Can i replace my Hard-drive with SSD and which one?

[Aedy]

Hi,

My laptop HP Pavilion - 14-al111tx boots very slow and even other applications take time to load.

Disk is almost 100% full at all times.

I was suggested to change the Hard-drive to Solid State Drive. 

However, I am confused because while reading the Product guide for HP Pavilion - 14-al111tx - it says below:

"Solid-state drive Support for a 256-MB, M2.2280, SATA-3, solid-state drive supporting triple-level cell (TLC) and a 128-
MB, M2.2280, SATA-3, solid-state drive"

Can you suggest me which SSD can be used.

[tk_srq]

@Aedy,

As you already figured out from your model's manual (pages 2 and 43), your laptop supports only M.2 SATA SSD. Specs of an SSD you need to get is M.2 SATA 3 (6 GB/s) SSD 2280. The manual lists only 128 and 256 GB but you should have no problems with bigger size (500 GB or 1 TB ). If you buy from online vendors, get one that has high favorable reviews.

Page 43 shows how to install an M.2 SSD. M.2 port is located just to the right of the battery. This youtube video may be of help (it's older 14-al0xx model but still helps you).

HP LAPTOP 14-AL001NX 3165NGW DISASSEMBLE UPGRADE (youtube.com)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Aedy 

Below is the link to the product specs for your notebook:

HP Pavilion - 14-al111tx Product Specifications | HP® Support

It comes with a 1 TB mechanical hard drive.

What HP fails to explain in many of the service manuals for notebooks made around the time yours was, is that if the notebook came with a 2.5" SATA SSD, there is no M.2 slot for the SATA SSD.

In the case of your notebook's model series, only the 14-al1xx notebooks that came with a M.2 SATA SSD have the M.2 slot.

If you look at chapter 3, page 20 of the service manual, there are removable parts to add a M.2 SSD slot and I definitely don't recommend trying to locate and buy those parts.

Solid-state hard drive cable (includes double-sided adhesive)    856202-001

Solid-state hard drive connector board (not illustrated)                856210-001

A M.2 SATA SSD of the same brand will perform no better than a 2.5" SATA SSD.

Your only option for a SSD would be to replace the 1 TB mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SSD in a storage capacity that meets your needs and budget.

[tk_srq]

@Paul_Tikkanen,

The illustration below of page 36 shows both a hard drive and M.2 SSD, which gave me an impression that this model supports both HDD and M.2 SSD. Thank you for straightening it out.

@Aedy,

Hopefully, you haven't got or ordered an M.2 SSD yet. Please follow Paul's advice. Sorry for confusing you.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, @tk_srq 

Off the top of my head, the following model series do not come with M.2 slots unless the notebook came with a M.2 SATA SSD or a dual drive 2.5" + M.2 SSD from the factory:

14-acxxx, 15-acxxx, 14-afxxx, 15-afxxx, 14-alxxx, 14-amxxx, 15-auxxx, 15-ayxxx

How we find this out...from screenshots of other forum member's posts that show the absence of the M.2 slots.

Can not find M.2 SSD slot for HP Pavilion 14 al021tx - HP Support Community - 6193775

I know I have provided the same information to other forum members in the past as you did in this situation.

You can't hit what you can't see. 

We rely on the HP service manuals, and they are not always right.

[Aedy]

Hey @Tk_srq, thanks for your quick response. No I didn't place any order.

I ordered the standard WD blue 500 GB SSD which can fit in after replacing the current mechanical hard drive.

[Aedy]

hey Paul, Thanks a lot for your response. This helped me a lot! Gave a clear picture. Thanks again!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.