Why SSD over HDD

pavb2 · 02-01-2016 12:46pm #1

http://www.ebuyer.com/720342-lenovo-essential-b50-80-laptop-80ew01akuk

I've been looking at the above laptop since sept but hasn't come down in price I'm now thinking that the 128 ssd might not be enough and for the same money I could probably get 500 - 1000 gb hard drive like the one below and cheaper.

The laptop will be for general usage emails, web, MS office no gaming.

http://www.ebuyer.com/724984-hp-250-g4-laptop-n1a92ea-abu

I like the convenience of a large hard drive presumably with the ssd I would need to be using an external hard drive or have everything in the cloud.

Can anyone offer any advice or alternatives.

02-01-2016 12:49pm

An SSD of that size will severely limit you without an external.

If it's going to be your primary storage drive then take the performance hit and go large HDD.

In terms of why SSD? Their start up and access speeds are outstanding but the trade off is cost for size

drunkmonkey · 02-01-2016 12:53pm

Speed, Speed, Speed there is a word of difference in how responsive the laptop is, I wouldn't go buying a laptop just because it has an ssd.
Get a good spec laptop and buy the ssd separately. It's easy swap them and copy every thing from one for the other.
EVO drives are good and Samsung software it simple to use to copy everything on one hard drive to the other.
Check prices for drives here.
https://www.curiua.com/dp/B00P736UEU

Id be more concerned about the graphics card and processor in the laptop.

00sully · 02-01-2016 12:54pm

Don't get a laptop without an SSD it is possibly the single most important component in there regarding visible performance. Also affects heat as in there is less than a regular drive.

128 is small however if you are not gaming you will manage. Can you consider using office online or Google docs instead of MS Office? Can save you 30 gb or so!

Also, you can upgrade the SSD later or use a cheap 128gb USB key as alternate storage in the meantime!

Edit. Assuming all things are equal with your HDD alternative - cpu ram etc...

pavb2 · 02-01-2016 8:11pm

Thanks for the replies I didn't want to buy a laptop and change the HDD for SSD later on. Assuming 128 gb SSD is too small what is the minimum size I should look at and any recommendations.

02-01-2016 10:20pm

pavb2 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies I didn't want to buy a laptop and change the HDD for SSD later on. Assuming 128 gb SSD is too small what is the minimum size I should look at and any recommendations.

I have 256 in mine (and that feels small) and have films and images on external. I would still recommend getting the best spec machine though. You can change your Drive in minutes (and reuse) but are stuck with CPU, motherboard and monitor etc

TotallyEpic · 02-01-2016 10:24pm

256GB is probably the best price:performance right now. Look at the Samsung 850 EVO drives. Might be worth making sure that the laptop actually has a 2.5" bay for drives too, as a lot of recent laptops are forgoing the bay, in favour of an mSATA or M.2 SSD instead.

pavb2 · 02-01-2016 10:27pm

So should I get an I 5, 4gb - 8gb RAM with 500 - 1000 gb HDD and change this for 256 SSD ?

TotallyEpic · 02-01-2016 10:29pm

pavb2 wrote: »

So should I get an I 5, 4gb - 8gb RAM with 500 - 1000 gb HDD and change this for 256 SSD ?

Wouldn't hurt. Definitely get 8GB if you can (although you should be able to do so after the fact, but research the laptop to make sure). You can pick up a cheap, decent 256GB SSD, and then get a cheap external USB 3.0 enclosure on eBay for the hard drive and use it for backup/storage. Some manufacturers will require the original drive to be installed if sending the laptop back for replacement/repairs.

NIMAN · 02-01-2016 10:31pm

What about a hybrid, best of both worlds?

KERSPLAT! · 02-01-2016 10:37pm

You could even buy the laptop with the 500GB HDD, change for an SSD 128/256GB and replace the disc drive with the HDD. That's what I did, 256 SSD and 320 HDD in the laptop now. All movies etc on the HDD and applications, OS etc on the SSD. Perfect, for me at least.

I think in total, for the 256SSD Samsung Evo, an enclosure for cloning and the enclosure to replace the disc drive set me back about €160 give or take. SSDs seem to be getting even cheaper now so you might even do it for €120/130.

I'd struggle to use my laptop again without an SSD, so much faster!

KERSPLAT! · 02-01-2016 10:39pm

NIMAN wrote: »

What about a hybrid, best of both worlds?

Aren't hybrids usually really reallysmall on the SSD side?

NIMAN · 02-01-2016 10:41pm

Probably, maybe you can get one with the biggest possible ssd part?

Even if the OS is stored on that part, it makes a big difference in boot up and some overall running

MarkAnthony · 02-01-2016 11:01pm

Hybrids don't tend to work like that. They cache the most frequently used data on to the SSD element. Some laptops used to come with a micro SSD and a HDD that you could force the OS onto.

OP it really depends what you need. An I3 + 4GB ram is fine for most people. You really only need to be thinking I5 if you've more demanding applications. Also bear in mind many I5 laptop SKUs are actually dual cores. On the SSD side again, are you going to be carrying huge amounts of data? I have a 128GB SSD, i3 and 4GB RAM. I even do some light gaming, speed is never an issue. Capacity meh, 256 would be huge. Hell I've 500 on the desktop and it's a heavy use gaming rig - 20+ games installed, including the massiveness that is GTA5 and I've still go 32GB for over provisioning* and 100GB free.

The massive plus for a ultra low power SSD is battery life, same with the CPU, lowest possible power consumption for your specified need is the way to go IMHO.

*Samsung SSDs are excellent but you have to allocate a portion of the SSD (c.7%) to always be free if you want the best speed and reliability. Other SSD manufacturers may/maynot allocate it in the firmware and not make it user accessible.

drunkmonkey · 02-01-2016 11:35pm

pavb2 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies I didn't want to buy a laptop and change the HDD for SSD later on. Assuming 128 gb SSD is too small what is the minimum size I should look at and any recommendations.

It's about 10 screws, a 7 year old could do it. You'll have everything already on the ssd before you take the bottom lid off the laptop. You'll need a hard drive caddy or any usb external drive.
It's literally a 10 minute job tops once you have the data copied. Don't fear it.

TerrorFirmer · 03-01-2016 12:00am

Why do you need a bigger drive?

If it's just for web, office, email etc, would you really need a 1TB drive?

Personally I think unless you download a lot of movies/tv shows, a 120GB SSD is more than enough for what you've described.

One of my laptops has a 60GB SSD for the uses you've described, and it's more than enough, even downloading the odd film here and there to watch.

03-01-2016 11:23am

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Why do you need a bigger drive?

If it's just for web, office, email etc, would you really need a 1TB drive?

Personally I think unless you download a lot of movies/tv shows, a 120GB SSD is more than enough for what you've described.

One of my laptops has a 60GB SSD for the uses you've described, and it's more than enough, even downloading the odd film here and there to watch.

It's enough, until it's not.
Remember when 75GB was more than you could ever possibly need!?

MarkAnthony · 03-01-2016 6:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's enough, until it's not.
Remember when 75GB was more than you could ever possibly need!?

Honestly it was until porn started coming (snigger) in HD.

TerrorFirmer · 03-01-2016 10:17pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's enough, until it's not.
Remember when 75GB was more than you could ever possibly need!?

I still have a laptop with a 60GB SSD and it's tons of space for the exact same uses as the OP described.

Unless he wants storage space for movies/tv shows, or has ten million word documents, a 120GB SSD will be more than enough.

Typing this from a PC, also used for the same uses, has a 160GB hard drive and there's still 80GB free - 30GB of it is for my fathers music collection, other than that, he just browses the web, uses MS Office, stores work files, that sort of thing.

03-01-2016 10:38pm

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

I still have a laptop with a 60GB SSD and it's tons of space for the exact same uses as the OP described.

Unless he wants storage space for movies/tv shows, or has ten million word documents, a 120GB SSD will be more than enough.

Typing this from a PC, also used for the same uses, has a 160GB hard drive and there's still 80GB free - 30GB of it is for my fathers music collection, other than that, he just browses the web, uses MS Office, stores work files, that sort of thing.

And if he's not using apps or games that demand the SSD response then 30 sec at boot time is an easy trade off Vs a better spec machine

pavb2 · 05-01-2016 6:04pm

http://www.ebuyer.com/720342-lenovo-essential-b50-80-laptop-80ew01akuk

So if I go for that machine and need more space (my music collection is 80gb) should I get a conventional portable HDD or go for an SSD usb?

drunkmonkey · 05-01-2016 7:50pm

Swapping the hard drive is the best route, 500gb here for €135 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016JREG84/?tag=curiua0b-21
and a HP pro book to put it in http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/hp-450-core-i5-5200u-4gb-500gb-windows-10-laptop-p5s40es/version.asp

All for the same money your spending on the Lenovo

pavb2 · 05-01-2016 10:19pm

Thanks DM Do I have to copy Windows from the HDD to the new SSD first for the above option?

drunkmonkey · 05-01-2016 10:34pm

pavb2 wrote: »

Do I have to copy Windows from the HDD to the new SSD first?

Yes but thats simple, you basically turn on you new laptops, update it etc. Then plug you new SSD into a USB port on the laptop, run some software and it makes a complete copy of your hard drive.
To plug in the SSD via USB you'll need a hard drive caddy. If you can borrow or already have any external drive it's basically a hard drive caddy. Just pull out the hard drive that's in it and push in the SSD. When complete just put back in the hard drive that was in the external drive.
This is what a external hard drive looks like on the inside.

Once the software tells you the copy is complete, remove your old hard drive and insert the new one, it simply plugs in and out, it's usually at the bottom of the laptop and covered with a plastic panel. You'll need a philips screwdriver for that bit.
Screw back on panel, turn on Laptop, job complete.
Here's the hard drive in a lenovo

Some times the hard drives have some housing around them that's held in with 4 screws, if that's on it remove it from the old hard drive and just screw onto the new ssd. It just keep the height on the drive correct.
It really is a simple job, I wouldn't be suggesting it if it was any way difficult or thought you could screw up in some way. I just think your over paying to get hard drive with a tiny ssd.

Do you have a laptop at the moment, even changing the hard drive on that could transform it.

pavb2 · 06-01-2016 9:50am

I'm probably going to take DM's advice and go down that route I have a few questions though before I take the plunge.

http://www.ebuyer.com/727817-hp-350-g2-laptop-k9h90ea-abu

Is the above the sane as the laptop suggested by drunk monkey as it's cheaper ?

Does the HP laptop and crucial SSD card represent the best value for money or do I need to shop around still?

To carry out the operation can I buy a caddy with usb to copy from the new laptop to the SSD card my thinking is that I can then use this to house the HDD once I take it out.

What actual files do I copy from the HDD to the SSD?

Thanks for all the help so far.

gn3dr · 07-01-2016 1:11am

I just did this 2 days ago with the Asus i5 Laptop that was on sale in Currys.
I bought a Samsung 250gb SSD, it came with a CD that had the cloning software on it. I also bought a caddy to replace my DVD drive with a hard drive.
Took out my DVD drive, installed the SSD in the caddy to replace this.
Then loaded the Samsung software from an external plug in DVD drive.
The software is really simple and does everything for you.
Once the OS was cloned to the SSD, I then took out my HDD from the laptop, installed the SSD in it's place and installed the 1TB Hdd in the DVD replacement hdd caddy.

SSD is impressive. Really improves boot up time and time to open programs.

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2016 1:28am

pavb2 wrote: »

I'm probably going to take DM's advice and go down that route I have a few questions though before I take the plunge.

http://www.ebuyer.com/727817-hp-350-g2-laptop-k9h90ea-abu

Is the above the sane as the laptop suggested by drunk monkey as it's cheaper ?

Does the HP laptop and crucial SSD card represent the best value for money or do I need to shop around still?

To carry out the operation can I buy a caddy with usb to copy from the new laptop to the SSD card my thinking is that I can then use this to house the HDD once I take it out.

What actual files do I copy from the HDD to the SSD?

Thanks for all the help so far.

There's always laptop deals, wouldn't make any recommendation myself, HP is a good brand though, the Crucial hard drive is cheaper they have good reviews buy i've only used samsung evo drives myself and the samsung software. Search for the hard drives here https://www.curiua.com gives you the cheapest prices across europe from amazon, factor in 10 delivery for everywhere except the UK where deliver is free here, if problem delivering to your address use parcel motel. I recommend you get a samsung evo 850 but all should work and software with them is simple.

as for this question "What actual files do I copy from the HDD to the SSD?"

You don't have to do anything only hit copy, it makes an identical copy of your hard drive, you don't have to select files the software does it all.

I'm don't know what you want to use the laptop for, if it's only surfing the net and music any laptop will do you don't need to go mad spending money.

pavb2 · 07-01-2016 3:20pm

Thinking of getting this Samsung drive as suggested can anyone recommend a caddy to allow me to copy from the HDD and once the SSD is installed hold the original HDD so I can use it As an external drive. I'm going to be keeping the DVD player on the laptop so that type of caddy won't be suitable.

KERSPLAT! · 07-01-2016 3:24pm

Just grab one from eBay, PCworld, etc. Think I paid about €10/15 in PCworld for the external caddy

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2016 4:57pm

Have you an external hard drive?

pavb2 · 07-01-2016 5:41pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Have you an external hard drive?

No not using one at moment wife has a 1 tb one.

Why SSD over HDD

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