Thinkpads Forum

My plans to upgrade my wife's T400s 250GB hard drive and clean install 64bit Win 7 were thrown out the window when I discovered it to be a 1.8" not a 2.5" drive. I've started looking and haven't seen a lot to replace it (I upped my 2.5" X61s to 500GB..sigh). Can anyone tell me my best options, short of a new machine?
Thanks

Unfortunately, especially with platter drives the 1.8" form factor is kinda limited; the largest drive I've heard of is 320GB, and I'm having a difficult time finding one. You could go the SSD route, but the largest I've seen in 1.8" is 256GB, and they're generally quite expensive.

I found a 320GB drive here for about $155: http://www.provantage.com/toshiba-mk323 ... OSD090.htm

I've purchased both the 128gb and the 256gb SSD from Isaac, and the price is pretty reasonable (especially the 256gb) -- http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=91104

If all you really need is more space, then the 256gb won't work for you -- but if you are looking for an awesome upgrade, then SSD if the way to go

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you add an SATA drive of any capacity to a T400s using an Ultrabay adapter? Maybe put the current drive in an Ultrabay adapter 'and' get an SSD for the main boot drive.

Harryc wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you add an SATA drive of any capacity to a T400s using an Ultrabay adapter? Maybe put the current drive in an Ultrabay adapter 'and' get an SSD for the main boot drive.

Yes you can. You will need a 1.8" to 2.5" adapter/casing along with the drive and ultrabay adapter.

Will the Active Protection System protect the regular 2.5" hard drive (or 1.8" hard drive in 2.5" SATA adapter) from shocks?
When I used my old T42, I've heard from this forum that the Active Protection System back then does not protect Ultrabay hard drives.

1.8" hard drive for T410s/T420s is exactly why I'm avoiding these.
For more hard drive upgrade choices (and cheaper too), consider the slightly thicker T410/T420.

Personally, I would seriously consider T410s/T420s if only it had used 2.5" hard drives.

I'm not sure (my experience only) it seems if you're looking for SSD hard drive, the 1.8" SSD's are easier to find and also easier to find at best prices -- I have purchased SSD's for most of my ThinkPads, and a few purchased are 2.5" -- more than a few purchased are 1.8" because those drives had the best prices when I was shopping (both Forum and ebay) --

The newmodeus ad at the top of Forum pages will lead you to the 1.8" to 2.5" SSD case/adapter. Also Brad on this Forum carries these adapters (probably others do too.) Even when factoring in the extra cost of the case/adapter, the flexibility of searching for either 1.8" or 2.5" has lowered my total purchase price --

I agree that if I had to look for only 1.8", it would limit my choices, but when searching specifically for SSD's the 1.8" seem to be priced a bit lower -- again, only my limited experience --

I'm finding it's the opposite - 1.8 SSD drives are more expensive.

Another disadvantage of the 1.8 form factor is if you decide to stay with a mechanical drive they are a lot slower than 2.5 drives.