My W540 is coming in this week, and I have some questions.

So my W540 is arriving, and here is what I plan to do as soon as I get it:
Turn on computer and verify that all hardware works.
Update to the latest BIOS.
Replace the HDD with my own SSD.
Reinstall Windows.
Here is my configuration for reference:
Intel Core i7-4700MQ
FHD Display, no color sensor
8 GB DDR3L RAM (2 x 4 GB)
500 GB, 7200 RPM HDD
Optical Drive
NVIDIA K2100m
Fingerprint reader, no NFC
Intel Wireless AC 7260
WIndows 8.1 Pro
I have a few questions about this process and the computer in general:
Some review sites say that the primary hard drive must be mounted in a proprietary plastic piece that is unavailable for separate purchase. Can this be removed from the OEM HDD and attached to a third-party SSD? I have a Samsung 840 EVO.
When installing Windows, is there a difference between creating recovery media from the original HDD and recovering to the SSD versus simply installing Windows 8.1 from the ISO and downloading drivers from the Lenovo support site? Note that I do not want any junkware that comes with the computer. Only the Lenovo software/drivers that are required for the hardware to function optimally.
I have heard some things about MBR and GPT when using UEFI, but I have no idea what it means. The SSD that I will install is currently in use in my T510, and it is running Windows 8.1 Pro. I believe it is formatted as MBR. Do I have to do anything special with this? Will all partitions be erased?
I have never owned an Optimus laptop before. Currently using a non-Optimus T510, and I just download the latest drivers from NVIDIA's website. With Optimus, where do I get my drivers? Do I only install the driver from the Lenovo site? Do I download the drivers from Intel and NVIDIA? Is it possible to force all GPU activity on either GPU and completely disable the other?
Are special drivers required for the USB 3.0 ports to work at maximum speed?
Is it possible to use my current 90 W adapter for my T510 with the W540 with an adapter cable? I know that this should limit performance, but it would be helpful when traveling.
About how long does the battery last while web browsing and the CPU set to minimum performance?
What is the largest capacity M.2 SSD that will fit in this laptop?
If I want to add more RAM in the future, which 2 x 4 GB kits are compatible with what I already have?
W540: i7-4700mq, K2100m, 8 GB DDR3L, 512 GB SSD
T510: i7-620m, NVS 3100m, 8 GB DDR3, 512 GB SSD

Djembe wrote:
UEFI (unified extensible firmware interface) boot requires Global unique identifier Partition Table (GPT) as opposed to the older Master Boot Record (MBR). If your existing drive is formatted in MBR, you will need to adjust BIOS settings to enable legacy boot in order for it to work properly.
Is there a performance difference between GPT and MBR? If GPT is better, I do not mind formatting the drive with it.
5. No special drivers are needed.
Thanks. What about the thunderbolt port?
7. I think Lenovo estimates 6 hours.
Lenovo says 6 hours with the 6-cell battery on its website.
BrendaEM wrote:
Hi,
There was a serious BIOS/UEFI problem with that SSD . Perhaps this thread will save you some headaches. Someone is recomending shutting off Rapid Boot in the setup, which would probable mean little with a SSD, anyway.
I read through this, and it looks like the problem was fixed in a BIOS update, which I plan to do. However, it also seems like Intel Rapid Start is not even worth it in the first place, as sleep consumes almost no power at all.
W540: i7-4700mq, K2100m, 8 GB DDR3L, 512 GB SSD
T510: i7-620m, NVS 3100m, 8 GB DDR3, 512 GB SSD

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