How can I tell if an internal harddrive is compatable with my laptop?

Question

I have a Dell Inpsiron 8600 and would like to have more storage, preferably 100+G.

Answer 1

The best way to look up your the manual, Dell has online manual available on all model. It should tell you how big the hard-drive would support. Or email to Dell, I think as long as it is a Pentium 3 or above, your laptop Bois should take it.

Most likely would support 100G, I have a Inspiron 600m which I recently replace a WD 120G, my harddrive is 5400RPM, should it is a lot faster than the old one.

Answer 2

if you buy directly from dell, you can get a refurbished hard drive from their spare parts division (1-800-449-3355). you might have to jump through a few phone hoops to get to the spare parts division. they have a 100GB 4.2k hdd available (presuming there are some in stock). This hard drive should (you'll want to double-check with the salesperson) come with the appropriate hard drive cage already attached so that you can simply slide out the old hard drive and put in the replacement hard drive - and you're good to go.

otherwise, you should be able to buy any "internal notebook drive" from best buy, compusa, etc. all notebook drives should be 2.5". you'll also want to be sure the hard drive you buy says either "eide" or "ata" interface. Probably 85-90% of notebook drives are that, but there are newer hard drives that are "sata" and that wouldn't work in your system.

hope that helps....

Answer 3

dell makes it hard to upgrade even their desktops. I would recommend an external drive
But the first link is for laptop drives but go to each ones manufactures site to check compatibility
The second is the drive I sell with the third link enclosure, I build custom pcs.
Or just search the NEW EGG link for what you need. Hope that helps.