

They’re more expensive than other versions of solid-state drives but deliver the best bang for the buck. PCIe SSDs are the fastest types of drives and are commonly marketed toward users who require top performance at all times, such as gamers or content creators. They’re considered a bit slower than other SSD counterparts but will still speed up a computer that’s using an HDD significantly. They come in different form factors but the most common is 2.5″ as it can be used in both new and old computers. SATA SSDs are extremely common and can be found in both laptops and desktop computers. Let’s take a quick look at the different versions. If that’s the case, you can purchase an adapter to connect your SSD. The difference is important to note because your motherboard may or may not host a slot for the different variations of drives. Now, as I vaguely mentioned earlier, the slot on the computer’s motherboard must be the right standard in order for the SSD to work. While researching the web to find answers on the topic, I found that users who weren’t keen on purchasing additional parts had come up with another solution they mounted their solid-state drives in the 3.5″ slot and put duct tape around it to prevent it from moving around. Simply connect the solid-state drive to the adapter and then put the adapter with its tray in the 3.5″ slot. You can purchase an adapter like this one to hold your solid-state drive (which requires a 2.5″ slot) in place even if the computer has a 3.5″ socket. If your computer doesn’t come with two options, don’t fret. They’re usually adjustable slots that can be opened up or closed to fit both form factors. However, it’s not unusual for a desktop computer to come with mounting slots for both 2.5 and 3.5″ form factors. The most common form factor is 2.5″ for both desktop and laptop computers.

Note: It’s important that the slot is of the matching version. Having the proper size will ensure that your drive is mounted properly and safely, and while that’s an idea that I endorse fully, it’s worth knowing that there are workarounds. This gives drives a bit more leeway than other components.īecause the size of the slot doesn’t NEED to be perfect in order for the drive to function. In desktop computers, most components are connected to the computer through their respective slot on the motherboard, but both hard and solid-state drives are connected to the motherboard with cables. The difference between the laptop and desktop sockets is the actual form and size of those sockets or slots. They are a part of both laptop and desktop computers’ structure. Sockets can be found on the motherboard and inside the chassis.

Computers have a bunch of different sockets designed to hold each of the computer’s components in place. The primary difference I can think of is the size and type of the computer’s sockets. The actual solid-state drive used in a laptop and a desktop computer are similar to one another, but there are different types that create a bit of variation. They are very similar to one another and can be used interchangeably but a few minor adjustments need to be made in certain situations. Is There Any Difference Between SSD For Laptops and Desktop Computers?Įasily put, there are close to no limiting differences between the two components. There are a few things you should keep in mind when moving disks interchangeably between the two, such as ensuring that they’re compatible.Ĭontinue reading as we’ll go through everything you need to know in order to do the swap with as much ease as possible. The form factor doesn’t refer to the drive’s physical measurement of width or height, but the size of the computer’s slot. Today, most desktop computers and laptops have a 2.5″ and/or 3.5″ drive slot and are either SATA, M.2, or PCIe.Ĭomputers that only have 3.5″ slots can still hold 2.5″ solid-state drives by using an adapter. You can use SSD disks interchangeably between the two types of computers as long as they have the same type of interface/slot. There’s no major difference between a solid-state drive used in a laptop and one used in a desktop computer. And if so, what’s the difference between them? Now, because the shape of an SSD is different, you might be wondering if you can use leftover SSD disks from your desktop computer in your laptop, or vice versa. With older HDDs, you could tell by simply looking at them that one used in a desktop computer could never fit in a laptop. Performance, method of operating, and shape are just a few things that separate solid-state drives from hard disk drives. Solid state drives are the successor to the hard disk drive, and they’re different in many ways.
