can i add an ssd?

[mas7873]

So I want to add an ssd in my laptop to help it run faster and boot fast since I use it for school. I have an HP Pavilion 17" laptop, the model with 12gb of ram and 1tb hdd. I would post the exact model but I'm writing this from my phone so I'm not sure the exact model name, I'm wondering though if there is a 2nd drive bay in this laptop that would allow me to install a ssd.

Thanks in advance

 

[bootcher]

You really need to get the model make/number, otherwise it is just a guess.

 

[atmos929]

We certainly need the model in order to look for the specs.

Your other option could be exchanging the HDD for an SDD... provided you are ok with budget and capacity. You could even attempt cloning your HDD into the SDD so that you only have to exchange them and no need for reinstalling windows.

 

[avarice]

fundamentally you could always swap out the HDD for an SSD - this would of course either limit your storage capability or increase the cost of the SSD for a 1TB.

A samsung EVO 840 1TB would run you about $440.

The nice thing about replacing your HDD with an SSD is it makes everything you do on the laptop faster. I did this with my wifes' netbook and it took a useless peice of tech into a usefull peice of tech.

Back to your original question - find the model number and search the manufacturers website for details. If you have a second bay (possible) you could do this - otherwise consider a full replacement. Either way the SSD should be your boot drive.

 

[bootcher]

Another viable option is to get a SSD to replace your current harddrive, and get a usb kit for your current harddrive. That way you can hook up your existing harddrive through USB and still have a larger drive for other files.

 

[mas7873]

The laptop is the hp pavilion 17-f184ca , a 1tb ssd or 500gb is out of my budget, I may be able to get a 250gb ssd to replace my hdd as I only use the computer for school not gaming. How ever if possible I'd like both an ssd and hdd

 

[bootcher]

As far as I know the F series pavilions come only with 1 slot for harddrive/ssd, so you can not add a 2nd drive. So you can replace the harddrive by a SSD. If you want you can get an USB kit for your 'old' harddrive and still be able to use it. Instead of only a SSD you might consider a hybrid SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#t=1&sort=a10&f=3.

 

[mas7873]

As far as I know the F series pavilions come only with 1 slot for harddrive/ssd, so you can not add a 2nd drive. So you can replace the harddrive by a SSD. If you want you can get an USB kit for your 'old' harddrive and still be able to use it. Instead of only a SSD you might consider a hybrid SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#t=1&sort=a10&f=3.

I will either try to get a hybrid or just use a 250gb SSD. Like I said I just would like to be able to boot and sign on within seconds as it makes it much easier for school since I'm turning my laptop on/off every class. And I don't need a ton of space since I already have a gaming PC. I just use it to access online textbooks, and to write code.

EDIT
I see most hybrid drive only contain approx. 8gb of SSD cache. This doesn't seem like much for an OS, I think I'd be better off with a 250gb SSD.

 

[bootcher]

As far as I know the F series pavilions come only with 1 slot for harddrive/ssd, so you can not add a 2nd drive. So you can replace the harddrive by a SSD. If you want you can get an USB kit for your 'old' harddrive and still be able to use it. Instead of only a SSD you might consider a hybrid SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#t=1&sort=a10&f=3.

I will either try to get a hybrid or just use a 250gb SSD. Like I said I just would like to be able to boot and sign on within seconds as it makes it much easier for school since I'm turning my laptop on/off every class. And I don't need a ton of space since I already have a gaming PC. I just use it to access online textbooks, and to write code.

EDIT
I see most hybrid drive only contain approx. 8gb of SSD cache. This doesn't seem like much for an OS, I think I'd be better off with a 250gb SSD.

The Western Digital hybrid (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1001x06xdtl) has 120gb SSD.

 

[mas7873]

As far as I know the F series pavilions come only with 1 slot for harddrive/ssd, so you can not add a 2nd drive. So you can replace the harddrive by a SSD. If you want you can get an USB kit for your 'old' harddrive and still be able to use it. Instead of only a SSD you might consider a hybrid SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#t=1&sort=a10&f=3.

I will either try to get a hybrid or just use a 250gb SSD. Like I said I just would like to be able to boot and sign on within seconds as it makes it much easier for school since I'm turning my laptop on/off every class. And I don't need a ton of space since I already have a gaming PC. I just use it to access online textbooks, and to write code.

EDIT
I see most hybrid drive only contain approx. 8gb of SSD cache. This doesn't seem like much for an OS, I think I'd be better off with a 250gb SSD.

The Western Digital hybrid (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1001x06xdtl) has 120gb SSD.

I saw that but my budget right now for a drive is more like $120, as I just hoped to make it faster. Meanwhile, I'm working on updates to my main rig as well haha

Thanks for the help