Which SSD fits in my notebook? What you need to consider before buying

If you are asking yourself the question “Which SSD fits in my laptop?”, you can usually answer it yourself once you have found out what ports your device has and what your storage needs are.

Which SSD will fit my laptop? You have this choice

If you want to increase the storage space of your notebook, you can often install an additional SSD (Solid State Drive). You can choose between different types of solid state drives.

• There are various interfaces that are used to connect the SSD to the notebook. The two most important are SATA and PCIe. The latter ensures a much faster data exchange. Check the specifications of your notebook to determine the correct interface.

• In addition to the interface, you also need to consider the form factor of the SSD. The two most important are 2.5 ” SSDs and M.2 SSDs. The former are installed in the notebook via a SATA connection, the latter have their own connection.

• Before you decide on an SSD, you need to find out which type you can install in your notebook. Check the manual of your device to see which interfaces it has. Alternatively, you can also look on the mainboard for the appropriate connections.
• You can recognise the connection for an M.2 SSD by a row of pins that is interrupted by a notch. Often the designation M.2 or SSD is also attached to the corresponding location.

• If your laptop already had an HDD installed, it is attached to a SATA connector.

Which SSD is the right one?

If you know the connections of your notebook, you can start looking for the right SSD. Both SATA SSDs and M.2 SSDs have their advantages.

• If your notebook only allows you to install one of the two types, you don’t have to worry about this. It is important to know, however, that both SATA and M.2 SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs, so it is usually worth upgrading in both cases.

• If you have the choice between a SATA and an M.2 SSD, you should know that the latter can work much faster. Installation is also often easier, at least if you can reach the slot easily.

• 2.5 ” SATA SSDs are, however, significantly cheaper than their M.2 counterparts with the same storage space and can therefore be well worthwhile, especially as storage for large amounts of data.

• If you use your notebook to edit photos, videos or large amounts of data in general, an M.2 SSD will offer you faster performance.

• If, on the other hand, you use your SSD primarily as a storage location for various files, a SATA SSD will also suffice in most cases.

Things to consider when installing

Once you have decided on a suitable SSD, all you have to do is install it in your notebook. There are a few important points to bear in mind.

• If you work on your notebook by yourself, you should always pay attention to the manufacturer’s warranty conditions so as not to lose the warranty.

• If you want to replace your old HDD with a new SSD, you must first clone the HDD to your SSD. Especially with SATA SSDs, it may be necessary to remove your old HDD, as both connect to the notebook via the same type of connector.

• Once you have cloned your HDD, you can connect your 2.5 ” SSD.

• Installing an M.2 SSD is usually easier. If your notebook has a suitable space for this type of SSD, you can simply plug the hard drive into the port provided.

• M.2 SSDs can basically be of different sizes. Mostly, however, they are hard drives with the dimensions 22 mm by 80 mm (2280 format). The correct markings for mounting them in the notebook can usually be found on the mainboard.

• After you have plugged in the M.2 SSD, you only have to fix it with the matching and already attached screw.

• Since there is not much space in notebooks, you have to work in a confined space when inserting them. Therefore, be careful not to lose the small screw that fixes it in place.
• In order for your notebook to boot via the SSD, you usually have to make it bootable.