What’s involved when replacing the storage on your laptop?
If your laptop supports storage upgrades, then all you have to do is buy an NVMe SSD that fits your laptop. Most laptops fit standard M.2 2280 (80mm long) SSDs, but more compact models may need a smaller M.2 2230 (30mm long) or M.2 2242 (42mm long) drive.
Be sure to get the right form factor for your laptop — you can find those details on the web or in your laptop’s service manual.
Framework Laptop 13 disassembled with pieces and internal components
Framework Laptops are known for their upgradability via modular design. This Framework Laptop 13 is one of our favorites for unmatched repairability.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
Also, don’t just buy any old SSD. If you cheap out on a low-end SSD, you’ll get low-end speeds. Many modern laptops now support PCIe Gen4 SSDs, which are faster than older PCIe Gen3 SSDs, so be sure to get a drive that takes advantage of it if your laptop supports it. (Check out PCWorld’s recommended PCIe Gen4 SSDs.)
Once you have the SSD, you’ll need to open your laptop. Depending on the laptop, it may just take a few screws… but there’s also a chance you’ll need a “spudger” to pry apart the laptop’s base from the plastic tabs that hold the laptop frame together.
Framework Laptop 13 installing SSD
With many modern laptops, upgrading the SSD truly is as simple as plugging in and out of a slot. The only question is, how easily accessible is the storage slot in your laptop?
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
Once you’re in, you just have to access the storage. On many laptops, that means unfastening a screw, pulling the existing SSD out, sliding your new SSD into the slot, and re-fastening the screw. (On some gaming laptops, business laptops, and otherwise modular laptops, you may even spot an empty second SSD slot. If you do, you can just add your SSD without removing the current one and use both at the same time!)
Lastly, with the new SSD in your laptop, make sure you take care of it. Avoid these mistakes that kill SSDs early!