Replacing notebook HD with SSD (use HD for internal storage)

A mobile workstation came with 750 GB HD and 32 GB flash cache.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers...tation/5387509

There are two HD bays.
One has the HD in a chassis and the other is empty (no chassis).
The 32 GB SSD is flash cache. It cannot be used for storage.

The configuration was with Windows installed on the HD and the SSD used as flash cache or pseudo RAID 0 configuration.

The HD is SATA 750 RPM (write and read speeds not checked).
The SSD flash cache is PCI bus.

The computer came with 3 year warranty which has expired.

There are HD problems.

There is no room to attach a SSD to the motherboard.

There is one empty bay but there is no chassis to support a second disk drive.

The chassis if available are HP proprietary hardware.
The cost and availability are unknown after several HP calls.

For the 32 GB flash cache.
a) What if any would be the advantage of leaving it attached to the motherboard and continue using it as flash cache with a SSD?
b) What if any would be the disadvantage of leaving it attached to the motherboard and continue using it as flash cache with a SSD?
c) How does a SSD function with a flash cache? No change? Faster? Slower?
Would it typically be faster with the SSD flash cache since it is PCI bus versus SATA?

The Crucial scanner displayed some replacement options.
Their support did not have information on a chassis to secure the SSD in the HD bay.


What are the options to secure the SSD in a notebook HD bay?
Which SSD drive vendors would you consider?
And what have end users used to secure the SSD in a HD bay that currently has no chassis?

I'm not personally familiar with a HP ZBook 17, but the drive carrier is called a caddy. They are available, and inexpensive. Example: Robot Check

Hope this helps.

For the part there was a lot of run around at HP.
They called it a chassis and said that they were on back order.
They suggested contacting CDW or B and H.
CDW had none and suggested contacting HP.
B and H had none.

Today the person at HP said it's called a cradle.
They had none and said it can only be purchased with a drive.

After many calls HP said it's called a Hardware kit.
The hardware kit includes HD bracket and screws.
They gave part # 734280-001 and said that they have no price and that it's on back order.

The link posted for Amazon had no comments on whether the caddy could or couldn't be used for SSD?

Most firms who sell ssd sell a caddy as well for a very cheap price. Normally you don't need a caddy for a laptop it's only needed for PC as it takes bigger sized drives

zbook said:

(snip)

The link posted for Amazon had no comments on whether the caddy could or couldn't be used for SSD?

The form factor for a 2.5" SATA SSD is the same as for a 2.5" spinner, although the thicknesses for both vary. The caddy looks like it mounts the drives using screw holes in the sides of the drives, so the thickness doesn't matter (as long as it's not too thick, which should not be an issue with an SSD).

I believe that the mounting screws are M3. You may be able to source them locally, if none are supplied with the drive or the caddy. If not, Amazon has them. You can get 100 of them for a few dollars.

Samuria said:

Most firms who sell ssd sell a caddy as well for a very cheap price. Normally you don't need a caddy for a laptop it's only needed for PC as it takes bigger sized drives

I've only taken apart a couple of laptops. Both used caddies for 2.5" SATA drives.

For the SSD I've only looked at Micron as they have a scanner.
Acronis I've not used but is free with the drive.
They display the read and write speeds.

I'm considering a 250 or 500 GB SSD.
What factors do you use in the hardware decision making?
Which vendor's have you used?

I planning to get another 5 years of use from the notebook rationalizing the drive addition.
However using a 1 TB SSD is being considered as it seems likely future notebook computers will have extra drive bays.

Assuming that this discussion is about 2.5 HDDs, in my experience they are attached to the laptop chassis using a bracket that is different for each computer model, and normally must be purchased through the OEM.

About the original question, I´d disable the SSD cache and replace the HDD with a 2.5 in SATA SSD --direct replacement, using the bracket that holds the HDD. No need to re-enable the cache.

The system could be migrated to the SSD using one of the known procedures [image or cloning], if the HDD is in good condition. If not, a clean install could be necessary.