Tag: SSD Upgrade

  • ThinkPad E14 G7: 14-inch Office Laptop with 2 SSD & RAM Slots

    ThinkPad E14 G7: 14-inch Office Laptop with 2 SSD & RAM Slots

    Key Takeaways

    1. Maintenance choices for consumer laptops are mainly limited to SSD upgrades due to soldered RAM on motherboards.
    2. The new Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G7 features SO-DIMM slots, allowing RAM upgrades up to 128GB with Arrow Lake processors.
    3. The E14 G7 includes an extra M.2 2280 slot for secondary SSD, enhancing storage options.
    4. Upcoming models with Lunar Lake processors will not support RAM upgrades or additional SSD slots due to integrated memory.
    5. Battery capacity and cooling performance are expected to remain unchanged in the Lunar Lake variant.

    When discussing consumer laptops, it’s generally understood that maintenance choices are mostly restricted to the SSD. This is because the memory is frequently soldered directly onto the motherboard or integrated into the processor, as seen with Intel’s recent Lunar Lake processors. This pattern has also extended to business laptops in the past few years, providing some benefits since SO-DIMM modules take up less room on the motherboard. Lenovo’s ThinkPad line has models that feature either 8GB or 16GB of soldered RAM along with an additional SO-DIMM slot for memory upgrades.

    A Shift in Trend

    The new ThinkPad E14 G7, which is one of Lenovo’s more budget-friendly office options, has turned this trend upside down. Specifically, the Intel setup with the latest Arrow Lake processors comes with SO-DIMM slots. This advancement allows the RAM to be increased to as much as 128GB in certain configurations. Additionally, the E14 G7 is well-provided for in terms of SSD capacity. Besides the shorter M.2 2242 slot filled by the default SSD, there’s another complete M.2 2280 slot available for a secondary solid-state drive.

    Variants and Limitations

    Nonetheless, this feature isn’t available across all versions of the ThinkPad E14 G7. In a few weeks, another model utilizing Lunar Lake processors will be released alongside the Arrow Lake version we reviewed. As the memory is integrated into the processor, the upgrade option will be lost. Moreover, that variant will not feature an extra SSD slot, as it comes with just a single M.2 2280 slot. The battery capacity also won’t be increased, and we don’t anticipate any notable enhancements in cooling performance due to the lower power limits of the Lunar Lake CPUs, meaning there may be a lot of unutilized space. We expect to evaluate that version in a few weeks.

     

    ThinkPad E14 G7: 14-inch Office Laptop with 2 SSD & RAM SlotsThinkPad E14 G7: 14-inch Office Laptop with 2 SSD & RAM SlotsThinkPad E14 G7: 14-inch Office Laptop with 2 SSD & RAM Slots

     

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  • Lexar NQ780: New PCIe 4×4 SSD for Gamers and Creators

    Lexar NQ780: New PCIe 4×4 SSD for Gamers and Creators

    Key Takeaways

    1. Lexar’s NQ780 SSD is designed for both business and gaming, offering a balance of performance and practicality.
    2. The NQ780 features SLC cache technology for improved performance and low latency, despite having lower read/write speeds than the NM1090 Pro.
    3. The NQ780 is significantly more affordable, priced at $79.99 for 1TB compared to the NM1090 Pro’s $179.99.
    4. The NQ780 does not require additional PCIe 5.0 components, making it easier to upgrade.
    5. Larger storage options are available for the NQ780 at competitive prices, with a 4TB version costing $289.99, while the NM1090 Pro is more expensive for similar capacities.

    Lexar is promoting the NQ780 as a new SSD that combines performance with practicality, suggesting it is the perfect upgrade for laptops used for both business and gaming. With its sleek and low-profile design, it also features Intelligent Power Control capabilities. The M.2 2280 drive is equipped with SLC cache technology, which aims to minimize latency and boost performance.

    Performance Metrics

    While the NQ780 may have read and write speeds rated at about half of its more advanced sibling, the NM1090 Pro—which reaches up to 14,000MB/s read and 13,000MB/s write—it comes with a significantly lower price tag. Moreover, it doesn’t necessitate the acquisition of additional PCIe 5.0-compatible components.

    Pricing Comparison

    In fact, the NM1090 Pro has just become available on Amazon in a 1TB version, priced at $179.99. In contrast, the NQ780 offers the same capacity for only $79.99.

    For those looking for larger storage, the PCIe 4 drive is available for $149.99 at 2TB, while the NM1090 Pro of the same size goes for $269.99. Additionally, the NQ780 is offered in a 4TB version at $289.99, which is not an option with Lexar’s “professional” PCIe 5.0 alternative.

    Source:
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  • 2024 Apple Mac Mini: Removable SSD but Hard to Upgrade

    2024 Apple Mac Mini: Removable SSD but Hard to Upgrade

    Apple has launched the 2024 Mac mini, now equipped with improved hardware, including the powerful M4 Pro chip. This model is also the smallest mini PC that Apple offers in its range. However, to get a good amount of storage, you’ll have to spend a significant amount more.

    Upgradeability Concerns

    Recent investigations into the 2024 M4 Mac mini reveal that the SSD is not soldered onto the daughter board. This suggests that users might be able to upgrade the storage themselves, but the actual situation is more complex. The storage module is proprietary and resembles the ones previously used in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

    Thus, it’s not simply a matter of swapping in any third-party M.2 SSD for a cheaper storage upgrade on the Mac mini (for example, a 2 TB Samsung 990 EVO currently costs $129.99 on Amazon). Additionally, MacRumors has pointed out that the NAND controller is likely integrated into Apple’s system-on-chip (SoC). Yet, there remains some possibility for upgrades.

    Potential for Upgrades

    A user on X, @ohgkg, mentioned that repair technicians in China managed to enhance the 256 GB version of the 2024 Mac mini to 2 TB by changing the NAND chips. This process isn’t feasible for the typical user since it demands specialized soldering skills and tools. Therefore, even though upgrading is pricey, opting for the SSD modules offered by Apple may be the more convenient choice.

    Performance Insights

    Another intriguing discovery from the teardowns indicates that even the base model of the 2024 Mac mini comes equipped with an SSD module containing two NAND chips. When compared to a single chip module of 256 GB, this setup should provide enhanced transfer speeds.

    Sources include The Verge, MacRumors, and TechRadar.

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  • Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD Nearing Launch, New Patent Suggests

    Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD Nearing Launch, New Patent Suggests

    Samsung has recently submitted a trademark application for “990 EVO Plus” to the Korea Industrial Property Information Service Center (KIPRIS), as indicated by a report dated June 19th. This move hints at a forthcoming enhancement to the company’s well-regarded 990 EVO solid-state drive (SSD).

    Expected Enhancements

    Samsung’s EVO Series SSDs are celebrated for their excellent balance between performance and durability, making them a favored option among both everyday users and professionals. The existing 990 EVO features notable read/write speeds and power efficiency, attributes that are expected to see further improvements in the new Plus model.

    Trademark Details

    The trademark application covers storage products including USB flash drives, NAND flash memories, and SSDs. This strongly suggests that “990 EVO Plus” will be an upgraded SSD within Samsung’s EVO series.

    Interestingly, Samsung has also applied for a trademark for “9100 PRO.” Although this trademark is categorized under storage and semiconductor products, it doesn’t align with Samsung’s typical naming conventions for consumer-grade storage solutions. The exact purpose behind the “9100 PRO” trademark is still unclear.

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