Replacement netbook drive recommendations

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
Posts
16,722
Looking to replace the standard 160GB drive in my Samsung N110 with something larger, probably 320GB.

Anyone have any recommendations or things I should look out for or are all drives pretty "much of a muchness"?

I realise I need to stick to a 5400rpm drive for heat and power consumption issues - that's not a problem as it's space I need, not outright performance. Needs to be quiet too - don't want to hear it drumming away all the time.

Was very interested in the WD Scorpio Blue 320GB that's on TWO offer atm: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-348-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=896 Is this a good bet?

Thanks for any advice :)
 
When I started to read this thread I immediately thought of the WD Scorpio and then seen your link at the end :D That's where my money would be going. Great drives and on offer too at the moment. See what others say...
 
Cheers. Just been doing some googling and realised that the newer drives (of which the above is one) use the Advanced Format system, which looks like it could cause me grief if I stick with Windows XP. Not entirely sure whether to stick with XP atm or move to 7.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Just been doing some googling and realised that the newer drives (of which the above is one) use the Advanced Format system, which looks like it could cause me grief if I stick with Windows XP
Click to expand...

You either set a jumper on the drive or use the advanced format utility to get around this mate if your sticking with XP so don't let that put you off. More info below...

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/advancedformat/
 
Hmm, had a read and the jumper is only present on 3.5" drives, meaning I'd have to use their WD Align utility if I stayed on XP. That's a factor for me as I don't like using "mapping" utilities like that. TBH I'd most likely move to 7 anyway so doubt it'd be a problem.

I have, however, been reading a few reports that the power consumption of the Scorpio Blues isn't quite as low as some of the competitors or even what WD's own numbers suggest. I don't know how much effect the differences would have in reality but one thing I definitely don't want is to affect the awesome battery life of the N110 to any appreciable degree.
 
Wasn't aware that the jumper is only present on the 3.5" drives so good to know. Only other drive I would consider for a netbook/laptop would be Samsung. Before upgrading your HDD but you need to decide if you want to make the jump to Windows 7. If I were you I would install the new HDD and Windows 7 all at the same time. Will feel like a brand new machine and Windows 7 has several power management features that XP doesn't have to help you get even more out of your battery.

Here's another option...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-091-SA&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=896
 
Last edited:
TBH it's not just the extra space that's making me want a new disc but also because, if I move to Windows 7, I can just put the old drive in a safe place somewhere complete with the original XP install and recovery partition. If I wipe the original disc to put 7 on there and then find I want to go back then I could well have issues with the recovery system Samsung use. Just makes sense to get a new disc for 7, I'm just not 100% sure how well it'll run on the N110.

Funnily enough, the Samsung HM321HI is the other drive I was considering :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom