Upgrading SSD in laptops is not a simple task!

Upgrading a solid-state drive (SSD) in a desktop computer is relatively straightforward for the motherboard, but it's not as simple for laptops. Firstly, disassembling a laptop requires precision, and secondly, the choice of SSD depends on the actual motherboard of the laptop.

Overall, it requires a good deal of expertise and technical know-how. Otherwise, why would repair shops charge such high labor fees? Therefore, it's essential to first have a systematic understanding of your own laptop.

1. Types of SSD Interfaces Older laptops typically come without SSDs and instead have 2.5-inch SATA mechanical hard drives. Therefore, you'll need to purchase an SSD with a SATA interface for replacement. For instance, the Samsung 870 QVO, with its 2.5-inch standard size, can be directly replaced, offering speeds several times faster than mechanical hard drives, extending the laptop's life for another three years. Some later laptops gradually started to come with SSDs, but their capacities are often small, and the interfaces can be confusing. Initially, some used mSATA SSDs, but this is a transitional interface and not very common. A typical example of such a product is the Samsung 850 EVO, which also utilizes the SATA interface. Laptops nowadays come equipped with M.2 interface solid-state drives (SSDs), but there are still differences in the interface types of different models of motherboards. Early products used the B&M Key, with two notches in the connector, running on the SATA channel, such as the Samsung 860 EVO. On the other hand, B-key products have only one notch in the connector, running on the PCIe NVMe protocol, which is much faster than SATA, sometimes several times faster or even more than ten times faster. This has become the universal standard for SSDs today, such as Samsung's latest 990 EVO.

As for the performance of solid-state drives: Currently, the performance of SATA SSDs has basically reached its peak. For example, the sequential read and write speeds of the Samsung 870 QVO reach 560MB/s and 530MB/s respectively.

As for PCIe NVMe M.2 solid-state drives, the speed varies depending on the PCIe version. For example, the Samsung 980, which supports PCIe 3.0, has sequential read and write speeds of 3100MB/s and 2600MB/s respectively, while the Samsung 990 EVO, which supports PCIe 4.0, has sequential read and write speeds of 5000MB/s and 4200MB/s respectively. When it comes to PCIe versions, compatibility between versions is crucial to consider. For instance, PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 are backward compatible with each other. However, if you install a PCIe 3.0 SSD on a PCIe 4.0 interface, you'll waste the interface's bandwidth. Conversely, installing a PCIe 4.0 SSD on a PCIe 3.0 interface will underutilize the SSD's performance potential, resulting in a waste of both performance and money. Interestingly, the Samsung 990 EVO also supports the latest PCIe 5.0. According to Crystal Disk Mark tests, it exceeds the nominal values of 5000MB/s and 4200MB/s in both PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4 modes. Not only is there no need to worry about performance degradation, but it also delivers lower power consumption, which we will discuss further later on. The dimensions and capacities of solid-state drives (SSDs): PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs have standardized widths and pin configurations, but their lengths vary depending on the device. This results in different specifications such as 2230, 2242, 2280, and 22110. Here, "22" refers to the width of the printed circuit board (PCB), while "30", "42", "80", and "110" denote the PCB lengths. Usually, the 2230 and 2240 form factors are shorter and are commonly used in devices like tablets, x86 gaming handhelds, and occasionally in some laptops. On the other hand, the 22110 form factor is rarely seen in both desktops and laptops and is mostly found in enterprise-grade products.

Currently, the most widely supported form factor for both desktop motherboards and laptops is the 2280 length specification. Consumer-grade products, including the Samsung 990 EVO, mostly adhere to the 2280 length specification.

As for capacity, it's essential to meet the minimum requirements to make the upgrade worthwhile. Currently, terabyte-level capacities are the norm, with the Samsung 990 EVO offering options of 1TB and 2TB.

When it comes to the power consumption and heat dissipation of solid-state drives (SSDs), it's crucial to consider these factors, especially for laptop upgrades. Laptops have limited internal space, often occupied by CPU and GPU heat sinks, leading to challenging thermal conditions.

Therefore, high-performance SSDs generating excessive heat are not suitable for laptops. Moreover, laptops with integrated heat sinks cannot accommodate such products. Typically, SSDs in thin and light laptops have conservative performance, such as the Samsung OEM product PM9B1.

Furthermore, the battery life and power consumption of laptop components are directly related. Low-power SSDs can usually improve battery life by approximately 2%. The power consumption of SSDs depends on the components used. For example, the Samsung 990 EVO adopts a DRAMless design, utilizes a 5nm manufacturing process, and features a new architecture. With its excellent control over power consumption and heat generation, it's an ideal choice for laptop upgrades.

In conclusion, upgrading and expanding SSDs in laptops not only require technical skills but also demand an understanding of the laptop's configuration. It's advisable to check teardown photos/videos online or directly disassemble the laptop before upgrading to ensure the purchase of the most suitable product.