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    What kind of SSD for the lappy?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by sorrowdemonica, Feb 10, 2011.

  1. sorrowdemonica

    sorrowdemonica Newbie

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    I was wondering what someone could recommend to me a Solid State drive for my new alienware m11x.

    I never owned a SSD drive before and wonder if there's a difference between the desktop version and laptop version or are they all the same size and configuration?


    Lastly I am looking for a drive with at least 200GB and under $400 and is fast.

    please let me know :)!
     
    sorrowdemonica, Feb 10, 2011
    #1
  2. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    You'll need a 2.5" SSD for your laptop. The OCZ Vertex 2 is a good choice. One of the fastest SSDs out now. Newegg has the 240GB model for $415.99 with a rebate that brings it to $385.99.
     
    kosti, Feb 10, 2011
    #2
  3. sorrowdemonica

    sorrowdemonica Newbie

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    yeah I saw that one, but wanted to make sure..

    however one last question I have... is it easy to install and will I be able to use the alienware windows 7 disc that came with the system to get everything running on the new drive?

    or am I required to clone the drive or install a different windows disc all together?

    thanks
     
    sorrowdemonica, Feb 10, 2011
    #3
  4. RichardRoma

    RichardRoma Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hard drive is easy to install, however to install windows you either need
    1.) a Disk Drive
    2.) a External Hard Drive
    3.) USB flash drive big enough to store windows.

    with 2/3 you need another pc with a disk drive to copy files over to boot drive.
     
    RichardRoma, Feb 10, 2011
    #4
  5. ultimablade

    ultimablade Notebook Consultant

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    Wow... prices fall fast. Got mine 1.5 months ago for 460 off NewEgg....
     
    ultimablade, Feb 10, 2011
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  6. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    1) You can do a bunch of research, but you will come to the conclusion that an OCZ Vertex 2 is a very smart choice. I would get that one.

    2) You will want a 2.5" SATA drive. Almost all SSD's are 2.5", so you should not have any problems there.

    3) OCZ Vertex 2 240GB for ~$400 is what you want.

    4) Yes, easy to install. Unscrew the 8 screws from the bottom panel of the laptop, and you will see the current laptop hard drive. Just swap out your existing hard drive with your new SSD, and you are good to go.

    Once you install the SSD, your computer and Windows will see and treat the SSD just like any other drive. You do not need to do anything special to format the drive, use the drive, etc. Just use it like you would any other drive.

    5) You can either totally re-install Windows 7 from the Recovery DVD (use an external DVD drive or a USB key), or you can use imaging software to clone your existing hard drive to the new SSD. If I were you, I would do a clean install, because one of the most fun parts about getting new computer components like an SSD is to watch how fast Windows installs.
     
    kent1146, Feb 10, 2011
    #6
  7. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    BatBoy, Feb 10, 2011
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