Yet Another Hard-Drive Upgrade Question

[Ragtopgeek]

I need to add more hard-disk space to my T60p (currently have Hitachi 7K100, Model# HTS721010G9SA00, SATA). I've researched doing this, including this forum, and can't decide whether I want to:
1. Replace drive with new drive and use the migration tools (external hard-drive enclosure, migration software, etc).
2. Keep existing drive and add additional ultra-bay hard-drive via adapter.

I would like to increase my total to between 300-500gb at 7200rpm.

My number one concern is the time it takes should be minimal as well as the procedure being "easier" (I'm a software professional who's working ridiculous hours, but a dunce at "computer stuff" such as this hard-drive migration/conversion/addition).

These are my other related questions:
1. I believe I have an earlier SATA version, so can I use the latest/greatest SATA drives?
2. Depending on which way I go (new hard-drive versus ultra-bay addition), are particular drives better suited than others? (Seagate, Hitachi, WD, etc).
3. If the ultrabay option is the way to go, will the disk space be transparently available (no separate mounting, partitions, shared-drive, etc) to my applications (eg - VMWare image grows and needs more space).

Thanks so much for you sage advice,
Ragtopgeek.

[AIX]

1. the answer is yes
2. it's hard to say (I just bought a Seagate 7200.4 250GB drive, because I found a nice deal)
3. I will not go the ultrabay way if I were you; keep in mind that the current HDD generation is much faster than your old 7K100 drive (current generation has higher density => faster drives, for example). If you want a fast system, then replace your drive. If you want just only more storage and no other hassle then you can go the ultrabay way (but the disk space will not be transparently available to your applications!).

[billp117]

You will be most pleased migrating to a 7200 RPM, 500GB drive. Seagate and Hitachi are fine...Seagate has free software at www.seagate.com. You can find these drives at Newegg and Fry's for very low prices.

That said...have you given consideration to doing a fresh install of Windows 7? Adding another drive is the least desireable solution IMHO.

Good luck with your update.

[Ragtopgeek]

Thanks for the great advice you guys!

Looks like getting a new Seagate 7200 500gb to replace my current drive is the way I'll be going.

Thanks again,
R.

[AIX]

Ragtogeek, maybe you may want to read this.

[ZaZ]

If you don't mind paying a bit more, the Momentus XT could be worth consideration.

[jetmn]

I vote for the Hitachi 7k500. Totally silent and very fast. They aren't as easy to get as the Seagate though, I got mine from Microcenter.

[Worzyl]

If you don't mind paying a bit more, the Momentus XT could be worth consideration.

I've read something positive reviews about this HDD(apart from some of them being a little more noisy). But they seem very difficult to find at the moment.

Think I'll get one myself.