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    Do I use 12.5mm or 9.5mm HD?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by zephyrus17, Apr 29, 2009.

  1. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    I have a T61p with a Hitachi HTS722016K9S. And googling says it's a 9.5mm drive. But can I slot in a 12.5mm drive? I've noticed 'holders' that wraps around my current 7k200
     
    zephyrus17, Apr 29, 2009
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  2. Hirohata

    Hirohata GBF Danchou

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    Just search for a standard 2.5" notebook drive as it's more common to search that way. Should be of 9.5mm size anyway. Don't really think 12.5mm size would fit.
     
    Hirohata, Apr 29, 2009
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    It is very unlikely that a 12.5mm drive will fit. I think the few 12.5mm thick HDDs are left over from a previous era. For example, the original Hitachi 5K500 was 12.5mm thick in order to provide 500GB on 3 platters. It is now replaced by the 9.5mm thick 5K500.B which uses 2 platters and gives better performance while using less power.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Apr 29, 2009
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  4. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    ahhh ok.. onlinevip.com.au had 2 Hitachi 500Gb drives and the only difference was the 12.5 and 9.5mm height. it's strange that the 12.5 old gen HD was more expensive
     
    zephyrus17, Apr 29, 2009
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  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I've seen that elsewhere. Last year's HDD with last year's pricing. I can't think of a good reason for anyone to buy it. One can usually put a 9.5mm thick HDD into the few computers which have 12.5mm high bays. Otherwise they are waiting for someone who thinks that more expensive = better.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Apr 29, 2009
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  6. AuroraAlpha

    AuroraAlpha Notebook Consultant

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    The computer comes with a 9.5mm drive and has a harddrive caddy and rubber endcaps that help to provide some shock protection.

    When your using the computer, the harddrive is under your right palmrest. If you turn the laptop over and remove one screw you can then pull out a piece of plastic trim. Then pull the little plastic peice and the whole caddy will come out. so you can see for yourself.

    It might be possible to fix a 12.5mm drive with a different caddy, but it will not line up with the hardware the laptop comes with stock, so you'll be on your own trying to figure it out. 9.5mm on the ohter hand is pretty much guaranteed to work.
     
    AuroraAlpha, Apr 29, 2009
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  7. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I have a T61, which shares the same shell as a T61P, the opening is 11.5mm. However please note that it cannot fit an 11.5mm thick drive. The Sata connector is at a certain given point, so the thickest drive which can be installed is a ~10.5mm thick drive, if the rubber sleeves are removed.

    Stick with a 9.5mm drive and you cannot go wrong

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Apr 29, 2009
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  8. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    Thanks to AuroraAlpha and K-TRON. I've opened the laptop before, so I know what to do. But it just seems really odd and/or underhanded to price the old gen more expensive.

    I was looking for 500GB alternatives to the Seagate 7200.4 and I stumbled upon this. I'd better be careful with that shop, then.
     
    zephyrus17, Apr 30, 2009
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