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    HP 8710w HDD upgrade question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by thomask, Apr 12, 2008.

  1. thomask

    thomask Notebook Guru

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    Hi,

    I can get a used HP 8710w (the one with the T7700 processor) for a very good price but it comes with only a 120GB 7200rpm HDD. Is it possible to add a second HDD? And if it isn't what other options do I have to add more storage space?

    Thanks!
     
    thomask, Apr 12, 2008
    #1
  2. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    I believe the 8710w only comes with a single bay drive. Usually only 17" come with dual hdd's

    One solution is getting an big external HD around 250gb

    Id keep the 7200RPM drive installed into the notebook.
     
    flipfire, Apr 12, 2008
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  3. thomask

    thomask Notebook Guru

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    but the 8710w IS a 17" notebook. Silly that it's one of the most expensive hp notebooks yet it comes with only a 120GB HDD...
     
    thomask, Apr 12, 2008
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  4. Dreamer

    Dreamer The Bad Boy

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    You can't add a second HDD, you can, however, upgrade it with a bigger one.

    And there is nothing silly there, the pre-confic models come with smaller HDDs to cut down the price. Otherwise, you can customize it with a 200 or 250 GB HDD. Upgrading aftermarket is usually cheaper though.
     
    Dreamer, Apr 12, 2008
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  5. thomask

    thomask Notebook Guru

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    You say "Upgrading aftermarket is usually cheaper though", does that include upgrading with HP? And if not, will I void my warranty if I upgrade my HDD myself?

    Also, what's the largest 7200rpm HDD I can install into the 8710w?

    And thanks for the help!
     
    thomask, Apr 12, 2008
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  6. thomask

    thomask Notebook Guru

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    Oh, also, If I buy one of those external USB powered HDD's, will it be a lot slower than an internal one? Do i loose speed over the USB connection?
     
    thomask, Apr 12, 2008
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  7. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    lol silly me, must have been thinking of a different notebook.

    You can get a 200gb 7200rpm drive. Look at the following brand ranges

    - Seagate Momentus
    - Hitachi 7k200
    - Western Digital
    - Samsung
     
    flipfire, Apr 12, 2008
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  8. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Yes it will be slower, but its not really a big deal.

    I have a 80gb one where i put all my movies, songs and backup. I just play it straight from the USB like it was an internal HDD

    Transfer speeds will be around 20MBps
     
    flipfire, Apr 12, 2008
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  9. Dreamer

    Dreamer The Bad Boy

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    No, it doesn't void your warranty...
     
    Dreamer, Apr 12, 2008
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  10. thomask

    thomask Notebook Guru

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    great! thanks for the help!
     
    thomask, Apr 12, 2008
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