Upgrading a brand new laptop with an SSD?

[jsedlak]

Looking at purchasing a laptop, and SSD prices are exceptionally high. Does it make sense to purchase a laptop and buy the SSD second hand? Will any 2.5 incher work? I would like to think so, but I also know that computer manufacturers enjoy creating proprietary connection interfaces.

 

[jonesthewine]

You should be able to read the specs on the lappy prior to purchasing to determine the size & type of HDD. 99.9% chance of it being standard connectors & 2.5 inch format.

Are you going to purchase a used or new SSD? New is the way to go, second hand might or might not be a wise move. Regardless, the migration is simple and the rewards are very noticeable. I did it and quite enjoy the experience.

 

[corkyg]

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me unless I had a really good deal on the laptop. I would do that by customizing my laptop order with the OEM. Otherwise, I would wait and see if the laptop met my needs as is before wasting money on a conventional HDD.

As long as the HDD and SSD are 2.5-in SATA, there should be no compatibility problem. BTW - don't buy a SSD unless it supports TRIM.

 

[jsedlak]

I would purchase the SSD new, and only if it made sense.

Here is an example laptop that I am looking at. The Dell Latitude E6410 with the Core i5 option. The "primary storage" options are as follows (as of today):

250gb 7200rpm HD (Selected)
320gb HD (+$30)
500gb HD (+$130)
250gb Encrypted HD (+$120)
128gb "Dell Mobility" SSD (+$300)
256gb "Dell Mobility" SSD (+$850)
128gb Encrypted "Dell Mobility" SSD (+$350)

I wonder what the true hardware of the Dell SSD options are, but I am sure that popular third party choices are comparable in performance. The 128gb drive makes a little less sense to go to an external vendor, but the 256gb seems to have a large premium. There are many options on NewEgg that fall well under that price point and support TRIM and maintain high or fairly high speeds.

An example of a 256gb drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820139114

The 128gb version doesn't make as much sense: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820139113

There are a few other benefits to going this route that have much less weight. Mainly I get to purchase a drive that I like from a manufacturer that I trust and research. But also I have a 250gb "backup" drive if ever needed.

 

[PCTC2]

There are better SSDs than the Kingstons on the market now. The 128GB doesn't make too much sense unless you know what Dell puts in there and want something better. As for 256GB:

OCZ Vertex 2 256GB (Sandforce)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-552-_-Product
Crucial C300 256GB (Micron)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148349

 

[Daax]

I am thinking of upgrading a Dell Vostro V13 with an SSD. Do I risk any incompatibilities with certain SSDs or can I expect that any recent SSD will work? One of the SSDs I consider is the Vertex 2.

 

[TimeKeeper]

I am thinking of upgrading a Dell Vostro V13 with an SSD. Do I risk any incompatibilities with certain SSDs or can I expect that any recent SSD will work? One of the SSDs I consider is the Vertex 2.

Both Intel X25-v and OCZ vertex 2 will work w/ fresh load win7-32 / 64 without issue.
In fact, both can push the battery to 5 hours per charge. (15% brightness - more than enough for indoor!! Bt off, wifi on, regular web and MS office) Intel X25-v can get into high-5 hours.

 

[Daax]

TimeKeeper many thanks for this information.
Is the Vostro V13 snappy with Win7 on the OCZ vertex 2 or should I rather run XP for regular web and MS office? I did not buy the Vostro yet, that's why I am asking.

 

[jjmIII]

You NEED Win7 to support TRIM on your SSD.

I'd buy an SSD seperate, and put the 7200rpm in an enclosure for some extra storage.
It's also nice to get the SSD fully set up and Win7 registered before you wipe the old spinning drive.

 

[TimeKeeper]

TimeKeeper many thanks for this information.
Is the Vostro V13 snappy with Win7 on the OCZ vertex 2 or should I rather run XP for regular web and MS office? I did not buy the Vostro yet, that's why I am asking.

Very snappy. Cold boot in 25~30 seconds. Shut down in less than 5 seconds.
Wake from Sleep, almost instantly.

 

[Daax]

TimeKeeper, how did you get Windows 7 on the SSD. Did youclone over from the HDD or did you do a fresh install? Did you do a [FONT=&quot]partition alignment? If yes, is there really a noticeable difference with as compared to without alignment?
[/FONT]

 

[TimeKeeper]

TimeKeeper, how did you get Windows 7 on the SSD. Did youclone over from the HDD or did you do a fresh install? Did you do a [FONT=&quot]partition alignment? If yes, is there really a noticeable difference with as compared to without alignment?
[/FONT]

Fresh install. Simply have win7 format it prior installing.
Correct me if I am wrong, alignment is for non-w7 and older hw that doesn't support AHCI

 

[Daax]

TimeKeeper, did win7 install go smoothly or is there any need for workarounds?

 

[TimeKeeper]

TimeKeeper, did win7 install go smoothly or is there any need for workarounds?

Again, if your laptop support AHCI, then there is no need to work around.