Are notebook harddrives universal like desktop ide hard drives?

[Ready]

Thinking about getting another hard drive for my dell PIII laptop. Ideally I would like to get one here from the for sale forum or off ebay because most online retailers I goto really gouges u for specific notebook hard drive. Like $130 for a 20 gig from dell. Can I use any notebook hard drive on my dell or does it have to be a specific model?

 

[CraigRT]

all the ones I have replaced have been universal... as long as your laptop is not archaic (which sounds true) then you should be fine... the only problem i can foresee is maybe the BIOS not detetching a huge drive, but thats about it.

 

[addragyn]

They're universal. Just a row of pins.

If you want to work with one in a desktop system you can get a 2.5" > 3.5" adapter. Get two and you can clone.

I buy my drives from Hypermicro. They'restorage specialists and in addition to fair prices they pack things right. Which means your drive will work better, quieter for a longer period of time than say one you get that came loosely packed in a box of foam peanuts.

EDIT: Just noticed they only sell desktop stuff. Never mind.

You can get a lot more drive for your money that 20GB for $120. These are faster 5400rpm units.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-146-032&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-146-022&depa=1

 

[Mday]

There are 2 typical problems with laptop HDDs. First is that some laptops require a special adapter or holder for the HDD (which the HDD it comes with has attached) and are not commonly available items. As such, they are often expensive. Second is that laptop HDDs (2.5") come in 2 heights, one is 12.5mm the other is 9.5mm. Obviously the bigger will not fit into the smaller.

Some other concerns:
Some drives use more power, that means decreased battery life.
Some drives generate more heat, that means your system gets hotter.

 

[cy7878]

Originally posted by: Mday
There are 2 typical problems with laptop HDDs. First is that some laptops require a special adapter or holder for the HDD (which the HDD it comes with has attached) and are not commonly available items. As such, they are often expensive. Second is that laptop HDDs (2.5") come in 2 heights, one is 12.5mm the other is 9.5mm. Obviously the bigger will not fit into the smaller.

Some other concerns:
Some drives use more power, that means decreased battery life.
Some drives generate more heat, that means your system gets hotter.

Not usually a problem when you remove an old one and replace it with new.

 

[cy7878]

Originally posted by: Ready
Thinking about getting another hard drive for my dell PIII laptop. Ideally I would like to get one here from the for sale forum or off ebay because most online retailers I goto really gouges u for specific notebook hard drive. Like $130 for a 20 gig from dell. Can I use any notebook hard drive on my dell or does it have to be a specific model?

It helps if you post the model of your Dell.

I last upgraded a Dell Inspiron 7500. The HDD door is opened by a simple screw. The HDD pulls right out. New drive is easily fitted where the old one was.

 

[Abhi]

AKAIK, as long as you have the drive adapter, any notebook HDD will work on your Dell..