Re: Toshiba M10: replacing 7k200 HDD with Advanced Format" 7K750 HDD

Can anyone see any problems with replacing the original Hitachi TravelStar 7K200 (200GB) hard drive, which came in my two-year-old Toshiba Tecra M10-11X, with a so-called "Advanced Format" 7K750 (750GB or perhaps 640GB) hard drive?
Like the original I would like to dual-boot the new drive using three partitions:
* Windows 7 32-bit
* Data
* Windows XP
and would probably clone one disk to the other (increasing the partition sizes!) using v5 of Macrium Reflect.
I've read up on the TravelStar 7K750 specs, the Hitachi Alignment Tool, the Microsoft KnowledgeBase article 982018 "An update that improves the compatibility of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with Advanced Format Disks is available", Bit-tech's http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/sto...t-hard-disks/1, and so on, but wonder whether anyone has actually replaced the original hard drive with any Advanced Format disk, and so might have some experience to share?
Thanks!

Hi
I dont have an experience using such Advanced Format" 7K750 HDD but in my opinion it should not be a big problem using such HDD.
The notebook supports SATA interface and if this HDD would also support the SATA controller, then the HDD should be recognized too
But of course this is my personal opinion...

Similar Messages

Does AirPort Extreme support external drives with Advanced Format (4K) ?

Hi!
I have an AirPort Extreme from 2008 and now i want to use a Raid 1 USB HDD for Time Machine.
The new disks often has the new "Advanced Format" (4K blocks).
Does this APE support such 4k drives?
At the moment i don't have any experience with this new format,
for this reason i don't know if the APE or the hdd case has to support this format.
regards
Sebastian

Sebastian Brandner wrote:
1) I'm using a simple USB Disk, connected to my APE, as Time Machine Backup Volume. This works quite well for about a year.
Yes, for a few folks it does appear to work for a number of days, weeks, or months. But sooner or later, the backups turn up corrupted, often beyond repair. It happens to me about eery 3 months, which seems fairly typical. That's likely why Apple doesn't support it, and nobody should depend on it.
2) The RAID Case shows only a single disk to the connected device, raid 1 handling ist internal and so it's again just a simple usb disk.
Correct. I didn't say otherwise. In a supported location, Time Machine will back up to a hardware RAID set (but not a software one).
3) The link with the supported disks doesn't handle the new disk format 4k. :-/ Maybe the support entry is too old.
Note that it's a 2008 Airport Extreme; that predates the support article by at least a couple of years.
But by all means, call AppleCare if you don't believe the support article.

Recovering Windows 7 with advanced format drive failes without SP1

I have a dv6-2150us and the hard drive failed. I acquired a new drive and ran recovery disks. Unfortunately many features do not work correctly on an advanced format drive in Windows 7 without SP1. The key feature is Windows update does not work which prevents me from upgrading to SP1. I tried many fixes to Windows update and downloaded SP1 from Microsoft's site, but they all fail to install because update fails to run.
Any advice? I tried to install a fresh ISO of Windows 7 SP1 which works fine, but I would rather not pay for an OS I already own. My Windows license key doesn't work with the Windows 7 SP1 install.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

dv6guy,
Did the HP Recovery Discs actually fail to install??? Does the recovered install fail to boot completely or correctly. Or does the recovered install not only have isues with Windows update and/or other software???
If the recovery completes and you can enter Windows please try to use ABR Beta With Windows 7 Support to backup the installed HP OEM SLP key and HP OEM SLP certificate. Once you have these, save the complete ABR folder to an external location, like a USB stick. Next, install Windows 7 SP1 from your fresh ISO. Do not enter a product key when requested and do not allow Windows to try to activate the computer. Now, restore the key and certificate to your fresh Windows 7 SP1 install. Verify that Windows is activated. Post back and let us know if this succeeded or failed
Please see this forum thread entitled How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc for more on the subject.
Please send KUDOs
Frank
{------------ Please click the "White Kudos" Thumbs Up to say THANKS for helping.
Please click the "Accept As Solution" on my post, if my assistance has solved your issue. ------------V
This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I don't work for HP.
HP 15t-j100 (on loan from HP)
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HP a1632x - Windows 7, 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
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HP p6320y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240
HP p7-1026 - Windows 7, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6787c - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240

Replace all footage with different format

Hi All,
So I am aware about like changing some files by like renamming or moving the folder and opening the project and then pointing it to the new directory/whatever and that works great.
I am helping out a friend who does sound who's client is a mess and I need to figure out a fast way to fix this.
Long story short the poor kid shot on a redcam but had everything converted to .mov 720x480 files and edited in premiere elements. Well... The sound guy can't get an OMF from there so I took everything and imported it into premiere pro and started fixing a couple bits up and exported the OMF. Now I found out that the kid still has the R3D files. so I would like to replace every .mov and .mp4 file in this project to the r3d of the same name with just the r3d extension.
Meaning when I tried to move the other files and start replacing i had to manually locate each r3d and that would take forever...
I want to change the files to the much better quality ones, setup a proper sequence, keep his edits, and then speedgrade it for him but I am not willing to invest the time of manually replacing each file.
any ideaS?

Hi Jim,
I moved all the R3Ds (that's all he has, not other files associated to it) into the same folder so they are together, and that did not work
I feel bad for this kid as he has invested and is trying to do something, but doesn't know how. I may end up doing it the long way.

How do I format my HDD to Advanced Format/512E to use 512K blocks with Windows Backup?

I'm running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. When running Windows Backup onto an external 4TB Touro HDD (2TB partition), I receive the error:
The last backup did not complete successfully. One of the backup files could not be created. Details: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
Error code: 0x8078002A
The cause was given on a forum as:
"The "root cause" is that Windows 7 (and its system tools) does not support a 4K native block size. As a workaround the disk can be formatted with "Advanced Format"/512E to use 512K blocks."
It was suggested I try WD Quick Formatter, but this only works with WD HDDs.
How do I format my HDD to "Advanced Format"/512E to use 512K blocks, so I can use Windows Backup with it?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\system32>fsutil fsinfo ntfsinfo c:
NTFS Volume Serial Number :       0x242afc902afc5fea
Version :                         3.1
Number Sectors :                  0x000000003a352fff
Total Clusters :                  0x000000000746a5ff
Free Clusters :                  0x0000000005e48694
Total Reserved :                  0x00000000000007f0
Bytes Per Sector :               512
Bytes Per Physical Sector :       512
Bytes Per Cluster :               4096
Bytes Per FileRecord Segment    : 1024
Clusters Per FileRecord Segment : 0
Mft Valid Data Length :           0x000000000c3c0000
Mft Start Lcn :                  0x00000000000c0000
Mft2 Start Lcn :                  0x0000000000000002
Mft Zone Start :                  0x00000000000cc3c0
Mft Zone End   :                  0x00000000000cc820
RM Identifier:        16D85EDA-ACBE-11E4-A5A3-A05A914FC676
C:\Windows\system32>fsutil fsinfo ntfsinfo d:
NTFS Volume Serial Number :       0x42f230acf230a657
Version :                         3.1
Number Sectors :                  0x000000003a344fff
Total Clusters :                  0x00000000074689ff
Free Clusters :                  0x0000000004cd1d59
Total Reserved :                  0x00000000000004f0
Bytes Per Sector :               512
Bytes Per Physical Sector :       512
Bytes Per Cluster :               4096
Bytes Per FileRecord Segment    : 1024
Clusters Per FileRecord Segment : 0
Mft Valid Data Length :           0x000000000d680000
Mft Start Lcn :                  0x00000000000c0000
Mft2 Start Lcn :                  0x0000000003d33dff
Mft Zone Start :                  0x00000000000cd680
Mft Zone End   :                  0x00000000000d0a80
RM Identifier:        ECA1E0C8-16BA-11E2-9D34-BC5FF45A168E
C:\Windows\system32>fsutil fsinfo ntfsinfo g:
NTFS Volume Serial Number :       0x3c2a8ca32a8c5c30
Version :                         3.1
Number Sectors :                  0x00000000e8dc7fff
Total Clusters :                  0x000000001d1b8fff
Free Clusters :                  0x0000000011a7dc88
Total Reserved :                  0x0000000000002180
Bytes Per Sector :               512
Bytes Per Physical Sector :       4096
Bytes Per Cluster :               4096
Bytes Per FileRecord Segment    : 1024
Clusters Per FileRecord Segment : 0
Mft Valid Data Length :           0x0000000002780000
Mft Start Lcn :                  0x00000000000c0000
Mft2 Start Lcn :                  0x0000000000000002
Mft Zone Start :                  0x00000000000c0e40
Mft Zone End   :                  0x00000000000cc840
RM Identifier:        9E8A90E7-BF88-11E4-B26E-BC5FF45A168E
C:\Windows\system32>

Suggestions for a Non Advanced Format HDD for Satellite L450-136

I need to replace the HDD on my Satellite L450-136 and am looking for one compatible with it. Straightforward you may think, but I have found out the hard way that the Advanced Format HDDs that are on the market today do not work with the L450's Recovery Disk (because the version of windows 7 on the disk does not have SP1 applied). I have been told by Toshiba that there is no way round this apart from purchasing a "compatible" HDD.
However, I am having trouble sourcing a replacement HDD that does not have AF. So does anyone have any suggestions for a reliable replacement HDD but *without* AF?

Thanks for your reply. Yes you are right, the HDDs on the market now with Advanced Formatting are compatible with the notebook. I tested this by downloading an ISO of Windows 7 with SP1 applied, and this installed and ran without any probs. The only fly in the ointment was that I would need to buy a new license to use this on a permanent basis as the Toshiba Prod Id wasn't accepted by Microsoft as valid. Ubuntu also installed and ran ok although I didn't really want to go down this route.
When you say about formatting the HD on another PC, I have to admit I didn't try this. However, I may be wrong in this, but wouldn't the successful installation of either Ubuntu or Windows 7 with SP1 have formatted the disk? If this is the case, then using Recovery Disk after this still didn't work and got the same error.

Lessons learned replacing ThinkPad HDD with an SSD

Installing a Samsung SSD on my 3 year old ThinkPad W510 was easy. Getting Windows 7 set up took me days.
Here are some lessons learned so you can do it faster.
Backup
Lenovo Rescue & Recovery will back up files to a USB 3.0 disk but it took 10+ hours and it put several files and folders at the top level. Can it back up multiple disks (HDD and SSD)? Probably not.
Backup
Windows 7 Backup & Restore doesn’t have those problems backing up data files but when trying to save a disk image to an external drive that’s > 2 TB (with 4K blocks), it runs for a while then fails. The generic error message and event log are not helpful, costing hours of debugging.
SSD “frozen”
Some web sites say that an SSD will perform better if you fully erase it before installing the OS, but when I tried to do this, the Samsung Magician software said the SSD was “frozen.” Apparently this is a confusing way to say it’s locked from erasure. Magician’s workaround recommendations didn’t help. Magician’s PDF guide has alternate workaround recommendations (like turning of AHCI mode in BIOS) but I didn’t find them soon enough.
Clone the HDD or install fresh?
Restoring Lenovo’s factory disk image onto the SSD (instead of cloning the HDD) fixed accumulated problems but it took several days of work and problem solving. (The HDD’s hidden SYSTEM_DRV partition was full. Did that cause some of the problems?)
How to over-provision the SSD
“Over-provisioning” boosts an SSD’s sustained write performance by allocating temporary space. The Samsung Magician program will set this up -- but not on a drive with the Lenovo_Recovery “Q:” partition. Moving and resizing C: and Q: with GParted Live didn’t solve this. Instead it made me start all over restoring the factory disk image and the Windows Updates and Lenovo Updates. The solution (thanks, Samsung’s phone tech support!) is to use GParted or Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition. All it needs is some unallocated space between partitions anywhere on the SSD. (Samsung recommends 10%.) You don’t have to do anything to allocate that space to the purpose.
Partition alignment
For speed, you want the partitions aligned on a 4096 byte boundary. GParted will align them on a MiB boundary, which is more than adequate.
Windows restore points
The Windows installer is supposed to make system restore points but I found it started out with a broken configuration. So open System Properties, the System Protection tab, and check the “available drives” for any drives labelled “... (Missing)”. Turn off “system protection” (restore points) for the “missing” drives, then turn it on for the real C:.
Faster updates
After restoring Lenovo’s factory disk image, you must iterate installing Windows Updates and Lenovo Updates over and over until there aren’t any more to install. Fortunately this is faster on an SSD than an HDD. Save more time by having only one user account and no password so Windows reboot won’t stop for login. Also watch the taskbar for license dialogs that open up behind other windows but require your clicks to proceed.
Watch for stuck updates
Lenovo Update quietly gets stuck updating Intel WiFi & WiMax software. The fix is to download those installers from lenovo.com, run them, get an error message that it can’t install over the existing software, uninstall the WiFi & WiMax software, then run the installers again.
Restore from backup, or not?
At key points, I made system disk image backups of the SSD to the old HDD and tried restoring from a backup after the failed repartitioning experiment. But Windows Backup and Restore won’t restore a system image after booting from the destination drive’s recovery partition nor from the source drive’s recovery partition. Since my backup was on the HDD in the Ultradrive bay, I couldn’t boot from the Rescue & Recovery CD. The workaround was to make a bootable System Repair disk on a 512 MB USB key. Windows Backup and Restore then failed with another meaningless error, “The parameter is incorrect. Code: 0x80070057.” Apparently you have to remove the USB key right before starting the system restore operation but that yielded the error, "No disk that can be used for recovering the system disk can be found." I’m not sure if that’s a symptom of removing the USB key or yet another problem with Windows Backup and Restore. Maybe it can’t restore to resized partitions? Windows Backup and Restore failed and burned hours of my time.
Fix the annoying request on bootup?
After you install Windows, all its updates, and Samsung Magician, you can use Magician to adjust system settings for SSD performance. Then you’ll find that Magician needs permission to “make changes to this computer” on every boot. Samsung tech support explained that you can then remove Magician from the startup list via msconfig.
Optimizations
Recomputing the “Windows Experience Index” might make the OS recognize the boot drive as an SSD and disable defrag for it. This didn’t work for me, so be sure to unschedule defrag. Also use msconfig to remove Digital Line Detect from the startup list and turn on “No GUI boot” (no Windows splash screen). Also use power plans Advanced Settings to never turn off the “hard disk.”
ThinkPad
Thumbs up. Easy to replace the HDD with an SSD and move the HDD into an Ultradrive caddy. Sturdy. Easy to work on. Well documented. Hardware that I didn't want to replace.
Microsoft Windows 7
Thumbs down. Buggy, fragile, over complicated, inadequate error messages, painstaking to install, difficult and time consuming to administer, poorly documented, accumulates gunk over time that causes problems, failed backup software, even a fresh install has scary event log errors.
Lenovo forums & support pages
Very helpful. Sometimes it's good to use Use Google to search them e.g. https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Alenovo.com+"over+provision"
Samsung 840 EVO SSD
Fine hardware. Some confusions around the Magician software. Great phone tech support. Web support doesn’t work.
References and more info
How To Geek, Lifehacker, Lifehacker, SSD Review, Newegg, Newegg, Anandtech, Storage Review.

I may have confused you: Lenovo provides two tools, 1) one makes DVDs that restore the original out-of-the-box factory image of the entire disk (i.e. System partition, C: + Q: partitions) and 2) Backup and Restore, which is the Lenovo user backup tool that does conventional full disk backups, i.e. with all user customizations, added programs and files. Since my system-generation-to-SSD saga hadn't created the the Q: partition correctly, my only alternative was to create a full up-t-date disk backup with the second Backup and Restore tool that include all the Windows + Lenovo updates, but didn't include extra programs and my user files. This fitted on 5 DVDs, which I will use if ever I reinstall the entire operating system.
Once you get above 100-150 GB of backup volume (I'm at 450 GB right now), the Lenovo Backup and Restore is very slow, so I use the much quicker Windows built-in Backup and Restore program to backup incrementally a system image and all files.

Qosmio X500-10W - Can I replace the HDD with another one?

Hello
I have a Qosmio X500-10W with two HDD Toshiba MK5055GSX 500GB 5400RPM 8MB ??SATA II but is one of hs so I wonder if I can be replaced by a more powerful style HDD 750GB 7200tr / min 16MB Toshiba course?
merci

Hey,
Your question is a little bit hard to understand but I think you want to replace the HDD with another (faster) model, right?
Well, thats no problem. HDDs with 7200rpm will work, they are a little bit louder but they are faster so if you need more performance no problem.
Also 750GB or more is no problem because SATA interface is not capacity limited. Theoretically 1TB or more should also work.
Anyway, you can buy the 750GB you mentioned it will work. :)

Do I have all the parts to replace my HDD with a new SSD on my Macbook (late 2008)?

Hey everyone, I am trying to figure out if have all the parts to replace my hdd with a new ssd on my macbook (late 2008 aluminum).
I just bought a crucial mx100 SSD and plan on replacing my mac HDD. I have the appropriate screwdrivers, and a bootable OSX on a usb drive. I also purchased a sabrent usb 2.0 to sata/ide hard drive adapter.
How do I replace and install OSX on my new SSD?
From what I read here are the steps I'm planning on taking.
1) Detach the old HDD
2) Attach new SSD.
3) Turn on computer and use the bootable usb drive to install OS X.
Does that work, I think I read somewhere about maybe formatting the SSD before I can use the bootable usb. Any input or help would be awesome. Thanks.
I'd prefer to do a clean install of yosemite and not carbon copy my old HDD

Hi Bradtk24,
On this site you will find the requirements for the physical change that you want to make.
These pages will give you insight into the processes required for the software side of things. It might be slightly dated, but the principles remain valid.
Have fun
Leo

Want to replace stock HDD with a 256GB SSD, have questions.

Hi All,
I am sure this has been asked a bunch of times, so forgive me if I ask again...
I have a late 2010 MBP (Model A1278). Currently the machine has 4gb of memory and a 256gb hard drive on it. The machine is starting to show its age and is slowing down considerably, so I was thinking of upgrading the memory to the max allowable 8gb, and swapping out the HDD with a nice 256gb SSD. What I am looking to find out is if I have daily time machine backups, can I just swap out the drives, reboot the machine into recovery mode and then select a TM backup to restore to this new drive?
My main concern with all of this is that I have been reading stories of people having to first create a partition on the SSD, then transferring over the TM backup, but I am not sure how I would set a partition when the drive itself is internal... Do I need to get an enclosure? Is there some other easy way to accomplish this? Is it even necessary?
My ultimate goal is this:
1. Open laptop
2. Replace memory
3. Replace hard drive with SSD
4. close laptop
5. Boot Laptop into recovery mode (Command + R)
6. Restore from Time Machine Backup
7. Select backup date
8. Restore finished.
9. Reboot Laptop into normal boot mode
10. Enjoy a slightly faster laptop
Thank all!!!

Unless you purchase your SSD from OWC your drive will have to be partitioned first. The OWC SSDs I've bought have already been partitioned and formatted for the Mac. Either way, unless you have another boot drive, you'll have to boot your computer with Internet recovery since you won't have a recovery partition until you've install the operating system. Here's how I've swapped out my hard drives for SSDs
place the SSD in an enclosure
I've always had an enclosure or bought one when I got the SSD so I could make the old internal drive into an external drive.
I typically use this new external drive as a clone backup for my computer
run Disk Utility to partition the drive
The trick is to delete the current single partition
Then click on the + symbol to make a new partition (GUID)
Format the drive
Download and install OS XThis will create the recovery partition
Swap out the SSD for the old HHD and reboot
While the computer boots put the old HHD in the external enclosure and plug it into the computer
Go thru the new owner setup and when asked if you want to setup the new computer say yes and choose the external as the sourceYou could also use the TimeMachine backup as your source but I find this is a bit slower than using the external drive
Depending on what software you have you may need to enter some serial numbers.

Replacing T420s HDD with a new SSD

Hello,
I wonderd if It is possible to replace the HDD with a new SSD, while placing the HDD in the Ultra-Bay slot.
And if so, which SSD model should I buy, and how do I transfer the Operation System and data to the SSD?
Will this SSD model be compatible?
Corsair Neutron Series 120GB SSD Sata III MLC 2.5 Inch Retail
Thank you so much,
Guy
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Corsair Force Series 3 Notebook Update Kit 120GB SATA III(6Gb/s) SSD Details :
WarrantyThree years
SSD Unformatted Capacity120 GB
Max Sequential R/W (ATTO)550 MB/s sequential read — 510 MB/s sequential write
Max Random 4k Write (IOMeter 08)85k IOPS (4k aligned)
InterfaceSATA 6Gb/s
TechnologyAsynchronous NAND
Form Factor 7mm high, 2.5 inch
DRAM Cache Memory No
Weight80g
Voltage5V ±5%
Power Consumption (active)2.0W Max
Power Consumption (idle/standby/sleep)0.5W Max
S.M.A.R.T. SupportYes
Shock1500 G
MTBF2,000,000 hours
Neutron Series 120GB SSD :
WarrantyFive years
SSD Unformatted Capacity120 GB
Max Sequential R/W (ATTO)555 MB/s sequential read — 211 MB/s sequential write
Max Random 4k Write (IOMeter 08)85k IOPS (4k aligned)
InterfaceSATA 6Gb/s
TechnologyNo
Form Factor2.5 inch
DRAM Cache MemoryNo
Weight.1kg
Voltage5V ±5%
Power Consumption (active)4.6W Max
Power Consumption (idle/standby/sleep)0.6W Max
S.M.A.R.T. SupportYes
Shock1500 G
MTBF2,000,000 hours
T420s 4170-CTO : i5 2520M, 6GB RAM, 320GB HDD(7200rpm).
Z60t 2513-MCU.

Hi ! I want to replace my hdd 750 gb with 512GB Micron RealSSD C400 Self-Encrypting 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD

Hi ! I want to replace my hdd 750 gb with 512GB Micron RealSSD C400 Self-Encrypting 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD in MacBook Pro ( 15-inch Late 2011 ) .
Change has advantages for the system? Thank you !

And why do you want to use the Self Encrypting style? OS X has a very good encyption system built into it, Filevault.
But anyway you can use that drive. Yes it will be much faster than the current drive installed.

A600 Replacing SATA HDD with SATA SSD

I have reviewed the current knowledge base materials, but don't see one directly tied to my problem. Appreciate any help received.
My current HDD has been making a lot of noise lately, at least much more than I have heard in the past. It's a little over 5 years old. I bought an Intel 730 series 240G SSD, and have tried to use that drive as my primary drive, replacing the current one. I used Intel's cloning software, which took a while, but appeared to be successful. My problem is that the BIOS does not recognize the new drive. Looking in the BIOS, my SATA drive 0 now shows "None", and the screen at power-up fails with "No Boot Filename received". Is there an issue with the BIOS not recognizing newer SSD's? I've read other inputs saying that people have been successful in powering up via new SSDs, so I thought it could be done. Anyone have any thoughts? Appreciate it.

Thanks Caveman31 for your thoughts. I checked the BIOS, and this model has very limited BIOS options, which don't include any options for SATA control. There are probably 1/2 of the options in my Lenovo A600 BIOS, then in my generic PC (ASUS motherboard) I put together a couple years ago. It has a menu option for SATA control, located in the "Main" tab of the BIOS screen.
Unless there are some other options, or a way to get more control with this BIOS, I won't be able to select between AHCI or IDE regarding the SATA control. Do you know if that's the only way for me to replace my HDD with a SSD for this computer?
Thanks for your help!

Replacing a laptop with Mac mini

I am looking into replacing an aging TOSHIBA Windows PC, and I need to get out of Windows World. I have been considering switching to the Mac mini. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into how good of an idea this is, given my situation.
The main reason I don't think I will be negatively affected by portability factor is that my current laptop rarely leaves my desk anyway (literally non-existent battery life, weight, and heat make it unbearable to use in any other place. I also have several other devices that are much more portable (Chromebook, iPad, phone).
I have also recently gotten into photo and video editing, and my experience using a mac for these tasks has been stellar.
Can anyone foresee any problems this might cause me other than the typical inconviniences that come up when upgrading computers or switching daily OSes? I like to think I've thought a decision like this through...

I recently did what you want to do but I replaced my HDD with a 512GB SSD and added 16GB RAM. I also have Paralles 8 with Win7 so I have the best of both worlds and the unit is runs great.

Replace PC desktop with a notebook (MacBook)?

Would I notice an appreciable loss of performance in LR if I replace a desktop PC with a low-end MacBook?
Or in other words
Is LR performance affected much by whether the catalogue is stored on a dedicated internal 7200RPM drive or a USB 2 external drive?
]Yes, I know this sort of thing gets asked all the time. But I have hunted around and haven't found what I am looking for (not helped by the pretty ordinary interface of this forum).
]And no, I'm not that interested in hearing "Macs rule, PCs suck"-type responses. This is probably more a question of "desktop with internal drives v. laptop with external drives", but if I am ever going to swap platforms now is probably the time, and I may as well provide all relevant information.
More info if necessary ...
I have a nine month old PC desktop that I use for LR, browsing, email, etc. 1.8GHz, 2GB RAM, 2x 320GB 7200rpm drives (one dedicated to photos and LR database), running XP Pro SP2, hooked up to a 22" Philips CRT.
I have a 25000-odd photo LR catalogue, with another 15000 photos waiting to be added.
If I get a MacBook I envisage mothballing the PC (too hard trying to keep two different computers in sync, let alone trying to constantly swap between two different OS's).
I would likely get the 2Ghz base model, immediately upgrade the RAM to 4GB, and replace the HDD with a 320GB model (all up cost about the same as the new mid-range model). I am keen to limit costs, and as the MacBook will simply sit on my desk, plugged into my existing CRT, for 98% of the time I don't think I can justify a MacBook Pro.
If the consensus is that purchasing a MacBook as a sole computer isn't such a good idea, then I'll probably get a cheap Dell laptop, with XP, for the few occasions I need the portability, and keep my existing desktop as my primary computer.
Is this a no-brainer, or is my caution justified?
Thanks in advance.

Thanks to all who didn't get too sidetracked for your help ;-)
I am currently typing this on my brand spanking new 2.4GB MBP*, ready to be hooked up to my twelve month old 22" CRT when I start using Lightroom with it. Yet to buy any external drives, but on the basis of what I read here, and a bit more fishing around on the web, I'm almost certainly going to go down the 3 1/2" route, using a physical cable connection.
Now just juggling (and comments certainly appreciated):
1)what connection? And user experience with USB2 v FW400 v FW800 (v ethernet v wireless v eSata)? USB2 drives seem considerably cheaper than FW, for real-world negligible differences. BUt haven't read, or at least recalled, any LR users comments on this
2) what capacity for secondary backup drive if employing Time Machine? (How much capacity over the actual space you might otherwise expect to fill in 12 months)
* After looking further into the Australian taxation system and the bids on 12 month-old second-hand MacBooks and MacBook Pros on eBay the decision to buy a Mac was pretty much made for me - I think I will be able to replace a MBP every year for small loss or even a gain for as long as the current system remains in place, and a considerable amount of the population remain ignorant of the taxation incentives to buy laptops.

Re: Toshiba M10: replacing 7k200 HDD with Advanced Format" 7K750 HDD

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