Upgrading Laptop SSD

[Owen Griffin]

Hello! I am looking into upgrading my laptops (HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop - 15-dk1008ca) m.2 drive, but have some questions:

1. My laptop has this M.2: SAMSUNG MZVLB512HBJQ-000H1 512GB. It is an M.2, PCIE 3.0, 2280 drive. Is upgrading it possible?
2. Would replacing it with this be a good replacement?
3. How dangerous is the replacement? I am kinda sketched out by opening my laptop.
4. Would this be a good m.2 enclosure to transfer the data? Is there a cheaper/better option?
5. Would I have to buy a new windows license or would it transfer? The laptop did not come with a product/recovery key.

[BiotechBen]

9 minutes ago, Owen Griffin said:

My laptop has this M.2: SAMSUNG MZVLB512HBJQ-000H1 512GB. It is an M.2, PCIE 3.0, 2280 drive. Is upgrading it possible?

Yes. Make sure the drive is single sided if it is limited to single sided drives.

 

9 minutes ago, Owen Griffin said:

Would replacing it with this be a good replacement?

Sabrent rocket is a solid drive.

 

9 minutes ago, Owen Griffin said:

How dangerous is the replacement? I am kinda sketched out by opening my laptop.

The important thing to remember is that you'll need a spudger/pick to pop the plastic clips, and to just be gentle

 

9 minutes ago, Owen Griffin said:

Would this be a good m.2 enclosure to transfer the data? Is there a cheaper/better option?

Looks good to me.

 

9 minutes ago, Owen Griffin said:

Would I have to buy a new windows license or would it transfer? The laptop did not come with a product/recovery key.

Macrium Reflect, and then AMOEI partition manager to merge the boot and empty space. Should go fine just fine, windows licences only really start giving you trouble when you drastically change hardware and do it frequently. Since you are doing the same hardware it shouldn't really even notice a difference. (Cloned a windows install from an old laptop to a desktop, and then cloned it when I had a PCIE lane issue to a SATA drive and still works great.

[Owen Griffin]

@BiotechBen Thanks! Do I need an anti static wristband of some sort? Is an ifixit prying and opening tool kit necessary for the clips, or would something else freeer (like a random piece of plastic) work?

5 minutes ago, BiotechBen said:

Yes.

 

Sabrent rocket is a solid drive

 

The important thing to remember is that you'll need a spudger/pick to pop the plastic clips, and to just be gentle

 

Looks good to me.

 

Macrium Reflect, and then AMOEI partition manager to merge the boot and empty space. Should go fine just fine, windows licences only really start giving you trouble when you drastically change hardware and do it frequently. Since you are doing the same hardware it shouldn't really even notice a difference. (Cloned a windows install from an old laptop to a desktop, and then cloned it when I had a PCIE lane issue to a SATA drive and still works great.

 

[BiotechBen]

2 hours ago, Owen Griffin said:

@BiotechBen Thanks! Do I need an anti static wristband of some sort? Is an ifixit prying and opening tool kit necessary for the clips, or would something else freeer (like a random piece of plastic) work?

 

I used a old plastic gift card to pop the majority of the clips, if you have something non metallic to lever the first but it'll be much easier. IIRC, that era of release pattern was to start at the hinge and work your way around, you might have screws under the rubber feet. 

 

I dont generally use anti-static straps, and I haven't had anything terrible happen, just touch something metal every so often like a doorknob or radiator or similar; really just something that has a path to ground. 

[Owen Griffin]

14 hours ago, BiotechBen said:

I used a old plastic gift card to pop the majority of the clips, if you have something non metallic to lever the first but it'll be much easier. IIRC, that era of release pattern was to start at the hinge and work your way around, you might have screws under the rubber feet. 

 

I dont generally use anti-static straps, and I haven't had anything terrible happen, just touch something metal every so often like a doorknob or radiator or similar; really just something that has a path to ground. 

Thanks!