=1&SKU=14R9200

 

[ZachMarius]

Well I was curious and took apart my laptop, and yes it still works, and decided I needed to be sure about the pins on the HDD. It is a 42 pin connector with a 4 block of pins unused. I measured it too and it came out to 3.75inx2.75inx5/16in. is this a special form factor?

 

[Googer]

It sounds to me like you may have made a small mistake in your measurements. If you have some calipers try using them. If not press the HDD against an edge you know is perfetly 90° to the floor like a wall. Next press the ruller against the wall in the corner and try taking the measurements that way. So you know that you are not of by 1/8 th of an inch on both sides.

But In my mind it is highly doubtfull that you have a "special form factor HDD". IF you could let me know the model# and manufacturer of the drive then I will tell you more.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
You likely have a 44-pin IDC

Here's the E7k60 for a bit cheaper.
http://www.a2zcomp.com/buy.asp?REF=1&SKU=14R9200

It's not even in stock, so that merchant is useless.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
If you have the cash the 7200rpm hard drives are indeed faster (gee I wonder.. 5400 vs 7200rpm) but will also create a bit more heat.

"Seagate's Momentus scored well, in general. As a newcomer to the notebook market, it performed wonders. Its access time and minimal data-transfer rates were not far behind those of the Hitachi Travelstar 7K60."

Yeah... go tomshardware...

Not nesecsarily, look at the power consumption it is almost the same as the slower seagate momentus.

http://www20.tomshardware.com/storage/20030813/mini-harddisks-04.html

I will admit though the seagate momentus is a nice HDD and Is my second place pick. You cant go wrong with one of those.

 

[ZachMarius]

Just to let you guys know i did purchase the Hitachi. I'm expecting it on Monday from newegg (ordered on Thursday) and I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ZachMarius
Just to let you guys know i did purchase the Hitachi. I'm expecting it on Monday from newegg (ordered on Thursday) and I'll let you know how it goes!

Thats great! Newegg.com is too, but It's cheaper at zipzoomfly.com

 

[ZachMarius]

True, But I also bought an enclosure for the old drive and a wireless 54MBs Linksys card. and I have a long history with newegg.com (dosen't get me discounts but makes me feel better knowing who I'm dealing with)

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ZachMarius
True, But I also bought an enclosure for the old drive and a wireless 54MBs Linksys card. and I have a long history with newegg.com (dosen't get me discounts but makes me feel better knowing who I'm dealing with)

Agreed, it is some times better to go with some one you can trust. I have had good experiences with Newegg.com and zipzoomfly.com (formerly googlegear.com)

 

[ZachMarius]

gahhhh Stupid Fed-Ex won't give me the package. Here's what's up.

I looked up the tracking number for the laptop hard drive from Newegg on Fedex.com and it came up that it was in portland on Saturday (where I live). So I decided if it wasn't delivered regular time on monday I'd go down there and pick it up. It didn't arrive. I wasn't too mad so I set out to go pick it up. Drove down there and asked if I could pick up my package and the person behind the desk said no. I asked why I couldn't and she said a) it wasn't at that particular place (ok fine with me I'll just drive to the other place) b) I couldn't recieve it because 'It isn't time for it to be delivered yet' Ok..... So why not 'Well because it is going to be delivered maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.' OK so can I pick it up at the place now even though it's mine? 'No. They won't give it to you' Even though it's mine? 'Yes it's going to be delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Well needless to say I'm pissed at Fed-Ex for refusing me from my package. I kept my cool this time but if I don't recieve it by tomorrow then I'm going to be one pissed off customer and that person's manager will here from me.

Ok venting session done. I feel a little better. I've had a pleasant experience with Fed-Ex in the past and if everything goes ok for tomorrow I will probably forget about this experience.

Fweh. ok I'm out to work on my comp again. Toodles.

 

[ZachMarius]

I got the drive and tried it out in my laptop and of course it didn't work because of one pin. The pin is number 22 pin and in my laptop the connection is blocked out. ie I can't use the drive in my laptop. I will however keep the drive in the enclosure I have with usb which is good and bad at the same time. Good/ I can bring it everywhere. Bad/didn't upgrade my laptop in the least. However I will be able to install that in a drive if I get another laptop in the future (as it is the best on the market now (and in my mind)). SO all is not lost.

 

[EnDaRi]

The Hitachi Travelstar 60 gb 7200 rpm drive!!! Nothing but speed, quality, and performance!!!