Although today it is much easier to find an affordable laptop equipped with SSDs, most notebooks still mount the traditional hard disk, with a lot of space available, but with insufficient, if not pitiful, performance. As already explained several times, the main difference between SSD and hard disk, besides being different from a technical point of view, is the speed of reading and writing which in the case of solid state drives SSD is enormously faster.
GLi SSDs, (usually) based on NAND flash memory, are also more stable and more resistant, because the moving mechanical parts that characterize the hard disk are missing.
To have a comparison, you can think that a computer with SSD can start at the same speed with which a tablet is turned on, which is unthinkable if there is a hard disk that instead takes at least a minute to load Windows and all programs.
It is therefore really worth adding an SSD to the laptop, which can be done in two ways: by placing it in place of the DVD player or by replacing the internal hard disk .
We have already written a guide on how to replace the hard disk with an SSD, which is very easy to do on a desktop PC, much less simple on a laptop.
The problem with laptops is that, depending on the brand and model, they are all different, with different construction, with different joints and pieces that cannot always be changed.
In this article we are going to make a general discussion on the possibilities, real and real, that we have to add the SSD to the laptop and make it become super fast.
In particular we see how to replace the hard disk with an SSD or even add the SSD by putting it in place of the DVD player, without therefore disassembling the hard disk in use.
Before proceeding with this DIY work, however, you must do another Google search to be sure that you can (easily) disassemble the hard disk on the model of laptop in use.
READ ALSO: How to replace the laptop disk with a new SSD
If there is the possibility of easily disassembling the laptop hard disk by opening the compartment closed by screws, then it is possible to insert a much faster SSD in its place.
If your computer has a DVD player, which you certainly use very little, then it is worth leaving the hard disk where it is mounted instead of the CD / DVD Rom, the SSD drive.
Note that in the first case, if you replace the hard disk, you will need to reinstall Windows on the SSD or restore the backup saved on an external disk.
In this regard, I recommend using one of the best free backup programs.
Using a SATA USB adapter, before making the replacement it will be possible to clone the hard disk on the new SSD connected as if it were an external disk, so you can start the PC directly after making the change.
In the case of an SSD mounted in place of the DVD player, then you can work as you would on a desktop PC, move Windows to SSD without reinstalling everything, keeping the hard disk as a data storage disk (while on the SSD we put the operating system and programs).
For a laptop, any of the best SSDs on sale is fine, as long as it is the right size (usually 2.5 inches or thin M.2), with compatible connection (usually SATA or PCIe).
To find out this information, you can open the hard disk compartment on the laptop, or search the internet for technical information for the model.
To perform the work it is recommended to buy the screwdriver kit to work on PC, which on Amazon is complete for 10 Euros.
Since laptops differ greatly in construction, it is difficult here to provide a step-by-step explanation that is complete and specific.
In general, the work should be very simple, just unscrew the cover, unhook the hard disk from its attachment, connect the SSD unit, screw it back on and close again.
On some portable PCs this operation is as easy as described, in others however there may be delicate joints or complicated housings to remove.
In these cases you can search for a tutorial on Youtube or you may need to contact an expert technician if you really don't feel confident.
While replacing the disc is rather easy, it can be more complicated to add an SSD instead of the DVD player, keeping the hard drive in place.
While the replacement job is pretty much the same, an adapter called a caddy is required to replace the DVD drive with an internal SSD drive.
The DVD Caddy is a case that has the same shape as a CD ROM drive, in which to insert the SSD disk.
The good news is that even though laptops are all built differently, 99% of the DVD drive is of the same type, with the same shape, size, connections and attachments.
For this reason you can buy a generic 10 Euro caddy on Amazon that should work for almost every laptop model with DVD ROM.
The assembly therefore becomes rather simple to do and you will get a very fast laptop with double disk in which to save data.
The detached DVD player can be used as an external drive, buying a SATA-USB adapter when the burner is needed.
