How Much Memory (NOT RAM) Can My Laptop Handle (Also, Slave Drive Questions)

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Is there a limit to how large of a HDD or SSD I can put in my laptop?

I currently have a 1TB SSD, and that's it. Could it handle 2TB? 4TB? 6TB?

There is an empty internal hard drive slot and I'm looking to add a slave drive. 

Is there much, if any, difference between using a HDD versus SSD for the slave drive?

I was under the impression that there wasn't a limit to how big of a HDD/SSD you can put in until a year ago I put a 3TB HDD into a desktop and it only recognized 2TB of it. 

Finally, off subject, if anyone could point out anything else that could/should be upgraded on this laptop, I'd appreciate it.

If any of these questions are a bit silly, feel free to have a chuckle at 'em.

Thank you in advance.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Not silly at all. Laptop hard drives max out at 2 TB, not because of any issue with the laptop hardware, the hard drive makers just have not gotten more data capacity on a 2.5 inch drive yet. You can install a 2 TB or 2 of them in your laptop. I would not use an SSD as a secondary "slave" drive because you cannot boot from it and the speed is somewhat wasted. Your optimum configuration is the largest SSD your budget can support in the primary bay and then a 2 TB mechanical drive in the secondary bay. You will need a caddy and cable for the secondary bay and you can buy it here:

http://www.newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5&products_id=498

If you look at the bottom of the newmodeus.com page, you will see installation instructions. 

That 2TB/3TB problem you had on the desktop was easily solved. The drive needs to be set up to the more modern GPT file system rather than the old schoool MBR system. You will not have that problem with a 2 TB  laptop drive, but the gpt system is much preferable for Windows 8 and higher, anyway. 

Post back if you need help with software migration/reinstallation. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

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Awesome! Thank you so much!