Wanting to replace laptop hard drive with SSD

[amromb]

Guys,

I'm looking to replace the hard disk in my laptop with an SSD.

My laptop:

http://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/HP-Pavilion-dv6-3100-Entertainment-Notebook-PC-series/4247579/model/4315236

Would appreciate some advice regarding how much of an improvement an SSD would be (considering it looks like my laptop's hard disk interface is first generation SATA).

Anything else I should be aware of before going ahead with this? (Been reading about possible needing a spacer, depending on height of drive.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[hotdog321]

I don't know about the particulars on your laptop, but when I cloned and replaced the HD with a SSD on my laptop, it was a snap even though I had had zero experience doing this. I've done similar on a couple of desktops since then and this stuff is really easy. Forgive the horrible sound, please:

Yuge! improvement in boot time, firing up programs and many normally slow processes. In addition, the computer uses less power, runs cooler and is more shock resistant. I'll never use a computer without a SSD again.

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

--
photojournalist
http://craighartley.zenfolio.com/

 

[mxx]

My Crucial SSD was supplied with a spacer, but a piece of cardboard of appropriate thickness and cut to size would probably do the same job.

 

[tkbslc]

Do you have an option in your BIOS to set the SATA mode to AHCI? If not, you may have some issues and limited performance gain.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Would appreciate some advice regarding how much of an improvement an SSD would be (considering it looks like my laptop's hard disk interface is first generation SATA).

First gen Core i CPU, so 2nd gen. SATA. Unless HP opted to cripple it. (Like Lenovo did on the T61, supposedly for compatibility with the SATA > ATA chip that was used for the ODD bay.)

 

[brn]

Do you have an option in your BIOS to set the SATA mode to AHCI? If not, you may have some issues and limited performance gain.

Many disagree with me, but I stand by that AHCI only really helps with benchmarks. For typical usage, AHCI won't give you a noticeable performance gain unless you're running a transactional database.

SATA (first or second gen) may not spec up with the maximum speeds of an SSD, but for most usage, you won't either. The latency is where the SSD makes the most difference and you will observe a dramatic performance improvement.

I'd also recommend a resintall over a clone. Reinstalls are just cleaner. If you must clone, I'm a fan of Macrium Reflect. For simple clones, it's free and it works well.

 

[kelpdiver]

I'm looking to replace the hard disk in my laptop with an SSD.

Older laptop doesn't need the best SSD - any reliable choice with sufficient storage will be a nice improvement over the 5400 rpm laptop drives. You might look into the power draw figures for battery life purposes.

 

[malch]

Many disagree with me, but I stand by that AHCI only really helps with benchmarks. For typical usage, AHCI won't give you a noticeable performance gain unless you're running a transactional database.

Agreed.

SATA (first or second gen) may not spec up with the maximum speeds of an SSD, but for most usage, you won't either. The latency is where the SSD makes the most difference and you will observe a dramatic performance improvement.

Agreed.

I'd also recommend a resintall over a clone. Reinstalls are just cleaner. If you must clone, I'm a fan of Macrium Reflect. For simple clones, it's free and it works well.

Agreed.

A half decent SSD, even with first gen SATA, will give a great performance improvement over a 5400rpm laptop hard drive.

 

[Pictus]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

Install, update the firmware and etc... Then remove...

 

[SC489]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

You can disable Magician from running at start-up and just run it when needed to check SSD health. You don't really need Magician anyway.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

You can disable Magician from running at start-up and just run it when needed to check SSD health. You don't really need Magician anyway.

No firmware updates without it...

 

[photosen]

Guys,

I'm looking to replace the hard disk in my laptop with an SSD.

My laptop:
http://support.hp.com/gb-en/product...ment-Notebook-PC-series/4247579/model/4315236

Would appreciate some advice regarding how much of an improvement an SSD would be (considering it looks like my laptop's hard disk interface is first generation SATA).

Anything else I should be aware of before going ahead with this? (Been reading about possible needing a spacer, depending on height of drive.)

Thanks in advance.

The difference should be night and day. I would go for a well regarded model, like the Samsung evo 850 or Crucial mx200, the typical choice is to look for a 500GB or 1TB hard drive and stare at the prices in disbelief, and then look for lesser brands; go for whatever you can afford in a decent brand even if it's slightly smaller, like 250GB.

 

[Mark H]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

You can disable Magician from running at start-up and just run it when needed to check SSD health. You don't really need Magician anyway.

No firmware updates without it...

Samsung provide bootable CD/DVD ISO image files for the sole purpose of updating their SSD firmware.

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

www.samsung.com

I've used one of these, burned to a CD-RW, to update the firmware of an'840 EVO'.

So there is no need to install the the 'Magician' to perform a firmware update.

That said - the 'Magician' software probably makes checking-finding-downloading-installing any appropriate firmware upgrade somewhat easier for many 'average' users.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

If you get the Samsung 850 EVO SSD, it comes with Samsung Magician software that allows all kinds of easy tweaks. The Samsung cloning software didn't work for me, however.

It allows Samsung to collect info on you. That's the main thing... and if you don't agree... no firmware updates. Boycot that stuff!

You can disable Magician from running at start-up and just run it when needed to check SSD health. You don't really need Magician anyway.

No firmware updates without it...

Samsung provide bootable CD/DVD ISO image files for the sole purpose of updating their SSD firmware.

http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools.html

I've used one of these, burned to a CD-RW, to update the firmware of an'840 EVO'.

So there is no need to install the the 'Magician' to perform a firmware update.

That said - the 'Magician' software probably makes checking-finding-downloading-installing any appropriate firmware upgrade somewhat easier for many 'average' users.

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

 

[Austinian]

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

That sounds pretty trivial; is there now a problem installing, then uninstalling/disabling Magician for the (rare) firmware updates?

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

That sounds pretty trivial; is there now a problem installing, then uninstalling/disabling Magician for the (rare) firmware updates?

Yes. It's not needed, I don't want it, and Samsung has no business collection info on my system.

 

[Austinian]

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

That sounds pretty trivial; is there now a problem installing, then uninstalling/disabling Magician for the (rare) firmware updates?

Yes. It's not needed, I don't want it, and Samsung has no business collection info on my system.

So there's no real problem; that's good, I didn't know if there was an actual install/uninstall issue to deter me from future Samsung SSDs. Thanks.

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

That sounds pretty trivial; is there now a problem installing, then uninstalling/disabling Magician for the (rare) firmware updates?

Yes. It's not needed, I don't want it, and Samsung has no business collection info on my system.

So there's no real problem; that's good, I didn't know if there was an actual install/uninstall issue to deter me from future Samsung SSDs. Thanks.

There is if you bought one of these SSD's before they started snooping on their users. For new users; you can just buy another brand SSD.

 

[Austinian]

Your story does not apply to their current products. Samsung does not offer *.ISO updates for their 750 EVO, 850 EVO, 850 Pro, 950 Pro

Crucial however, continues to offer *.ISO updates for all their products.

This nasty move by Samsung is just one more reason why I never let anyone buy a Samsung SSD for systems I advise on.

That sounds pretty trivial; is there now a problem installing, then uninstalling/disabling Magician for the (rare) firmware updates?

Yes. It's not needed, I don't want it, and Samsung has no business collection info on my system.

So there's no real problem; that's good, I didn't know if there was an actual install/uninstall issue to deter me from future Samsung SSDs. Thanks.

There is if you bought one of these SSD's before they started snooping on their users. For new users; you can just buy another brand SSD.

I'm not worried about info, Google, Steam, MS, etc. have that PC data already. Just any possible functional issues.

When I need another SSD, I'll buy Samsung unless there's a better value around at the time; the four I have now have been perfect.