Upgrade/replace Precision 5510 battery

Note that the only storage option compatible with the big battery is the M.2 SSD (either SATA or NVMe) as the larger battery cannot co-exist with a 2.5" storage device. You will need a Torx screwdriver to remove the screws around the edge of the bottom computer and a Philips screwdriver for the two screws under the service tag flap plus the battery itself.

John

 

Guys, it's obvious to me that, you can't upgrade the battery if you have a 2,5" disk.
But the question for me is, if there is possibility to install a M2 ssd, remove the 2,5" ssd and install a larger battery instead? I'm not sure if it's possible, maybe there is no slot for the M2 if you have a laptop with 2,5" and 56 battery configuration?
I've heard that the motherboards are unique for everyconfiguration and you can't do such upgrades, you can just upgrade the RAM.
Is it true? Or every motherboard has the slot for M2 memory and it's just a rumour that you can't go for a bigger battery if your computer came already with the smaller battery and 2,5 inch disk.

PS. The information I've heard came from a Dell technic who came to fix my laptop and replace the motherboard when my computer was broken. But I'm not sure, maybe it's just the Dell politics to tell people that you can't upgrade, in order to encourage them to buy more expensive configurations.

Thanks

 

That is not true, every 5510 has a M.2 slot, and you can perform the upgrade that you want. You will need to purchase a thermal pad for your M.2 drive in addition to the drive itself.

 

I did exactly this and even more. I write this reply on a Dell XPS 15 purchased off eBay that came with the i7-6700HQ and 56Wh battery. I upgraded the battery to 84Wh battery and also purchased a screaming deal on a poorly advertised Precision 5510 Xeon E3-1505M motherboard, both sold on eBay. You can swap the batteries and motherboards without issue.

My 56 Wh XPS 15 came with the drive cage for the 2.5" drive and I assume the 84Wh systems don't have the cage because it wouldn't fit. This would be the only issue. Seems easier to upgrade the battery then downgrade as you'd have to source the 2.5" drive cage (mine is available if anyone is doing the opposite!).

 

You would also have to source the SATA/power cable adapter thing for the 2.5" drive in this case, it is not included if you order a 5510 without a 2.5" drive.