HDD/SSD power draw

[vharunsiva]

Pretty much, I'm looking to upgrade my laptop which currently only has a 1TB HDD which is becoming painfully slow in comparison to the new SSDs and the laptop I own also has an m.2 drive whilst the HDD is currently in a SATA port but I'm concerned about battery life.

Basically, I'm wondering whether to have both the HDD and an SSD or just the SSD depending on its effect on my battery life.

 

[Barty1884]

A typical HDD (5400-7200rpm) 2.5" form-factor will draw about 15W peak, whereas a 2.5" SSD would draw probably nearer 10W.

I believe an M.2 SATA drive would consume very, very similar.... if not less.

So, with an SSD as your primary, let's assume it'll run at "peak" power draw, consistently (it won't).
Then, your HDD would be secondary (assuming bulk storage?), never really hitting it's "peak"

All-in, the power draw of an SSD peak + minimal HDD should be near equal an HDD running at it's "peak" power draw alone.