Especially if you routinely work with big files or require extra space for programs, upgrading the storage of a laptop is one of the finest methods to boost its performance and usability. I recently changed my Honor MagicBook 14 from a 512GB SSD to a 2TB SSD, and I would want to let you know how I managed to finish the operation successfully.

Step 1: Choosing the Right SSD

I had to decide on the right kind of SSD for my laptop before I bought anything. Since the Honor MagicBook 14 features an M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe SSD, I made sure the replacement drive fit these criteria. Following extensive investigation, I decided on the Black SN770 2TB NVMe SSD from Western Digital (WD), which boasts exceptional speed and dependability.

My old NVME SSD zoomed in. I had to be extra careful as the WD SSD didn’t have a return policy and it cost 11K INR!

Why WD BLACK SN770?

  • High Speed: PCIe 4.0 x4 (backward compatible with PCIe 3.0)
  • Capacity: 2TB (a massive upgrade from 512GB)
  • Endurance: 1200 TBW, ensuring longevity
  • Reliable Brand: Western Digital has a strong reputation for quality SSDs

Step 2: Preparing for the Upgrade

I had to clone my current SSD to make sure all of my files, Windows installation, and apps stayed unaltered as I was replacing my main storage drive.

Tools Needed:

  • Screwdriver set (to open the laptop and remove the SSD)
  • External SSD enclosure (to connect the new SSD via USB for cloning)
  • Cloning software (I used Macrium Reflect Free)

Step 3: Cloning My Existing SSD

  1. Installed the new SSD into an external SSD enclosure.
  2. Connected the new SSD to my laptop via USB.
  3. Launched Macrium Reflect and selected “Clone this disk” option.
  4. Selected my old SSD as the source drive and the new SSD as the destination.
  5. Started the cloning process, which took about 30 minutes.
  6. Verified the data after cloning was complete.

Step 4: Physically Replacing the SSD

  1. Shut down the laptop and unplugged it from the charger.
  2. Opened the laptop back panel by removing the screws (using a Phillips screwdriver).
  3. Located the M.2 SSD slot, which housed the existing YMTC PC210-512GB-B SSD.
  4. Unscrewed and carefully removed the old SSD from its slot.
  5. Installed the new WD BLACK SN770 2TB SSD in the same M.2 slot.
  6. Secured the SSD with the screw and closed the back panel.
  7. Powered on the laptop and ensured that the system booted up normally.

Step 5: Post-Upgrade Optimization

After installing the new SSD, I checked the storage status in Windows:

  • Verified the 2TB capacity in Disk Management.
  • Installed Western Digital Dashboard to monitor drive health and firmware updates.

Performance Boost Observations:

  • Boot times improved slightly due to faster read/write speeds.
  • More space for applications, games, and projects.
  • Improved performance when handling large files and software like Android Studio.

Final Thoughts

Moving from 512GB to 2TB was easy and satisfying. My Honor MagicBook 14 fits the WD BLACK SN770 exactly, and I upgraded in less than an hour overall. Should you be thinking of a comparable update, make sure the components are handled carefully, utilize appropriate cloning tools, and check compatibility.

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