The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Upgrading Samsung Series 9

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by neekme, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. neekme

    neekme Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey
    I am thinking of getting a Samsung series 9 with 128gb ssd and 4gb ram.

    Is there an easy way to upgrade the ssd and ram? or is it impossible to change those?

    I have tried researching but couldn't find anything and 128gb ssd is very small.
     
  2. Swiftks

    Swiftks Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    You can upgrade the RAM pretty effortlessly. I stuck 8 GB of the best/fastest RAM I could find for it, and it works great, and is uber fast.

    For Installing new RAM see here:
    Upgrade RAM on the Samsung Series 9 Laptop | Hedonistica

    For RAM upgrade review see here:
    Kingston HyperX DDR-3 1866Mhz 2x4GB Notebook Memory Quick Look - The SSD Review

    To Purchase The above RAM:
    Amazon.com: Kingston HyperX Plug n Play 8 GB Kit (2x4GB Modules) 1866MHz DDR3 SODIMM Notebook/Netbook Memory 8 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 15000) 204-Pin KHX1866C11S3P1K2/8G: Electronics


    The SSD... jury is still out. The problem is, Samsung is not releasing the SSD used in the series 9, for sale. I would very much like to install the 256 GB ssd that comes in the newer series 9s, but since you can't order it, your stuck using aftermarket products and may or may not be as good as the OEM SSD... if you try it out, please report back on your experience.

    Sereis 9 SSD Review:
    Samsung PM800 128GB mSATA SSD Review - Samsung Quietly Releases another Top Tier SSD - The SSD Review
     
  3. brian5

    brian5 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    277
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    @neekme, Swiftks

    RAM. There are cheaper options to that HyperX RAM, which I have too.

    SSDs. I don't know about other compatible options but both the 128GB SSD and 256GB SSD can be purchased from SamsungParts.com I don't have the link for the 128GB (part# MZMPA128HMFU-00000) but the 256GB model can be found here for $570 plus shipping :(
     
  4. Swiftks

    Swiftks Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Even though under the description it says HDD, I'm assuming they meant SSD??

    Here's the link for the 128gb... model # seems to match that listed in the SSDreview article: MZMPA128HMFU (SSD Review) vs MZMPA128HMFU-00000 (Samsungparts).
    BA5902995A - Original Samsung Parts & Accessories and Products

    I'm gonna check out the 256 GB a little more to make sure it's the right one, and then I might order it and try it out. Thanks for the info!
     
  5. brian5

    brian5 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    277
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    @ Swiftks

    I can guarantee that that 256GB SSD is the right one -- it's what arrived installed in my A05. Note that it's not as small as the 128GB SSD -- it weighs about 1-2 ounces more.

    It may actually make sense to look for another compatible mSATA drive.
     
  6. Apparition

    Apparition Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
  7. neekme

    neekme Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    wow $570 for 256gb ssd!

    I found a decent deal on a series 9 locally but I need more space than 128gb, without paying an extra $600 for it.

    Does anyone know if there are cheaper 256gb options?

    I might just wait and buy an ultrabook though.
     
  8. brian5

    brian5 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    277
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    This post (on this forum) has some SSD's listed that might be a good start.

    You need to look for mSATA 1.8" SSD drives. Not mPCIe SSDs.

    That post, that I linked to above, has some good info. I also see that the original poster has updated the first post with Samsung Series 9 info that I gave him :)

    I have done some searching for a compatible 256GB SSD drive and cannot find any. As you already have the S9, I would try to make do with the 128MB SSD for a couple of months and then look again. You could also look at TheSSDReview and post a question there.
     
  9. dammad42

    dammad42 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Does anyone have a picture of the 256GB SSD installed into a Series 9? I got one of the 256GB SSDs mentioned in the thread and our IT support claim it was too big to fit and returned it before I could get my hands on it.
     
  10. brian5

    brian5 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    277
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    @dammad42

    I did post these before but here's some pics of the 256GB SSD that came installed in my Series 9 A05.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. dammad42

    dammad42 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Oops. Sorry must have missed it. Many thanks.
     
  12. brian5

    brian5 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    277
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    @dammad42

    No problem. It was somewhere in that long NP900X3A thread. I was just apologizing for posting them again...
     
  13. zj4x4

    zj4x4 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Does anyone know if the 256gb MZ8PA256HMDR that Brian5 showed will fit in the 9004B (15" Series 9)? I just ordered one and that's the only upgrade I need to be happy with this system.
     
  14. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Can't see why not. both sizes of the S9 use the same mSATA SSD module (but the new ones are faster). I'm also someone who is very interested in the 15" S9 but worried how I could live with 128GB (but I can't see anyone selling the 256GB modules in UK).

    John