Possible to install SSD HD on new x230 with existing platter

[UnoBob]

Hello All,

I recently purchased an x230 with the following specs:

Processor Intel Core i7-3520M on MB
Operating system Windows 7 Professional 64
Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Hard drive 500GB HDD 7200rpm
Battery 9cell, ThinkPad Battery X44++
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 w/ antenna
WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300
Wireless WAN accessories Mobile Broadband upgradable
Display Panel X230 12.5HD Premium WW 3x3 NC
Keyboard Language KYB (Backlit) US English
Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode W7 XP Mode English
Option / Smart Card Reader 2 NONE
Option / USB Modem 2 NONE
Reserved Char 1 NONE
SIM Card for WWAN 2 NONE
Storage Adapter No Micro Solid State Drive
System Unit X230 Intel i7-3520M
Ultrabay slim options NONE

--

I will be upgrading the RAM to 16GB (2 DIMM). I am planning to use this machine for landscape architecture designs and will be running programs such as AutoCAD, 3ds Max, GIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Rhino (often simultaneously).

After doing a little research, it seems like if would be wise to run these programs from a solid state hard drive.

I'm wondering if it is possible to install a solid state drive on my X230 in addition to my factory-installed 500GB hard drive. I've read about people doing this on T series machines, but I'm unclear as to whether this will work on an x230. Also, if it is possible, how difficult is it, considering I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to installing actual hardware? (I've installed RAM and graphics cards on a Desktop, but that's it). Assuming it's possible, would it be wiser to have a PC repair service install the solid state drive instead?

Also, since the machine will be shipping with Windows already installed, do I need to create a disk image of Windows on a USB (no optical drive on the x230), uninstall windows, install the solid state drive, and then re-install windows and all my other software onto the solid state drive? Would this be the "clean install" I have been reading about on this forum and others?

Has anyone had any success or failures doing this on the x230? Any brand/models of solid state drives they can recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help and expertise!

-Dave

[rsutoratosu]

Yes, you can install a msata SSD, just change the boot order to this.

ie
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs. ... T128M4SSD3
or
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs. ... T256M4SSD3

You can actually image the 500gb into the 256 or whatever else you get or create the recovery CD and install it directly on to the new ssd. It will be "clean" install.

[UnoBob]

Thanks!