Ultrabay HDD Adapter for T430s

[d2tbydt2]

@hanryy: I was thinking along the same lines and here's some info on it.

First of all, (1) It is not confirmed for T430s, whether the mSATA or the Ultrabay is SATA III capable and (2) Primary bay drive must be 7mm, ultrabay can be 9.5mm or 7mm+spacer.

I wouldn't put the OS/Apps in the Ultrabay.

Here are some options:

1. HDD (primary bay) = DVD (always), no SSD, not much of an upgrade

2. mSATA SSD + HDD (primary bay) + DVD in Ultrabay = DVD (always), pay for mSATA, assuming you got the free 500GB upgrade

3. SSD (primary bay) + HDD (ultra-bay) = no DVD (available via swap), pay for SSD and ultrabay adapter.

4. mSATA + SSD/HDD (primary bay) + HDD (ultrabay) = Fast boot/load + Lots of storage, no DVD (available via swap), pay for mSATA, adapter and extra drive.

[hanryy]

@hanryy: I was thinking along the same lines and here's some info on it.

First of all, (1) It is not confirmed for T430s, whether the mSATA or the Ultrabay is SATA III capable and (2) Primary bay drive must be 7mm, ultrabay can be 9.5mm or 7mm+spacer.

I wouldn't put the OS/Apps in the Ultrabay.

Here are some options:

1. HDD (primary bay) = DVD (always), no SSD, not much of an upgrade

2. mSATA SSD + HDD (primary bay) + DVD in Ultrabay = DVD (always), pay for mSATA, assuming you got the free 500GB upgrade

3. SSD (primary bay) + HDD (ultra-bay) = no DVD (available via swap), pay for SSD and ultrabay adapter.

4. mSATA + SSD/HDD (primary bay) + HDD (ultrabay) = Fast boot/load + Lots of storage, no DVD (available via swap), pay for mSATA, adapter and extra drive.

I did get the 500GB upgrade for free, so I am not too concerned about storage space. Especially since I already have a 1TB external. But from looking at prices the savings from buying the ultrabay adapter and a SSD isn't all too much. Maybe $20 or so. I feel like having the DVD available all the time would be worth that small amount. So I am leaning toward the mSATA option. Of course that is assuming the mSata is easily accessible. I will have to wait until I have the laptop in hand to see if I feel comfortable performing the operation.

[Kaso]

So I am leaning toward the mSATA option. Of course that is assuming the mSata is easily accessible. I will have to wait until I have the laptop in hand to see if I feel comfortable performing the operation.

Yeah, mSATA SSD boot + HDD storage + DVD drive is a great combo (if you don't need WWAN). You can also swap the optical drive for an UltraBay battery.

It's not difficult to access the mSATA/WWAN socket. The procedure is well illustrated on pages 73 and 74 in the T430s Hardware Maintenance Manual.

[hanryy]

Thanks for the link Kaso. If its as simple as that I wont have any worries at all. Now to find a good SSD...

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[Kaso]

My main concern would be if I did convert the ultrabay to my OS boot/system drive, it would be difficult to install old applications that I only have some derelict CD to use. An external DVD reader is not hard to come by though these days so that's not even a big concern.

Oh, easy. A SATA-USB cable is all you need in order to make that UltraBay DVD drive an external device.

[sagirodin]

Hi,

I would like to join the question and ask if I would be able to fit OCZ Agility 3 2.5" ssd (9mm thick) into the ultrabay and make it my primary drive whereas the hdd which would come with the laptop would be used as secondary hard drive?

Of course I understand this means I have no DVD and no extra battery.

Thanks

[power7]

Oh, easy. A SATA-USB cable is all you need in order to make that UltraBay DVD drive an external device.

The regular SATA-USB won't work, need slimline SATA-USB like Amazon.com: SLIMLINE SATA 13 Pin to USB Converter Cable: Computers & Accessories to connect the Ultrabay DVD (or HDD in the ultrabay caddy).

Or, if the machine has a combined eSATA/USB, there are simpler, passive, cables on ebay " SATA 13 PIN 7+6P female to Power ESATA + USB ". These are better for hard drivers.

[Kaso]

... I would be able to fit OCZ Agility 3 2.5" ssd (9mm thick) into the ultrabay and make it my primary drive whereas the hdd which would come with the laptop would be used as secondary hard drive?

Yes. Edit the BIOS accordingly. (The SSD won't operate at SATA 6Gbit/s, but most of us don't sweat over it.)

On the other hand, it is extremely simple to remove the HDD from the primary bay. Nudge nudge.

[Kaso]

The regular SATA-USB won't work, need slimline SATA-USB like ...

I stand corrected.

[manamananomnom]

Just got my adapter from nimitz today, works like a charm.