Solved HDD to SSD upgrade, computer compatibility?

[moneybagman]

Hey there, my HDD decided to take a dump and it is not time for me to get a Hard Drive, but instead of risking another horrible incident losing over 250 gigs and 2+ years of applications and irreplaceable java programs and html pages, I decided I wanted to go with a SSD. Only problem being, I'm not exactly sure if I'm doing the right thing here as far as choosing the right SSD (It's my first time upgrading anything for my laptop).

I have a Dell Inspiron 15r (n5110) with a i5 core and as of right now, (soon to be 8gb) 4gb of RAM and Windows Ultimate x64.

Can't really look up my personal specs cause of my computer being unable to startup from a lack of Hard Drive, but if any other information is needed I might be able to grab it.

I was thinking about purchasing a SanDisk Extreme 240 GB, Internal SSD from here but I wanted to make sure that my system was compatible in the first place before I go and spend 100+ dollars. I did some research, but I wanted to confirm it with the experts here before I make my final decision.

Thanks for reading,
moneybagman

 

[FerchogtX]

SSD's are supposed to go exactly as a normal HDD would, So your PC may recognize it as well unless it is pretty old. They even come with the same SATA connectos for both power and data, so I don't think you will have problems.

See ya!!

 

[Zepher]

That drive will work for you and it will make the machine pretty peppy as well.

You need to start backing up your important data to another drive as well as to either a cloud based service or to a third hard drive that you store offsite, like in a banks safe deposit box.
All hard drives and SSD's will eventually fail and there is the possibility of a computer malfunction that can corrupt the data or damage the hard drive as well so always backup your irreplaceable stuff.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That is a major rip-off price for that Sandisk---$400 for 240 GB.

That very drive is at Newegg today for $239.99:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171568

You can get highly regarded Samsung, Intel, or Crucial brand SSDs in the 240 GB to 256 GB size range for $199 to $260 or so at Newegg right now.

I'd probably get the Samsung which is $198.99.

 

[Zepher]

That is a major rip-off price for that Sandisk---$400 for 240 GB.

That very drive is at Newegg today for $239.99:

Newegg.com - SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-240G-G25 2.5" 240GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

You can get highly regarded Samsung, Intel, or Crucial brand SSDs in the 240 GB to 256 GB size range for $199 to $260 or so at Newegg right now.

I'd probably get the Samsung which is $198.99.

It's $170 at amazon,
Amazon.com: SanDisk Extreme SSD 240 GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SDSSDX-240G-G25: Computers & Accessories

It was $150 a few hours ago.

 

[DeaconFrost]

There isn't really much to consider in the way of compatibility. That's a very recent laptop (my wife has the same one), and all that really matters is, can you access the hard drive, and does it use SATA ports. Yes is the answer to both. You would be hard-pessed to find a laptop using IDE hard drives anymore, running a modern OS like Windows 7. A very quick search online would also show that you have an SATA drive in it. I haven't swapped her drive out to an SSD yet, but it should be easily accessible. You can find those instructions with a quick search as well.