SSD in laptop

[O3LdOr]

I wanna ask a question, maybe it's dumb. The thing is, I'm not that familiar with the new SSD hard drives. I've got a Dell Inspiron N7110 Core i5, which has a 500 gig hdd. Is it possible to replace it with a SSD? And how much will it improve performance and boot up time? Then I can just use the 500gig as an external.
Thanks in advance

[Ron2K]

SSDs and laptop HDDs have the same 2.5" form factor; I don't see any reason why you can't replace it. As for performance improvements, I can't give you a solid answer -- that would be answered better by forum members who own SSDs.

On a side note, should you go ahead with this plan, you'll need to be sure that the hard drive enclosure that you will presumably buy for the existing 500 GB HDD supports 2.5" drives. Last time I checked (admittedly a considerable time ago), those types of enclosure were relatively rare.

[O3LdOr]

Tanx Ron

[Nuke]

An SSD will be the single biggest speed improvement you will see. If you have the money, you wont be sorry that you spend it on the SSD. I did a test just after I got mine. Open Office took around 30s to start on a normal hard drive, 3s on an SSD.

[StarBound]

Can't speak for laptops but desktops you can ask any SSD user, once your on one its hard to go back to a harddrive.

[O3LdOr]

Thanx guys, you made up my mind for me. I'm deffinately getting one. As soon as I find the best offer to fit my pocket. Will keep you posted.

[StarBound]

Intel 330 series should do well. But think the price might shock you.

[Stuart]

On a side note, should you go ahead with this plan, you'll need to be sure that the hard drive enclosure that you will presumably buy for the existing 500 GB HDD supports 2.5" drives. Last time I checked (admittedly a considerable time ago), those types of enclosure were relatively rare.

Nah, they're easy enough to get these days. You only have to be sure (ordering online) that you read properly an order a 2.5" rather than a 3.5", but you won't have any trouble finding one.

My advice with external enclosures would be to get a decent, brand name one rather than some cheapie no-name brand jobbie that may or may not die within a week.

But +1 on the SSD. It's rough working with a regular drive once you're used to a SSD.