Laptop PATA hard drive upgrade options

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by FireFox747, Oct 13, 2009.

  1. FireFox747

    FireFox747 MDL Novice

    Oct 10, 2009
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    I've noticed that most drive manufacturers seem to be concentrating on sata drives, with the ide (pata) ones becoming harder to find and more costly. It seems to be worse for laptop 2.5" pata drives and can be a real problem for owners of older laptops without sata.

    My favourite ide drives used to be the IBM/Hitachi Travelstar drives, but it now seems that the two main brands out there are Western Digital and Samsung. These are both brands that I don't really like due to past experiences, but without much choice available which is better?

    Providing the machine and bios permit it, the largest Samsung is the MH160HC (160GB), whilst for WD it is the WD3200BEVE (320GB). Both manufacturers give 3 years warranty, but there is no point having this if you regularly have to rma it back at your own expense. :eek: