Add a ssd to my laptop

[ionataan]

Hi I have an asus k501l laptop with an 1 tb hdd, and I want to know If I can add an extra ssd, with the possibility to keep the old hdd?

 

[Herc08]

If you only have one slot, then no. I would recommend to put the SSD inside of the lpatop, and then use an hard drive enclosure and grab data from the old HDD.

 

[The Paladin]

your user manual is showing here that you can only have one HDD in that laptop
https/www.manualslib.com/manual/1065403/Asus-E402ma.html?page=86#manual

to answer your question you would have to get an SSD that can contain your current information (ie clone info to it) and replace your current hdd.

 

[elbert]

If you dont have an M.2 ssd with the laptop you can add one. If you want to add a 2.5 inch ssd you could move your 1TB HD to a USB external encloser.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232053&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Hard+Drive+Adapters-_-N82E16812232053&gclid=COWN_vHNztACFVU7gQoddP4GCw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[photonboy]

If you dont have an M.2 ssd with the laptop you can add one. If you want to add a 2.5 inch ssd you could move your 1TB HD to a USB external encloser.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232053&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Hard+Drive+Adapters-_-N82E16812232053&gclid=COWN_vHNztACFVU7gQoddP4GCw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Huh?
Why are you talking about M.2 here? Is it an option?
(if so, I'd still go with a 2.5" SSD if it's cheaper)

I know my bro-in-law has the option of M.2 as well but he has to BUY an adapter from the manufacturer and it still goes in the same spot as the 2.5" drive. For almost no extra cost they could have put in both, but NOO.

My bro-in-law had an old laptop die and he had to decide whether to keep the SSD or HDD but he kept the HDD due to lack of space.

It really depends how much SPACE you need. SSD's are getting fairly cheap, but it's still $80+ for a reasonably good 256GB SSD.

We also did some testing, and while it makes bootup slightly faster and some programs launch a bit faster it can be hard to recommend spending the money JUST to be a bit faster.

(If you do decide on an SSD still, then as said you can get a USB enclosure. I'd do that, then use a program like Acronis True Image to backup your SSD to the HDD.)

 

[photonboy]

All the links I've found only show a single, 2.5" drive bay and no M.2 connector option.

This: http/www.insidemylaptop.com/disassemble-asus-k-series-notebook/

A video: https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtkEm7XXNjo

If buying SSD:

1. BUY (examples):
480GB, $110USD http/pcpartpicker.com/product/JFJwrH/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhii480gg25
250GB, $75USD http/pcpartpicker.com/product/3kL7YJ/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e250bam

Most SSD's are fairly reliable, but do a little research anyway. If you don't need more than 200GB then I'd get the Samsung EVO.

2. BUY USB-> Sata enclosure (check customer feedback, some are crappy)
https/www.amazon.com/Inateck-Enclosure-Optimized-Tool-Free-FE2010/dp/B01FQ5R0PG/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1480452939&sr=8-13&keywords=usb+2.5%22+enclosure&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

3. Attach SSD to USB enclosure

4. TEST the SSD
a) install Samsung Magician (Samsung SSD) or the applicable software for the SSD
b) Overprovision
c) run tests
d) update FIRMWARE for SSD if it exists (Samsung Magician can do this, but some drives may require you to find tool to check)

5. CLONE
- a few good tools such as Macrium Reflect Free
- make sure you have enough space (Windows Cleanup tool from file manager may help a lot)
http/www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

6. physically SWAP drives

7. Bootup and test

8. After a WEEK or so->
a) do a full, NTFS Format of the external USB 1TB HDD
b) then create a backup IMAGE of your SSD

You can then use the remaining space on the 1TB HDD for whatever.

*You can also set Acronis True Image (non-free version) to use a USB drive for backup. You set the interval (i.e. one month) and when you attach the drive Acronis will update if the time has passed. You can also set it to DELETE older backups so basically if you set a reminder in your calendar it's pretty easy to keep a backup in case your SSD fails.

(you can even PARTITION the HDD so it's 200GB + 730GB, and put the backup images to the 730GB partition. Leave the 200GB blank. If the SSD physically fails, you can boot to the Acronis True Image CD or USB... which you must create in advance... then instruct it to RESTORE the latest backup to the first partition. In less than an hour you can be up and running, then RMA the SSD.)