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quick HD compatibility question

K

krill

Junior Member
Hi! I have a quick (newb) question on HD compatibility I need to know before I make a purchase.

I have: one desktop mobo that can do SATA, and one laptop mobo that can do SATA.

I want to buy a new SATA HD that I can use in the desktop until Q4 / new SSD's come out in a few months, then move that 'new' HD to the laptop, and buy a new SSD for the desktop at that later time (around Q4).

Can I connect a laptop SATA HD to the desktop, and will it be compatible? Or is there a different form factor for the connectors or anything else that would not allow me to buy a laptop SATA HD, use it in the desktop for a few months, and then swap it into the laptop?

I was thinking about either buying a cheap regular SATA laptop HD, or a Seagate Momentus XT http://www.anandtech.com/show/3734/seagates-momentus-xt-review-finally-a-good-hybrid-hdd to use in the desktop, and later move to the laptop.

I'm just a little confused, because the Momentus XT is listed as a "laptop HD," so I couldn't figure out if that meant you couldn't use it in the desktop for some reason (like different size connectors/cables or something)?

I think I remember seeing laptop HD's that didn't use cables and kind of just "plugged in" to the laptop mobo, so that would kind of foobar the idea of using it in a desktop.

Thanks for helping out with a complete newb question = )

THANK YOU!!
 
I am using laptop HDs in my desktop systems. Laptop SATA HDs have the same connectors that 3.5" SATA HDs do.
 
SATA notebook hard drives can definitely be used in desktop PCs. I have an Intel-built SFF computer which will only work with a laptop hard drive. It uses a Seagate Momentus and the disk connects with standard SATA data and power connectors.

Notebook hard drives have traditionally been as slow as snails, but it appears that recent higher-RPM and higher-capacity disks have performance in the same ballpark as standard desktop disks.
 
hey guys - thanks for the confirmation that "everything's gonna be OK" = )

As a follow-up, I just ordered a Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD3200BEVT to tide me over until Q4 SSD's are out. I know it's not the fastest out there, but at $43 shipped at newegg (weekend special), I figure it's got to be a LOT better than the 6 year old IDE drive I'm still sputtering around on = )

thanks again!!
 
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