Dell Vostro 3400 Laptop - Upgrade options

[rob-081]

Hi Everyone -

I have a Dell Vostro 3400 Laptop with motherboard model# 07MJFM with 2GB ram and 240GB hard drive running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. And I want to keep the OS. Some of the specs are listed below.

What are my options for upgrading? Initially I am thinking SSDs. Will an SSD run at 3GB/s or will I get the full benefit of 6GB/s? Will I need some type of adapter? If adapter's unavailable then, is there a docking station that would serve my purpose. The laptop is for business use and I have to encrypt everything even the OS using Truecrypt. Please advise. Thank you.

------------------Overview------------------
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 370 @ 2.40GHz
Memory : 1910MB(1333)
Mother Board : 07MJFM
Windows Version : Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1
Monitor : Generic PnP Monitor
Video Adapter : Intel(R) HD Graphics
Mouse : Dell Touchpad
Keyboard : USB Human Interface Device
Disk Drive : WDC WD2500BEKT-75A25T0(232GB,IDE)
DVD/CD-ROM Drive : PLDS DVD+-RW DS-8A5SH

 

[volksman]

I've upgraded a ton of these. You will be stuck at sata I speeds, but any Sata II or Sata III ssd will work fine with it. You will be capped at somewhere from 150-187MBps, but this will be much, much faster than the regular HD you have now. If you are doing truecrypt, get the SSD.

There are no docking stations like the Latitude line that work with the Vostro line, you would have to go with a USB based dock, which I have had issues with in the past. I would avoid that route.

The service manual for this laptop is here: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_vostro_notebook/vostro-3400_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

 

[rob-081]

Awesome Awesome! Awesome! Thank you very much Volksman.... (I thought those manuals extinct.) I appreciate your help!

I've upgraded a ton of these. You will be stuck at sata I speeds, but any Sata II or Sata III ssd will work fine with it. You will be capped at somewhere from 150-187MBps, but this will be much, much faster than the regular HD you have now. If you are doing truecrypt, get the SSD.

There are no docking stations like the Latitude line that work with the Vostro line, you would have to go with a USB based dock, which I have had issues with in the past. I would avoid that route.

The service manual for this laptop is here: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_vostro_notebook/vostro-3400_service%20manual_en-us.pdf