Upgrade T400s Hard Drive

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sgmidf · #1 Post by **sgmidf** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:57 pm

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

LegendaryKA8 · #2 Post by **LegendaryKA8** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:45 pm

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

emtee3511 · #3 Post by **emtee3511** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 2:51 pm

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

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 3:28 pm

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.

miscthree · #5 Post by **miscthree** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:30 pm

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.

w0qj · #6 Post by **w0qj** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:08 am

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.

emtee3511 · #7 Post by **emtee3511** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:49 am

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 --

sir_synthsalot · #8 Post by **sir_synthsalot** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:20 am

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.