When I'm done with this notebook can I use its hard drive for a desktop or new notebook?

[Fardor]

A noob question from a noob

Can I get a new desktop and hook my laptop HDD to it and instantly be able to use it? Maybe I'd need some sort of adapter?

Howbout a new notebook?

Thanks.

 

[Denithor]

There is not an easy yes/no answer for this question.

You can probably get an adapter to use your old drive in a new desktop. Question is, why would you want to? Just pay an extra $10-20 and get a bigger primary drive if you need more storage space.

For use in a new notebook, it depends on whether your old drive is PATA or SATA and what kind of connection your new notebook has. If they have the same connection, yes, you will be able to use it in the new system. Again, though, why?

 

[Fardor]

My stuff is so unorganized that it would be hard to transport everything to a new hard drive.
I might want to look at pictures and print them or stuff like that. Not for storage space.

Mostly just wondering though. I'm kind of weird. To me it would be cool to do that even if it might not be the most efficient way.

 

[Denithor]

If you just want to be able to access your old stuff, get an external USB adapter (about $20-30 at newegg, like the ones from Apricorn) and use it that way. It won't matter if you get a laptop or desktop next, you will have all your old files either way.

 

[Fardor]

Originally posted by: Denithor
If you just want to be able to access your old stuff, get an external USB adapter (about $20-30 at newegg, like the ones from Apricorn) and use it that way. It won't matter if you get a laptop or desktop next, you will have all your old files either way.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Thanks.

 

[Jiggz]

Originally posted by: Fardor
My stuff is so unorganized that it would be hard to transport everything to a new hard drive.
I might want to look at pictures and print them or stuff like that. Not for storage space.

Mostly just wondering though. I'm kind of weird. To me it would be cool to do that even if it might not be the most efficient way.

Maybe it's time to organize and then move data to a desktop hdd. Again, you will still need an external USB or 1394 enclosure for a 2.5" hdd.