Maximum supported HDD size for HP Elitebook 8440p runing Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit

[Walter_Ekland]

     Hello, I've just purchased an HP Elitebook 8440p "Off Lease" from Tigerdirect and am looking to upgrade both memory (from 4 GB to 8 GB) and put in the largest allowable HDD I can. Either a 512 GB SSD or a 1TB WD Hybrid WD BLACK2 (1 TB HDD / 120 GB SSD Combo drive in One Package!). I would appreciate knowing the Largest Addressable HDD using Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit OS since I don't seem to able to find that info on the web. HP only offers only a 256 GB SSD in its Specs. but I wasn't sure if that was do to BIOS limitations or availability at time of production, same for HDD at 512 GB.

     Also, I would like to know if the Drive Bay's 9.5mm compliant which it needs to be for the WD drive. Can't find that either and while the new laptop has yet to arrive, not everyone measures precisely the same way as to what will work and what just can't be "cheated".

     Thank you for taking the time to read this and ANY information along these lines would be Greatl Appreciated!

[banhien]

Hi,

You can install 1TB HDD or SSD (even more), no problem. Many SDD's now are thinner than standard 9.5mm but they normally come with with plastic or even metal part(s) to raise up to 9.5mm standard. FYI: few days ago, I installed a Crucial 960GB M500 SSD to one of my laptops to test Windows 10, it has a metal frame which allows it to fit nicely on a normal laptop HDD bay,

Regards.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Essentially the reason you are not finding a maximum hard drive size is because there is not any. Between SATA and 64 bit OS'es, worrying about maximum hard drive size is a thing of the past. The biggest drives found in the Manual are, as you suspected, just a function of the market at the time of manufacture. That was a few years ago now so it is understandable that the offerings "back then" were slimmer than now. 

Here is the Service Manual:

Manual

Page 4-9 shows the hard drive bay and replacement procedure. The bay is made for a 9.5 mm thick 2.5 inch wide SATA hard drive but the newer 7 mm drives will work, too. The Hybrid Black drive requires some software (included in the package) to address both drives in Windows and I have read a modest amount of disappointment in the literature about them. If you can afford the 512 gig SSD go in that direction and you will not be sorry. I use a Samsung 840 Evo and it has performed flawlessly for me for almost 2 years and the newer 850 I hear is even better. 

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

[Walter_Ekland]

Hello BH,

     Very nice to hear from you. I was hoping that that would be the case with the OS removing the boundaries, thank you for your quick and knowledgable answer.

[Walter_Ekland]

Hello Huffer,

     Thank you as well for your answer and the manual as well. I appreciate all the help and knowledge and will be looking here for the answers to any future questions. Thanks again to one and all, greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Wayne S.