Netbook HDD Question

[TubeTote]

I am looking for a decent netbook for my business. What is dissappointing is the lack of customizations available. Seems none have all the features I want, and I need an expresscard port which limits me even further. Anyway, it also seems like hardly any models come with a solid state drive, and that is what I want. Does anyone know if you can swap out the HDD with a solid state one without too much hassle?

 

[corkyg]

All it takes is money - about equal to what you paid for the netbook. I'm always curious as to why we buy something that does not meet our needs.

And, this . . .

NB

 

[Zirconium]

It is not difficult to swap in an SSD drive. They come in the same form factor of a regular notebook hard drive. You just have to go through the same hassle as you would with replacing any hard disk, which for a new notebook means installing the OS, drivers and software.

corkyg said it a bit insultingly, but you may want to consider whether you actually need an SSD. A 64 GB SLC drive costs in the ballpark of $500 and higher. If you are getting one solely for perceived performance benefits, that money would probably be better spent elsewhere. Also, I'm not sure what his point with the netbook link is since I don't think it comes with an expresscard slot.

 

[corkyg]

No insult intended. Simply a valid question, especially in these days where every dollar counts. The added NB was simply to show what improvements are possible with a netbook. Express card? That was addressed by the question.

 

[boomhower]

Most will be able to easily take a 2.5" SSD but not all. The Dell mini 9 comes to mind as it uses a 1.8" drive.

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Most will be able to easily take a 2.5" SSD but not all. The Dell mini 9 comes to mind as it uses a 1.8" drive.

The Dell Mini 9 uses Half Mini PCIe SSD cards. It doesn't use 1.8" drives.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: TubeTote
Seems none have all the features I want, and I need an expresscard port which limits me even further. Anyway, it also seems like hardly any models come with a solid state drive, and that is what I want.

I don't know what other features you want but doesn't sound like a netbook is going to suffice for you. expresscard port. SSDs are generally available on "thin and light" full feature laptops such as the Dell E4200/E4300, Lenovo ThinkPads, or Sony VAIO Z series -- all of which are pricey.

The Dell Small Business Outlet has been running a coupon promotion for about 10 days now so the there's not lot of stock but you may get lucky and find what you need.

 

[TubeTote]

Thank you for all the input, including the question about buying something that doesn't meet our needs.

I should clarify that I only need a 16GB SSD and only programs will be loaded onto it. There is one on Newegg for $139...still pricey, but obtainable. I have a 16GB flash drive for document storage (mostly word, pdf and some jpegs). Most of my work is done on my desktop, but I need a portable for when on the road. It will need to have an expresscard port so I can use verizon wireless. I know there are a few IBMs out there that have one, but they all come with only one gig of memory and none have SSD's. From what I have read from the replies, I should be able to easily replace the HDD and upgrade the memory to 2GB.

The reason I won't buy a full featured laptop is that they all come with Vista, and my last experience with it was beyond terrible. I know there are people who would argue about it, but I tried it for many months and it just didn't seem to work right with my work software, or anything else I was doing for that matter.

I agree with corkyg that it sucks to have to upgrade these things and spend more money, but it seems to be my best solution at this time. You would think the manufacturers would at least offer these upgrades. Please do tell if you have any other advice or opinions, as I will listen.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: TubeTote
The reason I won't buy a full featured laptop is that they all come with Vista...

Not nececessarily, there are lots of systems in the Dell Outlet that include the XP downgrade option. There is a 15% disount coupon available too.

 

[TubeTote]

Really...thanks for the heads up Athena, I will have myself a look. I searched for XP notebooks a couple of years back and the selection I found was very limited, but don't think I looked at the Dell Outlet.

 

[WobbleWobble]

RunCore SSDs are popular replacements. MyDigitalDiscount is where I bought mine. I ended up getting my product and am happy with it, but their customer service could be improved (mulitple unanswered emails).

jkkmobile has some reviews on them as well.

I replaced my super slow 4GB Asus Eee 900A SSD with a 16GB RunCore model. Significantly faster and absolutely silent to boot.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: TubeTote

I searched for XP notebooks a couple of years back and the selection I found was very limited, but don't think I looked at the Dell Outlet.

I don't think they offer the downgrade option on "Home" systems; look in Small Business for them.

All of the E4200s come with SSDs and a few 4300s show up with them every few days.

 

[TubeTote]

Thanks again, I was looking at the home systems and couldn't find any XP models. Also tried calling them several times but it seems they are permanently closed. I'll look at the business models.

 

[IlllI]

why exactly do you want ssd?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: IlllI
why exactly do you want ssd?

this

 

[hans007]

the only netbooks with express card ports are

hp 2133 , hp 2140 have express card 54

and the lenovo s10/s10e have express card 34 (the s10-2 doesnt have it anymore).

You can replace the drive if you can get the correct format it should work fine. most netbooks with hard drives use a standard 2.5" sata drive.


I'd stay away from netbooks with 1.8" pata drives , they are harder to replace (hp mini 1000, etc) but you can also get ssds for those also, just not as common.

 

[Athena]

FYI: I got a Dell Small Business Outlet coupon this morning -- 15% off Latitude systems. You might want to take a look what's left for E4200 and E4300. The best systems usually go within an hour of the mailings but there will be more over the next few days.

 

[JPS]

Originally posted by: TubeTote
I am looking for a decent netbook for my business. What is dissappointing is the lack of customizations available. Seems none have all the features I want, and I need an expresscard port which limits me even further. Anyway, it also seems like hardly any models come with a solid state drive, and that is what I want. Does anyone know if you can swap out the HDD with a solid state one without too much hassle?

If you do not mind tearing into the netbook and getting your hands dirty wee bit, I have possible solution for you. OCZ makes a DIY netbook see here. It has what you are looking for as you can spec the HDD/SSD that goes into it, spec the RAM (it will take up to 2GB), has an expresscard 34 slot, and also allows upgrading of other components. It is also outfitted for 3G internally so you could get a mini PCI-e WWAN card from your wireless carrier and be set.

I am suggesting this as I recently purchased one for use in the field as a computer/IT Technician and I love it. I added a 60GB OCZ Vertex SSD (FYI: do not get the cheaper lines as the controllers suck) 2GB of mushkin RAM, and an Intel 5300AGN WiFi card. It dual boots XP and Linux and is awesome. I am adding a Verizon WWAN card next. If you are adept at "tuning" XP, or any other OS, you can make the netbook scream. Feel free to contact me if you want more info or want to discuss further.

 

[TubeTote]

Thanks for your replies. I have meant to respond sooner but have been very busy and a bit ill.

I have never seen a DIY netbook, looks pretty cool. I like the idea of buying my own hardware, and I'm not afraid to try assembling one. I will be looking more into that.

As far as the Dell Outlet, guess I have had bad luck so far. I do see that appealing models will show up...but when I click on the link they are usually gone. I have not yet given up on the possibility though.

Someone asked why I want SSD...simple. I don't want to ever lose my data again from shock. Plus I like the faster performance. Not that it is a perfect solution, but I'll take it.

I've been a bit delayed in my purchase, and now I see a newer Atom processor coming out in some models. I have read that the performance hasn't really improved due to the FSB in most of these netbooks. I can't really wait much longer, as I will be heading out on the road soon. Thanks again for all the helpful input.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: TubeTote

Someone asked why I want SSD...simple. I don't want to ever lose my data again from shock. Plus I like the faster performance. Not that it is a perfect solution, but I'll take it.

problem with that is ssd capacity is rather tiny compared to traditional hard drives. i dont know what kind of data you want to store, but ssd gets quite expensive quite fast.

if you need to keep a large amount of data, i would suggest getting an external hard drive and using that to backup your files with.

 

[JPS]

FWIW - I am truly liking the DIY Neutrino. I have had it running XP Pro, Server 2003, Vista Business and Serve 2008 and it handles all of the fine. I am settling on Server 2003 as it just feels faster than XP Pro (placebo I know) and it is as tweakable as XP Pro thanks to the kick-a$$ effort of the developers of nLite.

As for the SSD size issue. I do not use the netbook as a main computer. I have very high-end workstation to handle those duties as well as dedicated fileserver for archival and short-term BUs. The netbook is used simply for field work and does not need a ton of storage space. I went with the 60GB SSD as I was not certain a 30GB would be sufficient had I decided to go with Vista or Server 2008.

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: TubeTote
Seems none have all the features I want, and I need an expresscard port which limits me even further. Anyway, it also seems like hardly any models come with a solid state drive, and that is what I want.

I don't know what other features you want but doesn't sound like a netbook is going to suffice for you. expresscard port. SSDs are generally available on "thin and light" full feature laptops such as the Dell E4200/E4300, Lenovo ThinkPads, or Sony VAIO Z series -- all of which are pricey.

Originally posted by: TubeTote


Someone asked why I want SSD...simple. I don't want to ever lose my data again from shock. Plus I like the faster performance. Not that it is a perfect solution, but I'll take it.

Unfortunately, most off-the-shelf netbooks aren't going to have SSDs that are any faster than a spindle drive, as cost a major driving factor in spec'ing these things. Actually, they may be noticeably slower if you don't go about tweaking your system to minimize writes. My eeePC 901 was unbearable after I installed Avast and the Spybot resident protection (got a little bit better after I disabled the NTFS last access update).

I'd tend to agree with Athena in that you may want expand your search beyond just netbooks.

 

[IlllI]

i personally think that OCZ netbook is a gimmick. theres not much to 'do' in the diy aspect. just add ram and a hd. everything else is already pre-configured.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: IlllI

problem with that is ssd capacity is rather tiny compared to traditional hard drives. i dont know what kind of data you want to store, but ssd gets quite expensive quite fast.

The SSD in my new E4300 is 128GB -- which is plenty big for someone whose focus is mobility and was considering a netbook. Also, prices on SSD will fall just like anything else. By the time he fills up 64-128GB, larger ones will be available at less cost.

if you need to keep a large amount of data, i would suggest getting an external hard drive and using that to backup your files with.

I will never understand how anyone can offer this type of "solution": the whole point of a small and light laptop is mobility[/]; an external drive is the antithetical to the reason for getting one in the first place.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: TubeTote
As far as the Dell Outlet, guess I have had bad luck so far. I do see that appealing models will show up...but when I click on the link they are usually gone. I have not yet given up on the possibility thoug.

The site performance has been really bad for the past few days. PM me if you need a 15% off coupon.

BTW, Are you sorting on descending price? The units with SSDs tend to be more expensive so you're more likely to find what you want at the high end of the group. There were several E4300 WinXP units with SSD when I checked today ...$713 - $781 (with coupon). E4200s, which are generally outfitted with the "Ultra Performance" SSD, tend to be more expensive.