Can I use a laptop hard drive in a desktop PC?

[MeNameBePotato]

Can I?I have a 2.5" laptop hard drive from which I have to pull some data off.Both my 3.5" hard drive and the 2.5" use the same, SATA interface, but is there a difference in how much power each of them will pull and, basically, can I use it that way?Appreciate your help.

[LIGISTX]

It will work just fine

[Sheldon_King]

There will be no issue with hooking it up.  It will use less power than a 3.5" drive, but the PSU will only supply what is ask for. 

[Superarragon]

Yes.

[MeNameBePotato]

Thanks for all the feedback, means a lot to me.

[ragedev]

I've been using my 2.5" laptop drive as a Backup/Hackintosh Drive

[terrytek]

Yeah, it should work fine. The only things you may need are the power cables and a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter. I think HDDs only like to work one way, unlike SSDs, which can be posted even upside down.

[_wky]

Absolutely!

[Sheldon_King]

 I think HDDs only like to work one way, unlike SSDs, which can be posted even upside down.

That is not right. A HDD will post upside down, sideways, backwards, or even hanging by the sata cable (not advisable). The only real way they won't work is falling or after being dropped or opened.

[terrytek]

That is not right. A HDD will post upside down, sideways, backwards, or even hanging by the sata cable (not advisable). The only real way they won't work is falling or after being dropped or opened.

I'm pretty sure you ain't right. I thought the read heads might sag a little. I heard this from other members.

[Sheldon_King]

I'm pretty sure you ain't right. I thought the read heads might sag a little. I heard this from other members.

I guess my computer must be special then. Running a 2.5" 250GB drive mounted sideways in the drive bays in my 750d and a 3TB Seagate 3.5" upside down for well over 3 months and it is still fully functional. 

[terrytek]

I guess my computer must be special then. Running a 2.5" 250GB drive mounted sideways in the drive bays in my 750d and a 3TB Seagate 3.5" upside down for well over 3 months and it is still fully functional. 

Yeah, and also, if you still use screws for your hard drives, it may not fit due to screw configurations.

[Sheldon_King]

Yeah, and also, if you still use screws for your hard drives, it may not fit due to screw configurations.

That would depend on the caddy more than the HDD. Most times if you install the HDD onto the caddy the right way, you can still mount the caddy to the case upside down if needed (for instance if the mounting space interferes with the SATA cable clearance).

[terrytek]

That would depend on the caddy more than the HDD. Most times if you install the HDD onto the caddy the right way, you can still mount the caddy to the case upside down if needed (for instance if the mounting space interferes with the SATA cable clearance).

Still, I was talking about the screws on the side, not the bottom.

[Sheldon_King]

Still, I was talking about the screws on the side, not the bottom.

It works either way. the screws on the bottom won't fit inverted either (as the top of the hdd is in contact with the caddy, not the bottom).  Without looking, I am pretty sure the side screw locations are not centered (they definitely aren't on the 2.5" drives) so you will still have only 2 ways to mount it in the caddy (back to front and inversely front to back). 

Either way you bolt it down, the caddy should mount either way (up or inverted), and the drive will function for extended periods of time in either mounting configuration.

[zeibis]

I'm pretty sure you ain't right. I thought the read heads might sag a little. I heard this from other members.

 

HDD can work in any position as long as you secure it. Read heads stay in a very specific position so they wouldn't touch the platter unless you move working HDD.

[Sheldon_King]

unless you move working HDD.

I would question that part of your statement. Do you specifically mean move it in such a way that it introduces shock to the hdd?  Because if not, it is not right as it would mean you could not move a laptop without powering it down (which would defeat the purpose).

[terrytek]

I would question that part of your statement. Do you specifically mean move it in such a way that it introduces shock to the hdd?  Because if not, it is not right as it would mean you could not move a laptop without powering it down (which would defeat the purpose).

Probably vigorously shaking it.

[Sheldon_King]

Probably vigorously shaking it.

That is unintelligent even with a nonpowered HDD.  However, he specifically said move the hdd, which does not sound right.

[zeibis]

I would question that part of your statement. Do you specifically mean move it in such a way that it introduces shock to the hdd?  Because if not, it is not right as it would mean you could not move a laptop without powering it down (which would defeat the purpose).

 

Yeah, I mean more like shock or any unnecessary vibration can potentially damage the platters or read heads.

 

I am walking around my house with working laptop in my hands and didn't do any damage. But be nice to HDD, they are fragile.

[Sheldon_King]

Yeah, I mean more like shock or any unnecessary vibration can potentially damage the platters or read heads.

 

I am walking around my house with working laptop in my hands and didn't do any damage. But be nice to HDD, they are fragile.

I know a laptop can be used in motion, I do that all the time.   Just the way you stated it originally made it sound as if you thought that hdds in motion were damaged, which is not right. You have to introduce massive shock while the drive is powered most times to cause any major damage.

[zeibis]

I know a laptop can be used in motion, I do that all the time.   Just the way you stated it originally made it sound as if you thought that hdds in motion were damaged, which is not right. You have to introduce massive shock while the drive is powered most times to cause any major damage.

 

I know few truck drivers who used to use laptops as navigation and all of them had problems with HDDs it is possible from a vibration in the truck or just a hole on the road.

 

But I didn't mean gentle movement

[Sheldon_King]

I know few truck drivers who used to use laptops as navigation and all of them had problems with HDDs it is possible from a vibration in the truck or just a hole on the road.

I think the main issue there is using the wrong tool for the job... A Garmin would be much better and cheaper than the replacement harddrive.  

[zeibis]

I think the main issue there is using the wrong tool for the job... A Garmin would be much better and cheaper than the replacement harddrive.  

Yeah, but they like playing games and watching movies every 8 hours, so for a long time there was no alternative, except for last few years when tablet PCs got cheap and they have built in GPS.

[Sheldon_King]

Yeah, but they like playing games and watching movies every 8 hours, so for a long time there was no alternative, except for last few years when tablet PCs got cheap and they have built in GPS.

Not to disagree, but there was an alternative. 

For movies, you have mobile DVD players, and before that there were inverters that could be used to plug in a VCR.  For games you have the gameboy and its offspring, the DS and its replpacements, and the PSP, as well as the PS2 and all the Atari and Nintendo consoles that could also be used with an inverter.  I will give that you would have issues with HDD's going out with the PS3, PS4, XB360 and XB1 though.  SSD would solve that, or properly packing the laptop while driving (still need a Garmin type device for navigation).