Computers & Networking

[DKM1991]

If I buy any random internal drive, will it fit into my laptop? I have an HP Pavilion DV6500 Vista Limited Edition. What type of internal drive should get?

[Rrrrrrr]

All laptops use a 2.5" drive now. Newer ones use sata drives. Older use IDE. Pretty sure anything made within the last 2 yrs is sata.

[hootnholla]

This is 100% correct.  From my own experience.  I have always built my own computers BTW.

The important part about buying a HD, is to make sure it is of good quality with great customer support.  Don't just buy a random HD.  The HD is the BRAINS of your computer(The processor being the HEART ) .

WHY?  Because HD's have the tendicy to be DOA or Dead on Arrival.  I have purchased cheaper HDs and they have failed....after all that hard work installing my software. 

Personally, I wouldn't go with anything other than Western Digital.   

[Noob]

Yea I would definately go with Western Digital too, just because every PC I build uses a WD and works.  I recently purchased a WD hard drive, and it was the first time I received one DOA.  But it happens, just return it.

I hear good things from some friends about Seagate.

[Aryq46254]

Not to sound like a broken record, but here's another "me too" post for Western Digital.  They are all I use anymore for desktop drives.  Between my desktop computer and my file server, I have four WD drives that are all new within the past year.  Very cool running, and quiet.  My roommate has, let me think... 4 WD drives between his desktop and file server, as well.  Now, he did have one come DOA, but that can happen with *any* manufacturer.  It was promptly replaced with a new drive which was perfectly fine.

When I go to replace/upgrade my HDD in my new laptop, I will surely be going with Western Digital.  The two-platter 500gb Scorpio Blue drive is supposed to be exceptionally quie, cool and *fast* -- from the reviews I have been reading.  (Although unfortunately WAY over-priced at Best Buy... so shop around!)

Best of luck...

--Eric

[Entropy]

Unfortunately, hard drive manufacturers come and go in quality.

Back when I was in high school, WD was horrible reliability wise.  IBM was king of reliability.

A few short years later, the Deathstar fiasco happened and IBM was no longer king of reliability or even close to it.  Seagate was king around then.

Starting 1-2 years ago Seagate started going downhill, and WD has been doing very well lately.

Anything that was sold with Vista will be SATA, so any 2.5" SATA drive should fit.  Beyond that you need to determine what capacity and speed you want.  A 7200 RPM drive will provide a much "snappier" system than a 5400 RPM drive, but will use a lot more power.