Pavilion 15 Storage Expansion query

[Sui2]

Hello,

I'm looking to get one of these HP laptops - 15-cs1010na or 15-bc403sa.

I'm struggling to work out if they have expansion slots to install either an SSD in the bc403sa, or a normal hard drive in the cs1010na. I'm looking for the SSD performance, but know 512gb won't be enough storage so would need to add some traditional hard drive space in there.

Thanks in advance 🙂

Garrie

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

The 15-bc403sa has space to add an SSD which can be the NVME (fastest) kind. Here is the Manual:

See p. 11 here:

Service Manual

The Manual only lists the availability of a SATA-3 M.2 but also says you can install a 16 gig Optane module which means the slot is enabled for NVME because an Optane module is nothing but a small capacity NVME M.2 disk. 

Here is what it looks like with back cover removed:

memory green M.2 red HDD orange

Its better to buy a laptop with the hard drive in it and add an M.2 disk as the M.2 requires no extra hardware other than a screw which is likely provided. If you buy a model with the M.2 but no HDD, HP will not include the caddy and cable to add one and those parts are darn near impossible to find and pricey when you do. 

Post back with any other questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[Sui2]

Thank you Huffer, I'll probably be buying the Samsung 970 EVO 250 GB V-NAND M.2 PCI Express Solid State Drive then as it looks like it'll work 🙂

[Huffer]

Good call. I am typing this on my own laptop which contains that same drive.